gaumont kalee model 379

[tranoka]

Hello To all Vitavox fans.
...Can anyone know about the GAUMONT KALEE drivers ? Are they have the same screw-in to the horn like the S2 ? The bandwidth ?are The diaphragm bigger than the S2 ? How they works on the low mid and midrange region ?...

[Datubie]

Gaumont Kalee has nothing to do with Vitavox actually. They eventually became a division of the Rank Corporation.However, I do run these on my Vitavox horns & so may be able to help.

They will fit the "S" type Vitavox horns. The
diaphragm is similar in size to that of the Altec 288 series. In fact, the 379 looks like an early 288! I use them from 400hz to 5khz & they work well. In a 15 cell horn they don't go much above 8-10k though.

Are yours the copper/gold coloured ones or the grey/black ones?

Look here for some indo on my system.

http://website.lineone.net/~empson/Owners2.html

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ November 11, 2003 09:53 PM: Message edited by: Datubie ]</font>

[tranoka]

Originally posted by Datubie:
Gaumont Kalee has nothing to do with Vitavox actually. They eventually became a division of the Rank Corporation.However, I do run these on my Vitavox horns & so may be able to help.

They will fit the "S" type Vitavox horns. The
diaphragm is similar in size to that of the Altec 288 series. In fact, the 379 looks like an early 288! I use them from 400hz to 5khz & they work well. In a 15 cell horn they don't go much above 8-10k though.

Are yours the copper/gold coloured ones or the grey/black ones?

Look here for some indo on my system.

http://website.lineone.net/~empson/Owners2.html

<font color="#a62a2a"><font size="1">[ November 11, 2003 09:53 PM: Message edited by: Datubie ]</font></font>

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hello!
Thank you Datubie For your information!I will receive my Gaumont kalee Rank in one or two week coming!I just buyed on Ebay from the person in New zealand;The color of the item is grey.I have in a fiew years ago the Altec 288,but theses don't mach my taste!Could you tell me more about the sound of the GK compared to 288 and the S2 ?!
Regards.

[Datubie]

Oh ok, so you were the winner of those.

I've never heard a S2 before, so I can't comment on those. I can't say much for the earlier Altec 288 because I never had one for years already. However, I can say they aren't quite as dynamic as the 288-16g, but the midrange is quite good.

[tranoka]

Hello Datubie.
...I have the S2 three years ago ,is one of my favorite;But at that time ,i have to selled for two pair of AK151.The sound of the S2 is very detailed and 3d like,but is softer compared to 288;I hope the GK will do the job.
Thank you again.
Regards.

[Datubie]

The GK diaphragms design are different from any I've seen & so they may sound a little different. They have a rolled surround (like a cone speaker) instead of the diamond style of Altec, JBL and S2's.

[tranoka]

...The man who selling me the GK,have described the GK diaphragm (65mm),That mean is bigger than the 288!? But what i see in the picture ,phisically the Gk and the 288 is similar in shape in the difference of the screw-in to the horn and the position of the screws around the back driver.

[Datubie]

The GK & Altec diaphragms do look similar in size. I'll measure them tomorrow & post the results.

[tranoka]

hi!
...Have test my Gaumont Kalee! What a wonderfull piece ,especially the richness harmony of the voice ,softer than Altec 288b but well integrated in the system . the back load of the GK diaphragm is slightly bigger than the 288 (the diaphragm is in the same size but differrent like Datubie have discribed) ,the (magnifique) piece of phase is differrent too and magnet cover is made of copper.In conclusion, the GK is a beauty with classical music ,balanced timbral.The 288 is better on Jazz and all the music with "remix" like where the the term "in your face" is needed.
The system i have tested with(not mine):
- 4 ways active system (3single-end triode amps in the hight range)
- 200w classA transistor amp for 2 double Altec 416.
- Triode pre amp
-Active tube cross over.
I am sure Datubie is a happy man !...when my system will finish (never finished ,10 years till now)i'll be happy too.............

[Datubie]

I believe the difference is in the design of the phase plug.

Did you remove the metal throat screen?