Buy them now $18,000.00

**Audio_by_Goodwill** · December 30th, 2011, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by Old Guy

I do think the boxes in this auction were stripped and the duplexes added, so a nice set of furniture is being used to palm of a forgettable set of speakers for top dollar. In my world, unethical. But caveat emptor applies.

Could you please explain?....... I don't understand the "forgettable set of speakers". I thought 604s of any letter designation where highly regarded?

**juniper** · December 30th, 2011, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by Audio_by_Goodwill

Could you please explain?....... I don't understand the "forgettable set of speakers". I thought 604s of any letter designation where highly regarded?

I think the latter ones might be a little better???? The only reason I say this is that to this day many a recording studio still use them. Check out what Jean Hiraga has done with some of the latter model 604's.

**cradeldorf** · December 30th, 2011, 08:48 PM

I would bet the earlier ones were better sounding. Just my $.02

**VolvoHeretic** · December 30th, 2011, 10:49 PM

Hey, for what it is worth, you guys low brow my new Altecs, but even though I still don't know what compression driver they have, they still sound like Altecs and still sound great...!!!?????

**Altec Best** · December 31st, 2011, 12:24 AM

Originally Posted by VolvoHeretic

Hey, for what it is worth, you guys low brow my new Altecs,

Say What ?? Low Brow ? VH what are you talking about ?

**Steve Schell** · December 31st, 2011, 02:05 AM

I have been enjoying the passing parade of gear on ebay and the ups and downs of pricing for over a decade now. Some things in good supply like Altec ceramic 515s and JBL 075 tweeters have hardly changed in value while more rare items are all over the place, though mostly up. Most of the Western Electric items have skyrocketed in value due to scarce supply and constant overseas demand. A dealer told me that thirty years ago he bought 555 drivers for $25 and tried to export them for $75. Now they are bringing upwards of $5k and beyond. Altec's ancestors, the Lansing field coil gear, is considerably more rare and hard to price, though generally bringing five to ten times what it sold for a decade ago. Part of the current nuttiness is probably due to the weak US dollar compared to foreign currencies.

**magnarc** · December 31st, 2011, 02:25 AM

Steve, spot on.

**bowtie427ss** · December 31st, 2011, 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by Altec Best

Say What ?? Low Brow ? VH what are you talking about ?

I'm hoping that we're just misunderstanding him or something. I rather admire those A8 clones with the 418's in them.

VH, i hope you haven't taken anything i've said as a put down. If that's the case, please accept my apologies and put it out in the open for clarification/explanation, or PM me if you'd rather.

**Nipper** · December 31st, 2011, 12:20 PM

VH,

You really can not have a good discussion about audio equipment without allowing someone to criticize.
You will learn a lot like that but what ultimately matters is how your system sounds to YOU.

I have heard enough systems in different places to know you need more than good speakers for them to sound great. Although the speakers ultimately do the "talking", your ears, your room acoustics and your equipment will all have a effect. Sometimes you get that sweet combination and sometimes you dont. What works for some might not work for others.

There are some good people in this forum with a lot of experience. Keep an open mind and enjoy the conversation!