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Thread: 615a duplex

  1. #1
    Inactive Member Kercher's Avatar
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    615a duplex

    Yesterday I went and looked a pair of 615a duplex speakers that I guy was selling. They were very light grey colored like a 604E, had smaller magnets like a 605, half round paper surrounds like a 604C, and a huge phalic shaped phase plug instead of a horn. The guy had no clue what they were, wanted to use them as car stereo speakers but didn't think they sounded right. No surprise since there was no crossover network for either driver. The coils were all OK, but I passed on them. I already have two pairs of duplexes, and figured without crossovers they wouldn't bring much if I wanted to flip them. Not to mention it's a pain to pack and ship duplexes. They are kinda big to store in the closet... But at $100 for the pair I keep second guessing myself. Maybe I should go back. Is there anyone out there that has listened to the 615 and compared it to other 604 models? Maybe I just need support from an AA member (Altecs Anonymous).
    Dan

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    Senior Hostboard Member aditya's Avatar
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    Inactive Member David Yost's Avatar
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    Re: 615a duplex

    Here is some more info -- looks like a good candidate for a full range project with an added super-tweeter perhaps.

    http://www.altecpro.com/pdfs/vintage...%20Speaker.pdf

    If they are in working order and you can still buy them for $100, I don't see how you could go wrong. I bet Bill at GPA could rebuild them as 605E's if you so desired.

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    Senior Hostboard Member bowtie427ss's Avatar
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    Re: 615a duplex

    So long as the seller hadn't damaged them, i'd have been happy with just the pair of HF diaphragms at a 100 entry fee.

    If they could be rebuilt as 605B's, the total cost would be less than half what 40+ year old 605B's typically sell for, and they could be fitted with a modern(improved?) type horn at the time of rebuild.

    I would not leave any working pair of Altec duplexes behind when the asking price is gas money or less.

    Just my .02......................
    Not all vegetables make good leaders.

  5. #5
    HB Super Moderator
    615a duplex


    Altec Best's Avatar
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    Re: 615a duplex

    Quote Originally Posted by bowtie427ss View Post
    so long as the seller hadn't damaged them, i'd have been happy with just the pair of hf diaphragms at a 100 entry fee.

    If they could be rebuilt as 605b's, the total cost would be less than half what 40+ year old 605b's typically sell for, and they could be fitted with a modern(improved?) type horn at the time of rebuild.

    I would not leave any working pair of altec duplexes behind when the asking price is gas money or less.

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

    +1

  6. #6
    Inactive Member whitebroncoii's Avatar
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    Re: 615a duplex

    The 615 was an attempt to make a ceiling speaker out of the 605. The 604/605 have very narrow coverage patterns that will not cover much ground when pointed straight down from the ceiling. The strange tear-drop thingy was supposed to deliver a very wide pattern. I have never listened to one and it probably was too expensive for ceiling applications. I think it was only around a short while.
    Experience is Knowledge

  7. #7
    Inactive Member Kercher's Avatar
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    Re: 615a duplex

    Yeah, I have seen those for sale on the bay, but they seem to have been up forever. The ones I checked out were a lot dingier, and without crossovers. Hadn't thought about rebuilding them into 605s. Uggg, you guys are killing me. Guess I need to clear out some space and call him back...
    Dan



    Quote Originally Posted by aditya View Post

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    Senior Hostboard Member gearfreak's Avatar
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    Re: 615a duplex

    Old Guy had some input on them, having had a pair, IIRC.
    Try searching for posts by him with 615 / 615a as the keyword.

  9. #9
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    615a duplex


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    Re: 615a duplex

    A while back- I did find the 12 kHz rolloff is built into the xover, It was pretty easy to defeat, IIRC, of course with no overs...build a nice set.

    They sound pretty darn good actually, at least on axis. I actually like them better than 605's. I do believe the horn can be changed out for the newer Mantaray. Not sure I would bother, the big ugly horn didn't bother me.
    Your neighbors called. They like your music.

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