416 8c question

I'm looking at buying some 416 8c's online. The guy sent some photos in an email that seem to have vents in the back. I've never seen the ceramic magnet 8c's. Is it possible the holes are for attachment of the ceramic magnet?

Here's a better photo

Flat magnet versions from either the worst of the Ling era or the EV era, don't quote me as i'm neither sure of the vintage or care all that much as they are the WORST 416's made with the Altec brand on them and to my ears don't really sound like 416's at all.

Just hold out for better 416-8C's all of which by the way are ceramic magnet. But, the ones you want are the version with the slightly rounded back plate, and small diameter foilcals. Those pictured have a different suspension and possibly even the cone is different. FWIW, there is probably a plate blocking the rear vent which will come unglued if exposed to moderate heat or cold.

Just my .02 y'all understand...................

Thanks Bowtie, as soon as I saw the photo I thought that it might not be worth a 4 hour round trip!

worst of the the EV era

So from somewhere the decree must have been use the vented assembly and block off the hole.

I do recall the later 604 ferrite being a little light in the loafers due to standardization of mags.

Coulda been done properly with three screws instead of glue. But cost was factored in. Everybody was recovering from Reaganomics.

Many American audio producers died in the early eighties. I guess the proper response is to be thankful Mark IV or V or whatever kept Altec going, there were a few more gems to come. OTOH owning two pro audio companies meant one had to get favored...