I've found some speakers. Now I'm selling all of my Altecs

**Geekstar** · October 26th, 2012, 11:49 PM

Do the math, 8 (755A) + 10 (756B) = 18.

Actually. I don't listen to them at the same time. but 18>15.

I used the 15s for 15 years. 1505 + 288c + 416s in Onkens. That's 15 cells with 15 inchers, aka "30s"

Working on my trusty pr of 414Zs in mini 828 cabs next.

You will never catch me with any yellow 6" woofers.

JR

**cradeldorf** · October 27th, 2012, 12:00 AM

LOL, I like your math thinking.

**Altec Best** · October 27th, 2012, 10:37 AM

They look like Book shelve speakers to me. Valencia's aren't Top of line Altecs.. And they don't cost $5900 either. With that kind of money you could put together a bunch of large format Altecs ! One for each corner for some killer sound

**cls500** · October 27th, 2012, 10:50 AM

Lets settle this foolish debate and just burn him at the stake !!!

**voice of the theater** · October 27th, 2012, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by cls500

Lets settle this foolish debate and just burn him at the stake !!!

I didn't even intend to be part of a debate. They are probably nice sounding speakers. As I mentioned, what sounds "better" is a matter of personal preference. I just think it's possible that there is something wrong with his Valencias if he's saying that these 8" woofer speaker systems play louder than his Valencias. I think burning him at the stake may be slightly extreme anyways. It would be much more humane to sentence him to live on a "prison island" (kidding--I don't have a prejudiced bone in my body).......

**bowtie427ss** · October 27th, 2012, 11:56 AM

I'm aware of another strong Altec advocate who has nothing but good things to say about KRK monitors from the bottom end of their line. I can imagine their top effort might be fairly significant. I'd welcome some to my stable just like the Westlakes. But they're not going to displace any of my Altecs. As much as there are bigger Westlakes in my future, it's extremely doubtful that they will displace any Altecs either.

I think burning him at the stake may be slightly extreme anyways.

That should be reserved for those wanting to come to an Altec forum to preach the virtues of their Heresies, and HPM-100's.

As good as Theo's impressions of his Valencia's were, i can't help but wonder if the somewhat stiffer load of 8 ohm components on his SS amplification might have taken them up another notch for him.

**Geekstar** · October 27th, 2012, 12:17 PM

I actually heard a pair of "mini-monitors" at the Munich show last year that I could live with---KEF LS50. I'd recommend these to the OP if he can arrange to hear them in Oz.

They played loud and projected big, lit up a very large space...my first thought is that they sounded kinda like ALTEC.

I can appreciate that a dinky little speaker can work much better in many rooms. I cant do big Altec where I live, so I am doing the 8" and 10" full rangers for the moment.

However, for me, Valencia is a type of orange, not a top of the line Altec. Large format, Baby!

Comparing Valencias to 288 systems is like comparing screw top bum wine to the good stuff. The poor guy jumped off the ladder at the first rung.

There seems to be a M19/other 511 system madness going on right now on some of the other forums. I try to hold my tongue since everybody is having such a good time. I guess ya gotta start somewhere...

**juniper** · October 27th, 2012, 05:42 PM

Geekstar now that I know that my 19's and 604's are on the first rung, what system would you propose around the 288, in a cabinet that is around 300lbs per speaker without drivers and that looks acceptable in a home environment?

**Geekstar** · October 27th, 2012, 06:18 PM

1505s with bass reflex 416s....no make that TWO 416s. However, you might have to go tar filled to reach the 300lb specification. Don't know if you can get there with sheet metal horns and 1" ply.

Did I ever mention acceptable looks for home environment?

Actually, I tell you no lie, women LOVED my 1505/Onken system. Chicks love ALTEC, the bigger the better.

In all honestly, I am no fan of 511s. I consider it a flawed product and it really doesn't bring out the best in those excellent 1" ALTEC drivers. They give me a headache.

Jeff Markwart wiil tell ya, when he submitted that Exemplar article for Sound Practices I gave him an earful on 511s! But, he and John Tucker were the authors, I was just a lowly editor. Gotta give the writers space for self-expression and all.

As somebody concurred in a thread on DiyA or somewhere when I was trashing 511s, which I do to be a devil's advocate and light the way of truth, "this is the horn that gave horns speakers a bad name." Forget who it was but it probably wasn't Mike Pano.

Now the point has been made, and I think correctly, that the 511 based M19/Valencia/etc. makes a great old school Rock and Roll system but I cant say that this configuration is the best of ALTEC, not by a large margin.

19s are better than a lot of stuff and a super classic, but they are not the best ALTEC. Good enough to get people hooked though.

Once I tasted multicells and 288s, I couldn't go back to 511s. Actually, I never liked them from the start. Never did, never will.

I'm sorta working on a 32C/802/414 setup and that is sounding pretty good for a small footprint, low key rig.

604s are another issue entirely.

**Geekstar** · October 27th, 2012, 07:16 PM

Hey Juniper, here's something small, cute, and good sounding.

A Lansing Iconic from the Silbatone factory collection....field coil, but it could be done with all ALTEC alnico stuff.

Bass cab is essentially a 620. Driver is a Lansing 801, substitute an 802. Getting the 808 horns might be the hard part...

This old thing sounded really nice. I think the old phenolic H808 is smoother than the tar filled, which is a tiny bit hard edged, but the system sure put out some music for its size!