Altec 604 E reconing options.

**cradeldorf** · November 19th, 2011, 11:00 PM

FWIW I have always felt my "C" sounded better than my "E".

GM · November 20th, 2011, 01:18 AM

Interesting, can you be more specific? I don't recall ever being 'up close' to a C or D, jumping from a well used B in an original A5 used for school PA apps to another person's E that I got to try in different cab loadings.

**charly1944** · November 20th, 2011, 06:07 AM

Thanks for the info.Which type of cabinets and crossover do you use?Have they got original cones/diaphragms or are they reconed with GPA cones?Are you using a sug with them?Any body knows what the reference D I&#39 means for a 604 D?

**cradeldorf** · November 20th, 2011, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by GM

Interesting, can you be more specific? I don't recall ever being 'up close' to a C or D, jumping from a well used B in an original A5 used for school PA apps to another person's E that I got to try in different cab loadings.

I can't say that my E is in perfect order although Bill said it was at GPA, and when Listening to both, the C has always seemed like it seems brighter, like the cone is making the sound more effortlessly than the E is. I'm not sure what's different besides the surrounds on them whether there is something different in the windings or not I don't know. overall it seems louder?/clearer and brighter than the E.

**cradeldorf** · November 20th, 2011, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by charly1944

Thanks for the info.Which type of cabinets and crossover do you use?Have they got original cones/diaphragms or are they reconed with GPA cones?Are you using a sug with them?Any body knows what the reference D I&#39 means for a 604 D?

I built some cabs they're on here. I'm running the GPA N-1600 crossovers and my speakers both have the original cones the c has the original phram the E's was replaced by Bill. Nope no sub, not needed my house damn near shakes off it's foundation. Currently running a Harman Kardon 3390 ss amp/ receiver. and a nady equalizer. sounds pretty impressive.

GM · November 20th, 2011, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by cradeldorf

the C has always seemed like it seems brighter

Seems reasonable, what with its higher Fs, i.e. less moving mass, though I figured Altec would have tried harder to maintain its tone a bit closer between models.

GM

**cradeldorf** · November 21st, 2011, 01:20 AM

Originally Posted by GM

Seems reasonable, what with its higher Fs, i.e. less moving mass, though I figured Altec would have tried harder to maintain its tone a bit closer between models.

GM

Less moving mass and technically larger cone. The surround on the C is not near as large as the accordion surround of the E. I would also bet there could be a noticeable difference because there is so much less coating on the C's surround as opposed to how much is stuck in the grooves of the E's accordion design, weighing it down. I thought maybe they went to the accordion design in an effort to be able to claim the ability to handle more watts? which is pretty much what was happening at the time. everybody was going into the "I need more power" age. or they thought it was a better choice for the Solid State age.

**cradeldorf** · November 21st, 2011, 02:23 AM

Jim D sums it up pretty good in this old thread.

http://www.hostboard.com/forums/f700...on-needed.html

**juniper** · November 21st, 2011, 10:16 AM

Very interesting discussion, It amazes me how many different opinions people have about their Altecs and those that have heard Altecs. Altecs Best it suprises me to hear that you think your 604's aren't as fast as your 416's. My experience, is the opposite. My 604's were reconed and remaged at GPA and seem to be much quicker than my 416b's. These also, were tested by GPA and one has one of their new cones, the other which was origanal was fine. Per the previous owner he demanded that the 416's be matched as closely as possible and Bill said that there was no need to replace the old cone to match. I think I will buy a 416 off ebay to see if it helps out the 19's.

**Altec Best** · November 21st, 2011, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by juniper

Very interesting discussion, It amazes me how many different opinions people have about their Altecs and those that have heard Altecs. Altecs Best it suprises me to hear that you think your 604's aren't as fast as your 416's.

Well let me explain a bit, maybe "wasn't as fast" was the wrong analogy.Don't get me wrong I love my 604G's that are practically brand new very low mileage.They are pristine WRT the cones and HF diaphragms.I bought them from a defunct Church TV studio that was only in operation for 5 years from mid/late seventies to the early eighties.They were mounted in the control room in 612C cabs.Cabs only have a few blemishes on them where the cabs were painted black on the sides that were mounted away from the wall and holes drilled for the hardware.And the usual surround dope that dripped down onto the cabs.They also came with the circumferential phase plugs.loading caps and the 23744 Diaphragms.They sound real nice the clarity is astonishing.But WRT to the bass I just felt they didn't go as low or as tight as a 416 which btw is my favorite woofer 416B.To be fair though they were with the stock XO's

My 19's have rebuilt XO's that improved the overall performance dramatically so I suspect the same for the 604's when I get around to it.Just what I need another Altec project !