This is kind of funny. We've all got 8" coax's secreted away somewhere for a rainy day. Hah.
I have some atlas 8" coaxial pendant mounts in fact. I recall they sounded pretty good (they are packed up now), though I have nothing else 8" to compare to per se.
This spurred me to look up the driver, apparently they use the FA138 driver: Atlas Sound - FA138
Not Altec by any streatch afaik, but I checked the FR to see if they too had a 2k hump. Looks like they quashed in the FA138.
Thanks very much Old Guy, but I originally really wanted to go larger than 8"; I think the 6 1/2" 407 is a bit small for me. Any one have a pair of 920-8A's they want to part with??? The problem with altecs is that when you get into 12" and up they get really expensive. So I kind of settled for the 8" as a middle of the road solution. But a 12" Altec duplex of some kind is where I really wanted to go. (I don't recall seeing any 10" Altec Duplex models). My next door neighbor is a cabinet maker by trade and can help with cab construction. This project is going to be a consolation prize for the 9844's I will never get to own. Thank you everyone for your great input, I appreciate it very much.
Never?! You planning on dying soon?
GM
Loud is Beautiful if it's Clean! As always though, the usual disclaimers apply to this post's contents.
Well the last 9844's (or close relatives) I saw were $800 and had mismatched woofers which was a bit much for me, plus the fact that at age 72 I am in good shape but you do kind of begin to look over your shoulder. Altecs are a long time dream every since I heard 19's at a party back in the 80's. These days I try to keep an eye on the more utility types as I would, no doubt, have to install them in my garage listening area should a pair ever come my way.
I'm gonna be a little blunt here since i've seen too many fellas bust their ass toward a comfortable retirement only to have it cut short or missed altogether when fate stepped in prematurely.plus the fact that at age 72 I am in good shape but you do kind of begin to look over your shoulder.
None of us are taking any of this stuff with us when we go. The time to enjoy it is now.
My advice to you is to live your dream. If it is within your means, go for a large Altec system and enjoy the hell out of them.
Not all vegetables make good leaders.
I'm not sure how a 403 could be 755 based? Anyway a pair of 409 on e-prey this morn...
Two Vintage Altec 409 8 Inch Speakers L@@K | eBay
Last edited by Old Guy; June 7th, 2012 at 12:13 PM.
Your neighbors called. They like your music.
Originally Posted by cls500
I hear ya, I'm zeroing in on 66 and with my lifelong poor health history combined with knowing so many folks that kept putting stuff off till later in life only to not live long enough to get there; I've mostly lived in the 'here and now' figuring I either wouldn't be around for a proper retirement or so decrepit and/or poor from medical bills that I wouldn't have any real quality of life, which is pretty much where I'm at least for now, so glad I was able to keep some Altec components to tinker with again once I get the worst of the house, shed exterior repaired/replaced sometime later on this Summer or Fall.
Anyway, understand the $$ issue and you imply you're not set up to make your own cabs, so wonder if there's a DIYer near you that might help to build some utility cabs and maybe XOs if you can?t, then buy used horns and new drivers, though better overall to buy 15" woofers in lieu of dual 12" due to high cost.
GM
Loud is Beautiful if it's Clean! As always though, the usual disclaimers apply to this post's contents.
Bowtie, I know what you mean and believe me the thought has occured to me. My wife is a lovely woman but a tough cookie. The fact that I have 8sets of speakers being run on two systems all in the nicely finished garage is one thing; but adding a large set of altecs would most certainly result in my being beaten with a golf club. Also the thought of placing a nice set of 14's or 19's in the garage is out of the question--so I do continue to keep an eye open for utility type models. In my area the following are for sale at this time: 846A Valencias--$1700 firm/ 848A Flamencos-$1000 (untested-as is) / fairly nice custom cabs with unknown VOTT load--$1500. And thats about it. It is rare to even have this many for sale in this area. GM--actually ,as I mentioned in an earlier post, I have a cabinet maker who lives next door-he is excellent but not cheap. Trying to collect up all the pieces and then getting the cabs constructed is really more than I want to attempt at this point; also, the good stuff is VERY expensive these days as you well know . So all this is the reason I kind of wanted to start with a little duplex project which I could probably handle---then--- if the right real Altec comes along I can take Bowties advice and go for it !!! ( and risk death by golf club)
I can read, but you don't need a high priced cabinet maker to make utility cabs, just someone with a power saw and a willingness to help out a fellow music lover, hence my query. With your mindset though, seems like a waste of $$$ to bother with a dinky little co-ax [there are no little duplexes].
GM
Loud is Beautiful if it's Clean! As always though, the usual disclaimers apply to this post's contents.
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