This gives the dates. Looks like the original 604 came out in 1944. The 604B came out in 1949
Altec 604 Duplex Speakers and related
My parents, long ago, had a 604B and an earlier duplex, very similar, I suspect it was a 604 or a 604A.
Does anyone know the approximate introduction dates, of the 604, the 604A and a 604B??
About how much did a 604B cost, when it was introduced?? Anyone know??
Thank you, in advance.
Low Ohms.....Jeff Medwin
This gives the dates. Looks like the original 604 came out in 1944. The 604B came out in 1949
Altec 604 Duplex Speakers and related
Last edited by Elitopus1; March 6th, 2017 at 10:08 PM.
601 & 602 http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/altec/catalogs/1943/page04.jpg
605 http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/altec/catalogs/1945-duplex/page01.jpg 605 is sole topic.
604 http://www.lansingheritage.org/image...1947/page2.jpg
604B http://www.lansingheritage.org/image...1949/page3.jpg
Catalogues usually printed before product release date but no guarantee on this
1944 issue of he 604 is commonly attributed on the net but the earliest documentation I could find is the 1947 catalogue.
Jeff, links to old audio magazine archives were listed on the forum. Members may be able to provide them so you can peruse the '44 to'48, '49, '50 issues for advertisements showing prices.
Last edited by mah; March 7th, 2017 at 12:23 AM.
Opinion is only as valid as its verifiable supporting evidence.
Thanks you two fellas!!! This pulls it together.
So, there was no 604A. This means my Dad bought a 604 first - because I Knew for sure we had the earlier version of the 604B, similar. My guess, likely about 1950, a year after it came out, knowing my Dad, ( he got the 604B. ). I would have been six in late 1950.
With a 604, and a 604B, gee...I was born and weaned listening to ALTEC speakers . Its SO COOL RIGHT NOW, round-trip, to have them back, performing well, after ALL the high end gear that has come and gone.
It caused a marital disturbance, when he cut a hole in Mom's laundry room wall about midnight while she slept two floors up, to mount the 604B, so he would not have to take it back, ( due to a hole in the wall ). That laundry room wall was also our basement's finished recreational room wall.
Dad was a USPS Railway Mail Clerk, sorted mail on the trains, NY to Pittsburg, PA. He would attend the NY Audio show, every year. Dragged me along some times. Mom would a hollered at him for spending money for a 604B, until she ( and I ) heard it, the next morning !!
I had a cool father, without telling Mother, he was the first in our city ( Trenton, NJ ) to have a Lambretta ( motor scooter) , and maybe even a VW beetle . RIP. Do I need to say, IMHO ?? or YMMV !!
Jeff Medwin .... Low Ohms.
Jeff
I think its a cool story about your dad.
My dad got me into HiFi too. He was into Pioneer gear though. I still use his TT.
FYI 604B tag, 1950.
Altec 604B From 1950, Original Pictures, Images & Photos | Photobucket
Opinion is only as valid as its verifiable supporting evidence.
In some people's opinions, Pioneer makes an excellent sounding for the money turntable, a PLX-1000 now a days. It "needs" the very best combo of Extreme Phono's " SPEED " double mat, with a " donut" to remove some platter / direct drive nasties. It has great speed and pace, very "up front" and powerful sounding rig. That mat is another $200, but worthwhile. Lovely to hear. My buddy Dennis from Montana uses it, and he even took the table, and mats, to the RMAF - Denver show, last October .Originally Posted by Elitopus1
Have fun, I do.
Low Ohms.....Jeff.
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