Duplex versus Separate Units

[Sounder]

My first posting. I am going nutz trying to decide which speakers to build. I am thinking to buy two new Iconic 704 duplexes with Super XO's and build a box like the Stonehenge V. BUT, now I am wondering if I could get better quality by building somthing more along the lines of the VOTT home system (aka the Magnificents), again buying the individual bass, horns and Super XO from Iconic and building the box myself. My main music prefs are for pipe organ and classical orchestral pieces--and maybe sometimes Moody Blues, Pink Floyd, Stones, etc. Any guidance, suggestions, hints would help retain my sanity. Thanks. This list is EXCELLENT!!

[Altec19]

Altec speakers are kind of like potato chips: you just can't stop at one (pair)!

Each of the systems have their advantages and disadvantages. A lot of folks on this board have several systems for, um, comparative purposes.

[Sounder]

Thanks boltupright and Altec Fan! Gorgeous speaker you show, Altec Fan. Tell me bout the components.

More info: the 25 x 40 ft room the proposed speakers would reside in has high ceilings, carpeting and sheetrock walls (no drapes, etc.). I am hoping for speakers with a great low end (pipe organ) sound since they would be attached to a Rodgers 530 electronic church-type organ and also used to play organ CDs.

Thanks mucho!!

[boltupright]

It depends on the size of the room, & what kind of bass response you are wanting, The duplex 604 8G or 8H are wonderful sounding speakers, in a decent sized average living room, with a high quality component sound system, they sound awsome, in 620 cabinets they can go real low, at least I don't notice any substancial need for a sub, if you have a larger room like 35x20 with high ceilings the model 19 is a great speaker, it will fill that room with sound, they can go low as well as the 604.
The voice of the theater will fill an even bigger room especially with the 511 horn, but they don't go as low as the 19's but the mid bass & upper mids are very defined & clear, the best choice IMHO if running with a high power sub system in a large 60x25 plus room.
I would also consider using more power in the larger rooms with the latter two speaker sysems if not for only having the clean headroom, as all these designs are very efficient.

[Altec19]

Originally posted by Sounder:
Thanks boltupright and Altec Fan! Gorgeous speaker you show, Altec Fan. Tell me bout the components.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thank-you!. My avatar is a basically stock later edition Model 19 with ferrite drivers: 416-8C woofer, 902-8B Tangerine compression driver on an 811B horn and standard M19 crossover. The upper cabinet foam has been replaced and the crossover controls are bypassed with fixed values.