Altec 604 E reconing options.

[cradeldorf]

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]

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

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

[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. 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]

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 !

[charly1944]

Hello,
Yesterday night i woke up at 4.15 in the morning (Paris time) for something exciting: I finally won the auction for a pair of 604 D .The speakers will be soon on their way to GPA to be restored . From what i read here from Cradeldorf as well as (indirectly ) from Ken Shindo the original paper cones together with paper surround used in the C and early D models sound smoother than the late D and E models with the accordeon type model . If i am lucky,GPA will have a pair of those left.If not i will go anyway with their new cone with accordeon surround.
I noticed that about 5 mm of front of the mouth of the hi freq horns were filed down.I dont know for what reason that was done and wether it has an impact on the sound . Anybody aware of this kind of practices?
If you were in my situation (listening to classical music and jazz in a rather small room and more interested in the subtelty of the music than in deep bass or high power handling)what would you ask Bill to concentrate on for optimal restoration ? GM,Jeff,does it help to ask GPA to measure the specs of the restored speakers for optimal cabinets building and crossover design.

[cradeldorf]

Hello,
Yesterday night i woke up at 4.15 in the morning (Paris time) for something exciting: I finally won the auction for a pair of 604 D .The speakers will be soon on their way to GPA to be restored . From what i read here from Cradeldorf as well as (indirectly ) from Ken Shindo the original paper cones together with paper surround used in the C and early D models sound smoother than the late D and E models with the accordeon type model . If i am lucky,GPA will have a pair of those left.If not i will go anyway with their new cone with accordeon surround.
I noticed that about 5 mm of front of the mouth of the hi freq horns were filed down.I dont know for what reason that was done and wether it has an impact on the sound . Anybody aware of this kind of practices?
If you were in my situation (listening to classical music and jazz in a rather small room and more interested in the subtelty of the music than in deep bass or high power handling)what would you ask Bill to concentrate on for optimal restoration ? GM,Jeff,does it help to ask GPA to measure the specs of the restored speakers for optimal cabinets building and crossover design.

Hopefully if the cones look fine Bill won't replace them, Just remag them,you'll be happier if he doesn't, Original cones are much nicer for resale If it ever comes to that. Last I heard original cones were gone long ago. Not sure what you mean by filed down? Both of my horns have file marks in them, My guess is it was to remove casting lines in the plastic to smooth them out. There is a pair of E's on Ebay that somebody hacked the center of the horns out to make them kinda like a manta ray...bad Idea if you ask me. I hope that's not what your talking about. Good luck on them My guess is your gonna be crazy happy when you get them and hear them for the first time.

[charly1944]

Hi Cradeldorf and thanks for your reply,
Actually i was on the point to try to send you a mail when i saw your post.Unfortunately,the pictures of the drivers show that the LF cones should be changed.I know it is a pity but i am affraid there is no other solution.Actually,i paid both drivers a little bit more than 400 USD so i cannot expect miracles .I guess the HF diaphrams may have to be changed as well.Bill will tell me.Regarding the horns,they have been shortened at the mouth level by 0.5 to 1 cm.I speculate that this was done because the previous users were front mounting the speakers and trying to make sure that the front of the mouth do not touch the protective grille.Apparently GPA have an original pair of cross sectionnal horns(the one used on the C,D,E,G...models).I guess after restoration,they should be fine.I will ask Bill to use the low handling power diaphragms,cones and the lightest available moving mass.
I was very interested in your comments regarding your 604 C.With crossover are you using,a stock 1600 X over or another one .What type and size of cabinets do you use?Since it is my first Altec project i am looking for guidance.Yours will be appreciated.Did you finally buy the beautifull 604 D,paper surround which was on sale on the site?