Altec M19, M15, or M14 all local, but which one to get?

[VolvoHeretic]

My son has finally gotten the Altec bug, and is looking at local to him, a pair M19s (for $2000), I think its 'make an offer', M15 for $500 and M14 for $900. So many choices, so little room, and probably with very little WAF. He can always hide them at my house. Any opinions?

The M19's come with new foam, GPA diaphragms, GPA crossovers, and grills, plus the original Xovers and grills.

The M15's have new foam surrounds.

[Altec Best]

If he has the room M19's then M14's and then the 15's IMHO.Or get all of them..

[VolvoHeretic]

I like your thinking Best , his lower level family room (not living room) is about 14'x 25', but his 'stereo' short wall has a built-in gas fireplace in one corner, a built-in bookcase in the middle, and a giant built-in projector TV in the other corner. There isn't even room for his 6" tower speakers, what a stupid design. He could put them in the middle of the long wall, but how would that sound? So anyway, I don't think that size is a concern.

The M15 has the 32B horn on a 806 driver I think and I like the 32B a lot. Never heard the Manta Ray. The M14 and M15 have different 12" woofers don't they? Is the M14 worth $400 more than the M15? I assume all of these prices are negotiable. I see that there is an M19 on ebay for $2000 minimum bid with no bids.

[mattvandyke]

I would check on what the pricing is for the M19's and then make a decision. The M14's are $400 more than the M15's - seems high to me. I've got a set of M15's and they are a great speaker. They might be a good starter set for your son.

Of course, if the M19's were a good price - I would go for them.

[VolvoHeretic]

M19's are $2000 without old original Xovers.

I'm tending to agree with you Matt, and liking the M15's.

[zelgall]

M19's are $2000 without old original Xovers.

I'm tending to agree with you Matt, and liking the M15's.

I always think that the upper level packages are best. I've heard all of them in my living room and I still own model 19's and 604-8g's. The model 19 in great shape for 2K is a good deal.If there's a mark on it at all, start talking them down from there.

[Altec Best]

M19's are $2000 without old original Xovers.

I'm tending to agree with you Matt, and liking the M15's.

What I was listing them as was in order of sounding the best IMHO.. M19's then the Model 14's and then the M15's.. The M15's are cheaper for a reason.Don't get me wrong they are great speakers.

[voice of the theater]

M19's are $2000 without old original Xovers.

I'm tending to agree with you Matt, and liking the M15's.

The 19's don't have the original crossovers? What crossovers do they have? The originals are phenomenal and were designed to optimize those specific drivers/cabinets...