Altec 421 woofer

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Originally Posted by Cal Weldon

The 421-8LF is a bass driver and it has been used in place of the 416 or 515 for professional use. I am thinking of the 828 cabinet. There is the A7 and there is 1236.

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True but...there isn't a whole lot of difference between an LF and regular 421. I don't think 421 LF replacement parts are available. GPA may be able to make up something.

It's a bit better than a standard 421. but not as nice as a 416. More comparable sound wise to a 3156. The regular 421's were also used in MI A7's.

The 421, regular or LF sounds very good in a properly tuned box. But regardless, it won't reach as low as a 416B will. I've measured.

However, with the current trend of a sub below 100 or so, it becomes a moot point.

We used to add a larger paper dome over the 421's aluminum one. The net result is a slight drop in resonance and efficiency, and a slight gain in LF extension.
Also eliminates or at least reduce artifacts from the aluminum dome.


It becomes pretty close, so close I think a 421 LF just has a slightly heavier coil.

Old Guy: the 515/416 are hi-fi speakers, the 421 is a MI. The 515 & 416 should beat the 421 in terms of reaching down to the lows, but the 421 can handle way more power, I think Altec rates the 421 at 150 watts, and the 515 & 416 at 75 watts?

voice of the theater: I wasn't there to see the actual "pyro-techniques," I was there only after the fact. There was a blacken grille clothe on the speaker where the center of the woofer, and my friend had to sheepishly explain to me that it caught on fire when he used to for his guitar.

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Originally Posted by Ronald Lee

Ruggedized = higher temp glues and for the voice coil, and stiffer cone to take the more violent excursion of musical instrument speakers. I was wondering is the speaker based on a 515 or 416 magnet structure/frame. I've heard that some musical instrument speakers are based on the company's hi-fi speakers.

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There is a 515-GHP....... The HP stands for high power, I believe. That would probably fit the bill for ruggedized.

Audio_by_Goodwill: But it is still a hi-fi speaker and not a mI speaker.

From memory, the 421-8H Series II is the highest power handling of all the 421 units.

Replace the shiny dustcap with a vented paper one, slap a piece of duct tape over the vent on the back of the magnet, and 95% of the population(audiophools included) won't have a clue they're not listening to a genuine alnico 416 or 515. In fact, i'd be very surprised if many of the altec experts could pick the 421 in a blind test without the aluminum dome in place.

Just my .02.........................

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Originally Posted by Ronald Lee

Audio_by_Goodwill: But it is still a hi-fi speaker and not a mI speaker.

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I wonder if PA is a better term than MI? Is it used as a guitar speaker or is it more a stage monitor/sound reinforcement unit?

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Originally Posted by bowtie427ss

i'd be very surprised if many of the altec experts could pick the 421 in a blind test without the aluminum dome in place.

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Very interesting. I would like to be there for that comparison and I'm guessing others would as well. I think the 825/828 cabinet would be a good starting point. Too bad we don't live closer together or we could arrange that for this weekend. :)

I think I might be able to pick out a 421, but not because of the LF extension...there are noticeable differences in the upper bass...actually in some ways the 421 may well sound slightly better in that area.

The 421 WAS widely used as a bass guitar unit, Acoustic, Sunn and others bought them OEM. At least early, way more used that way. AFAIK only Altec used them OEM for PA, but then Altec probably sold as may as all those manufacturers put together.

I do not mean to imply the 421 is a bad unit. It isn't. There is also a later 921. I am pretty certain it is a refinement of the 421. Have been told it has slightly less LF, but have never tested a pair.

The 416 will go at least 10 Hz or so lower though. Might be an issue for some. But as bfish says, for 90%, a moot point.

And with subs, honestly the 421 may be a better mid bass. I do not like it as well in horns, at least the truncated A7. I think it would perform MUCH better in say, an 815. Now there is a mid bass system...:D

http://www.lansingheritage.org/image...closures08.jpg

With the tendency toward higher crossover points the 421 may come back into favor. But for now they can be had at bargain rates for the performance.

I see the 815 cabinet was available with either driver and the specs available for the day were remarkably similar.