Altec 604G frames with metal phase plug

**Elitopus1** · August 12th, 2016, 09:15 PM

I just picked up a 604G with the Urei horn. It must be an older one because it has the metal phase plug instead of the tangerine. This woofer has a non original cone. My plan is to get another 604 frame and send them both to GPA for a recone.

I can get a better deal on frames if I don't actually get a 604G. The Urei models are cheaper along with the 604LN, 604HPLN, and the 904. From what I understand all of these share the same exact frame and motor as the 604G. Since they will be recones anyways it doesn't matter what the cone differences are.

From what I understand according to the Altec literature the 604HPLN was never offered with the metal phase plug. I have seen some early versions that have a different magnet cover (same as my 604) that I think might be pre-tangerine.

Any ideas guys?

**Elitopus1** · August 15th, 2016, 10:23 AM

I spoke to someone selling a 604HPLN on ebay with the same magnet cover as mine. Unfortunately it looks like all (probably most

) of the HPLN woofers have the tangerine. Somehow I always end up with the oddball Altec woofers. Maybe its because there are so many of them.

I guess I will have to keep an eye out for an older 604G

**magnarc** · August 16th, 2016, 09:45 AM

The 904 is the ferrite pancake magnet.
All the others share the G and H magnet.

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Generally older Gs have the rounded rear cover like an 802-8D/808-8A. Newer G's have the flat 802-8G style cover.

**Elitopus1** · August 16th, 2016, 12:18 PM

My 604G has the older steel phase plug but the newer style rear cover. And yes my bad about mentioning the 904. I know its a ferrite motor

**magnarc** · August 17th, 2016, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by Elitopus1

My 604G has the older steel phase plug but the newer style rear cover. And yes my bad about mentioning the 904. I know its a ferrite motor

This is the Altec world we are in lol.

Does it have a sticker on the magnet or label on the cover? Early Gs had a sticker on the side

**Elitopus1** · August 17th, 2016, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by magnarc

This is the Altec world we are in lol.

Does it have a sticker on the magnet or label on the cover? Early Gs had a sticker on the side

Mine has the regular Altec 604G label on the back of the cover. I know the later Urei 604 just had a small rectangle white label. Kinda like the Altec versions in factory Altec cabs.

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Does anyone know what the build difference is between the 604 that have a smooth magnet cover versus the ridged version? I also have this same difference in a 515b woofer I have versus the 515c woofer. On the back of the magnet cover (on the woofer) there is a ridge around the edge. It seems like the eariler woofers have it and the later woofers don't.

First example is smooth.

Vintage Altec 604 HPLN 15" Duplex Speaker CSL | eBay

Second is ridged

Altec Lansing 604 HPLN 16" Coaxial Duplex Monitor Speaker Vintage | eBay