model 15's - $250 (Crown point, In)

[bowtie427ss]

The Model 14 and the 9842 used the same woofer.The 15 is different,but very similar and the reason for the misconception I believe.

I am told "unofficially" by a former employee that the 14 woofer(9842, and LF1 also) is an improved version of the 33785 that was used in the series II versions of 15, santana 2, stonehenge 2, model 8, and model 9. It has a larger motor, and is supposed to be a couple db more sensitive with nearly twice the power handling.

9842 is a studio monitor by design plain and simple. That a studio chooses a more luxurious and expensive finish to match room decor does not change the application, design, or engineering of the speaker system. The model 14 is the "home version" of the 9842, whether it's the painted or veneered version.

Not trying to be argumentive with AB, but there is simply nothing about an attractive veneer and finish in and of themselves that designates ANY speaker as a home model.

The mid-late 70's Altec speaker systems who's designs and engineering were based on studio monitors and marketed for home use are the 14, 15, 17, 18, and 19. The 17's and 18's are the only models i'm aware of that had no significant differences between the home and studio versions beyond their assigned model designations.

[Altec Best]

[QUOTE]

I am told "unofficially" by a former employee that the 14 woofer(9842, and LF1 also) is an improved version of the 33785

I guess we won't be able to debate that one.

9842 is a studio monitor by design plain and simple.

Agreed !

That a studio chooses a more luxurious and expensive finish to match room decor does not change the application, design, or engineering of the speaker system. The model 14 is the "home version" of the 9842, whether it's the painted or veneered version.

The model 14 was a lot more expensive than a walnut version 9842.And I'll bet that most of the walnut 9842's ended up in homes as a cheaper alternative.Not many Folks (wives) like theater gray cabs in their living room.I think the 9842 was already established as a great studio monitor.By adding walnut veneer I also think that Altec hoped they would garner some home sales as well for people who may not have had the room or cash for a model 14.Have we ever seen things used for other things than what they were designed for originally ? So my post saying that it was for home sale exclusively. I was Wrong ! However my point was that with the Walnut veneer it made it much more attractive to the home market as well.

Not trying to be argumentive with AB,

Hmmm ??? I didn't notice !

[bowtie427ss]

Not many Folks (wives) like theater gray cabs in their living room.

I think, if you study all the most preferred studio monitors, that the time came when production and mastering engineers got sick of the industrial look too.

To get the best work out of these folks, they need to be made comfortable, and part of that comfort came from a classier/dressier appearance in the workplace(studio and control room).

It is also a marketing tool in that the better dressed your facility is, the more likely it is to be noticed by headline artists looking for a business to handle their recording/mastering needs.

"Oh look, they splurged for the walnut version of those monitors" gives the artist the impression that the studio has gone to great lengths to leave no stone unturned in giving their customer the "best".

The model 14 was a lot more expensive than a walnut version 9842.And I'll bet that most of the walnut 9842's ended up in homes as a cheaper alternative

The 14 is a more complex cabinet to build, takes more of the most expensive resource in US manufacturing, LABOR. 6 panels and one grill frame in the construction of a 9842 vs 20 panels and 2 grill frames in a model 14.

I agree many of the "dressed" monitors made it into homes. But, they were not available thru consumer electronics dealers that marketed the home models, and vice versa, pro sound dealers that equipped studios didn't sell the consumer line of Altecs, and many were probably not even aware of them. In the mid-late 70's the pro and consumer markets were much more divided than they are today.

My family's business sold consumer Altec from ~'76 thru 81, only the consumer models 1 thru 19 were available to us, and we could get A7X by special order.

[Old Guy]

I agree many of the "dressed" monitors made it into homes. But, they were not available thru consumer electronics dealers that marketed the home models, and vice versa, pro sound dealers that equipped studios didn't sell the consumer line of Altecs, and many were probably not even aware of them. In the mid-late 70's the pro and consumer markets were much more divided than they are today.

Bad decision by Altec brass IMHO, and one of the reasons we mutually decided I would not become a full time employee at Altec. As some may be aware, I speak my mind, and said what I thought of the decision. Honestly I think one of the reasons Don Davis left also, but haven't discussed it with him. JBL was available thru large mail order outlets like Warehouse Sound. Altec wasn't. This was at a time DIY was big. EV was selling OEM at around 80 bucks a pop. Altecs were maybe 30 bucks more. EV owned the low end of pro sound. JBL owned the high end due to availability. Altec wanted to protect it's installers, and owned the theater market. They thought they could live on their past accomplishments, while customers were asking "What have you done for me lately?"