Bargain 299s

Just saw these. Looks like a real deal if you need some large format drivers. (No affilliation). He has 2 up now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Altec-299-16A-La...QQcmdZViewItem

Gone. All those guys paying a grand or more for 288s will never know what they missed.

Same seller still has a pair of 203s for $150 BIN.

Doggone it. I was kinda getting ready to ask the gurus here what drivers I should be thinking of for the mid bass cabs I've designed. I've got a pair of 511e horns and am wondering is it possible that it could sound better than the 808s I'm using now? Good grief...they sound unbelievabably good. Should I buy a new set from gpa? which ones are THE best. If I buy used...what's the hot ticket?

I saw those today. Dickenson says the 299 were the best ever large format drivers.
I would have gone for it, but I have no horns for them, and have spent enough on Altec stuff for the time being. Of course I "need" more. And a 12 step program......

Ron

I saw those today. Dickenson says the 299 were the best ever large format drivers.
I would have gone for it, but I have no horns for them, and have spent enough on Altec stuff for the time being. Of course I "need" more. And a 12 step program......

Ron

U snooze, u loose. That 203 pair for $150 (still there) is unbeatable. Arguably the best sounding large format at home, good to 300Hz, no throats or adapters required. The 299s had good frams and never need remagged.

Somebody could of been livin' "large" today for $550 plus freight.

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Originally posted by RonSS:
Dickenson says the 299 were the best ever large format drivers.

Ron

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I think the 299 was the current model when he said that.
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Really that honor has to go to the 288-H.


But as far as "bargain 299's" they are...can't find that performance anywhere else for that price. To get a very slight improvement costs a grand...

I still have 8 299's, project was to be some 12" and 299 traps for small gigs.. It's somewhere in the other hundred or so projects...now that I'm retired I don't have time to do anything anymore...

"Best" would be whichever offers the nearest match to your big horns in both (measured) sensitivity and long-term peak output.

Large formats aren't inherently "better" than small, unless you need the extra sensitivity to "keep up", or safely stay within power ratings. Exceptions occur at high levels on small format drivers, where a large format could produce the same SPL while "loafing", and producing less distortion.

As far as buying large formats, I'd definitely buy new from GPA rather than pay eBay prices for 288s.

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Originally posted by bfish: .....Arguably the best sounding large format at home....

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Really! I recall GM speaking highly of them in the past, too. I have a pair that I have yet to listen to. ....my large format drivers have blown diaphragms.

GPA sells a 399 driver...8 or 16 ohms.
Any one of you fellers ever heared one?