Original cabinet and DIY canbinet difference?

[sanhanul]

What I used hear from the experienced is that the cabinet is very important in Tannoy but not crucial in Altec.
And bigger cabinet, better base for altec.

I am using 604Bs in 614 cabinets. I think I was kind of lucky to meet these original set. I didn't need to do anything with the speakers except removing the ugly blank paint which was smeared thick on the cabinet. I am generally satisfied with the sound. They have wonderful vocal and the piano from them is astounding.

I am enjoying music almost day and night and I feel my tast in music has changed and developed in various ways a lot with Altec.

Now I am thinking to try 612 cabinets which are basically same design but bigger size. Original 612 cabinets are very rare and expensive. It will cost around 1000 bucks. It can easily go up to 1500 bucks. But new cabinets which are made by local professional will cost around 500 to 600 bucks(used one).

Is it worth to go for original?

[GM]

Not for listening to music.

GM

[amandarae]

Not for listening to music.

GM

Huh! Why not?

[GM]

??? What is special about the original cab that makes it superior performing in any way to a DIY 'clone'?

GM

[amandarae]

Hi GM,
I see. I must have read the post incorrectly as I thought your comment was for 612 cabinet not good enough for music listening.

[GM]

No biggie. I prefer tower/column/MLTL speakers to get the driver up to seated ear height or even above, but there's nothing wrong with the 612, though for a 604B, using the original Lansing Iconic design with its large vent might be a better choice than the later one tuned for the lower Fs 604s.

GM

[sanhanul]

No biggie. I prefer tower/column/MLTL speakers to get the driver up to seated ear height or even above, but there's nothing wrong with the 612, though for a 604B, using the original Lansing Iconic design with its large vent might be a better choice than the later one tuned for the lower Fs 604s.

GM

So , simply put, it is meaningless to spent a lot more money to Original?

[cradeldorf]

DIY could possibly be slightly better since it would be new construction.

[GM]

So , simply put, it is meaningless to spent a lot more money to Original?

Correct, unless someone just wants to have an all period correct speaker and willing to pay for it.

GM

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DIY could possibly be slightly better since it would be new construction.

Technically, though in making a dimensionally correct clone, it normally equates to a subjectively slightly different 'tone' due to panel, bonding agent and especially any damping material differences combined with aging, but IME one has to have an original to detect it and even then, adjusting damping material density can offset it.

In the scheme of things then, DIY it, damp to 'taste', use the saved $$ to buy more music/whatever, then sit back and enjoy!

GM

[Altec Best]

One other thing WRT original or clones is that original cabinet joints can begin to leak with age due to a variety of things like warping.Where as new construction should have pristine solid joints and you can add better bracing.Original cabs are worth money where as DIY cabs not so much WRT resale value.