Altec 846A Valencia

[F550M]

Hello Chaps,

I am new in this forum and thanks much for accepting me.

I have an opportunity to acquire a pair of 846A Valencia. A one owner pair in mint condition. I believe that it is a 16 Ohms speaker but the rear panel says "for 8 or 16 Ohms".

On the other hand I read an article that working on the crossover it can be made to outperform the model 19, using 12db Butterworth filters at 1.35 kHz render the best overall tonal quality, while almost seamlessly blending the horn and woofer into one.

I am not familiar with any of those two models but for $2K I am tempted to buy them.

Please advise.

Cheers,

Horacio

[Old Guy]

The 16 Ohm models were often designated as you say. On the amplifiers of the day, a 16 ohm load would work on an 8 ohm output. Of, course, with today's solid state amps it doesn't matter. I have even heard the 16 Ohm load actually reduces the damping factor a bit, which could help as most solid state amps are over-damped.
But yes your guess it's 16 Ohms is a good one.

[TerribleT]

Hello Chaps,

I read an article that working on the crossover it can be made to outperform the model 19, using 12db Butterworth filters at 1.35 kHz render the best overall tonal quality, while almost seamlessly blending the horn and woofer into one.

I am not familiar with any of those two models but for $2K I am tempted to buy them.

Please advise.

Cheers,

Horacio

Hi Horacio,
Could you provide a link to the Valencia cross over mod? I have a pair of 16 ohm Valencias that can possibly benefit from a xover upgrade.
Regards,
David

[F550M]

Hi David,

Sure, here it is:

Altec-Lansing Valencia: Improving a Classic - Audiophile Nirvana

My problem with this mod is that this chap, the author, uses a dbx DriveRack PA2 loudspeaker management system and my current two-channel system is fully analog.

Cheers,

Horacio

PS: what amplifier are you using with the Valencias?

[TerribleT]

Hi David,

Sure, here it is:

Altec-Lansing Valencia: Improving a Classic - Audiophile Nirvana

My problem with this mod is that this chap, the author, uses a dbx DriveRack PA2 loudspeaker management system and my current two-channel system is fully analog.

Cheers,

Horacio

PS: what amplifier are you using with the Valencias?

I'm using a Thorens 124 into a phono preamp into a 2A3 set amp.

[F550M]

Browsing the web I found this ad on Audiogon, it expired but the photos are still there, amazing. Please see link below. It would be nice to build a pair like this. Unfortunately, I do not have the technical knowledge to design one. May be someone can give me a hand.

Cheers,

JBL C51 Apollo Speakers & Matching JBL C58 Delphi Cabinet also for Olympus + Extras | Full-Range | Audiogon

[F550M]

The B&K crossover posted in my previous message was built by Bob Crites in Russellvile, AK. He specializes in Klipsch and EV only but if I send him the schematic diagram he will build me a pair.

Cheers,

Horacio

[gearfreak]

for $2K I am tempted to buy them.

Seems steep to me for the sum of the parts... but I've never been in the market for a pair and cosmetics aren't a selling point for me per se.
If the provenance turns you on, then that might - they've got the original receipt? ;-) Maybe someone else can chime in.


edit: my XO discussion deleted... I thought the seller had the DBX. It's the guy in the article.

[F550M]

The owner bought them new in 1967, he has the receipt, they look brand new in and out, original cones and surrounds, perfect drivers' paint.