Altec big 2" compression driver?

**neskor** · April 4th, 2012, 04:14 PM

I pick up those this morning.
No clue which Altec model is this

They are 2" exit drivers, cap is with probably JBL terminals and inside is some phenolic diaphragm (JBL?)

**Altec Best** · April 4th, 2012, 04:34 PM

They look like 292's. It is a 1.4" exit though.You will need tweeters with those.They don't extend very high I think but will have good power handling.They go down to 300 Hz and up to 8KHz.But you can use these with a 300 Hz horns.

http://altecpro.com/pdfs/vintage/Spe...%20Systems.pdf

**neskor** · April 4th, 2012, 04:39 PM

They were mounted on Altec 805B horn with 30162 adapter

**Altec Best** · April 4th, 2012, 05:14 PM

Yes they are 1.4" exits..

**neskor** · April 4th, 2012, 05:28 PM

Thanks for help!

**Steve Schell** · April 6th, 2012, 12:54 AM

There actually were some large 4" diaphragm 2" exit compression drivers made by Altec Lansing, though they are seldom seen. This thread (and another thread linked to in the first post) provides pictures and explains the history:

Altec 594b & 594-8C

**Geekstar** · April 6th, 2012, 04:32 PM

Those Altec 594B look like fun! Obviously some WE594 metalwork reused in those efforts, including the phase plug on the 8C and back cover on the B. I wonder if the 594B had half roll or iris surround? Might never find out cause that is some RARE stuff there, boy!

I'd be surprised if they made 200 of those 594B, because I think more would be around if so. Even if only 10% survived, I think there would be more photos out there in the net archives.

I wish for an alnico Altec 2" but this is not an Altec native format. I'm trying out some Renkus 3301 2" drivers and picked up a pr of R-H CDs and a pr of Emilar EH-500-2,which just arrived this morning. Since 594Bs are not on the menu, let's see what Renkus did with it...

**Old Guy** · April 6th, 2012, 07:14 PM

My info, right or wrong, is most if not all went to the government. Had Altec made it available in the Rock market maybe the 70's would have gone differently. Management thought it not necessary. They had the 1.4's, but frankly ZERO music stores had them, only contractors. JBL OTOH were readily available, even mail order. Only thing in MI was the 292, but you couldn't buy just the driver.