I think I'd cut the cabs before I'd cut the speakers. Just my .02
Then opt for the 515E.
GM
Loud is Beautiful if it's Clean! As always though, the usual disclaimers apply to this post's contents.
I think I'd cut the cabs before I'd cut the speakers. Just my .02
I think they look terrible.Originally Posted by Audio_by_Goodwill
Whenever you cut into a frame on anything you are compromising it's integrity. Uncut frames could easily be bent from shipping,in proper torquing of the bolts to the baffle,etc.... Let alone cut ones.I don't think the structural integrity would be compromised enough to worry about either, given the way they're mounted to the cabinet.
I personally would rather look for 15" frames and recone. YMMV One mans garbage is another mans treasure so it goes
In the 210 horn will not the 515B give the best of both worlds in terms of midrange and LF extension?
There were at least 2 versions of 515E, finding 4 that match would be a challenge, and that takes us back to truncating frames which i have no problem doing to the low interest drivers like flat mag 515E. But the 515E with the cast backplate seems to hold a much higher resale value, and i'd hate to destroy that value by chopping them up.
The other option would be "if" GPA can build them(515E) up, which i have doubts about as well. I expect new GPA product would be 515G. Beyond that, market value on 515E's would make building new ones a very poor investment from a cost/value perspective.
OTOH, if i were to commission GPA to build 4 new alnico 515B on old style 15 inch frames, i think their value in the "inter-market" will always equal if not exceed the initial cost.
See how tempting it is to go with a non-Altec woofer in this application?
This is truly the biggest caveat, and it kills their value among the majority of the potential market. It makes a lot of people cringe. I can't really blame them as they KNOW it's not supposed to look like that.I think they look terrible.
While every word is true here, the modification in question is almost inconsequential. The weakest point on a new style 16 inch frame is where the motor bolts to it, and this is where the vast majority of frame damage/failure occurs. Just ask the board member who found most of his 421 motors laying in the bottom of his 817 cabinets after having them trucked home from an event.Whenever you cut into a frame on anything you are compromising it's integrity. Uncut frames could easily be bent from shipping,in proper torquing of the bolts to the baffle,etc.... Let alone cut ones.
Not all vegetables make good leaders.
I think cutting an Altec speaker frame is an unthinkable act, please don't. Many moons ago when confronted with the same situation,vertical slots were cut on each side of the enclosure from the speaker mounting board to the back 1.5" wide and 9" height. that way I was successful in getting the new 16" frames to fit, from memory the mounting ctrs were the same & inside frame to frame was no problem. you then have to make appropriate caps to cover those openings. I suggest making two 16" cardboard templates with mounting holes and check out, it was about 25 yrs ago for me.
OK but my point is why add another weak point to the basket ? Also you are essentially killing any chance to ever sell them again if you choose to do so.I doubt he will ever sell those 421's due to this fact.And if he does,he won't get anything near their true value IMHO.
When I see any kind of Altec "Destruction" it just doesn't sit well with me...
The more drivers that are destroyed the more rare and expensive these cherished Altec's will become.
I would NEVER cut into a frame to apply a speaker to a particular cabinet.I would be more apt to install a correct fitting driver dimensionally ! But that's just me. YMMV
BTW - If you want to cut into a JBL frame by all means !
If the suggestion is done and proves to be a 2012 success. AB-- I would like having a drink with you, I enjoy red wine Calif. & Italy
BTW - If you want to cut into a JBL frame by all means !
The ironic thing here is that JBL has applied the engineering foresight to truncate the frames of several of their drivers that are/were used for tandem mounting and linear arrays for what, a half century now? I refer specifically to the classic and long produced Linear Efficiency series LE-8, LE-10, LE-14, 2105, 2115, etc., as well as some of their current production. Check out the mid drivers in the full size Vertec arrays, the frames are truncated to the extent that they allow those drivers to be mounted so close that the surrounds touch each other on neighboring drivers.
The flip side of this, and you'll really like this part AB, truncated JBL frames are the ONLY frames i've ever seen damaged in shipping. There's no question that they're more fragile. But, in certain designs it is a necessary compromise to overcome edge diffraction and lobing/comb filtering.
Of course their standard round 15 inch frames will direct bolt in place of 15 inch Altec frames, which makes them potential candidates when all else fails. If they were good enough for Woodstock, they'll be good enough for me.
I can truly appreciate the sentiments fellas, but lets remember one thing here. There are far more remaining drivers than unaltered original cabinets. The LAST thing i'm going to do any cutting on are the cabinets, and i'm not any more likely to cut driver frames for these either. They're early, serial numbered, and their paint and decals are good enough that they should be preserved without hacking them. There are plenty of driver options that will fit without any modifications. Hopefully, i'll be able to come up with a reasonable Altec solution like building new drivers on old frames.
Last edited by bowtie427ss; April 11th, 2012 at 01:35 PM.
Not all vegetables make good leaders.
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