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Met a fellow from Poland on another forum...he was looking for info about Altec 420a's....
Invited him to join here, making this post as guide for him to reply to...English isn't his first language, and it's hard enough for us native speakers... :)
Hopefully he will see this and reply...would like to welcome him here...
Hmmm?? And do you "gavarit po Polski?"Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Guy
I barely muddle thru English...:D
He did and thanks to you we've begun the max box size 'dance'. I need to copy our PMs into a thread to get them into the 'search' database and just in case others with 420 knowledge want to chime in.Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Guy
GM
Hi, its me, yes thats right, im from Poland and my plan is to build speakers based on 420a Altec, and thats reason im here (on american forum).
What i like is to LISTEN TO THE MUSIC, im not speaker's builder/, im not constructor. Anyway I trust to people who indicate 420a as very good idea if i want to have speakers which give MUSIC.
I know 420a its old stuff, probably difficult to find even in America in good condition, but i will try to find it anyway.
Today i use 50years old tube amplifier BRAUN CSV13 and sometimes SUGDEN a21a when need more "watts". Speakers - english vintage SPENDOR 2/2, CD - modified Denon 655 (for example it has tubes in analog's converting section).
SPENDORS 2/2 are based on scanspeak drivers and are very good speakers but to small for room where my next speakers will stay(50m2). I dont like modern stuff, dont like this kind of sound, so i asked my friend for an idea of next speakers - its the same guy which had modyfied my DENON 655 and rebuild BRAUN CSV13 - he told me - try to find lansing 420a, with these drivers we can buil stuff you need. OK, thats what i now do - look for 420a and connected information. Not very often, but sometimes its possible to buy in Europe old SANTANA speakers (in which 420a are used). But firstly - they are really difficult to find in good shape/condition, secondly - its "sin" to demolish SANTANA just to have 420a. According to my friend original SANTANAs had poor tweeter, and as i saw them - they look not very nice indeed..
Reassuming - im guy who looks for 420a. I got a friend who would build speakers based on it. This friend is very good constructor of speakers as well as modificator of amplifiers and CDs.
What i do - listen to the MUSIC, build curved wooden stairs, drink wine with friends :)
So - hopefully i will find here some help in finding 420a and some suggestions too of course.
Thanks for all answers.
Mikolaj
The tweeter was the weak spot in the Santana...Altec bought it from CTS I believe, it isn't an actual Altec product...always wondered if the 427 would be better...-
The 420A is a nice sounding driver. They were my introduction to the world of Altec in a set of 872B's, which BTW I still own. For our new friend from Poland, here's the data sheet....They can still be found on E-Pray from time to time....
http://www.hostboard.com/forums/hbmc...2009/06/27.jpg
Hi, i found 420Y on ebay. It has additional tweeter as i see. you know it? Whats your opinion on it?
I have sent you a PM.
The 420 Y is essentially the Santana guts, with the CTS tweeter mounted on a brace across the center of the cone.Quote:
Originally Posted by chuligan
Most I have seen strip off the tweeter.
thanks Old guy, but 420Y its "420A PLUS tweeter" or something "different"? I mean what SOUND it has compering to 420A?
Yes, pretty much the 420A plus tweeter
AS far I have interesting offer from BOWTIE (wait for deatails) and this acuction on ebay:
Beautiful pair of Altec 420Y 15" alnico biflex speakers - eBay (item 260436030281 end time Jun-30-09 22:35:56 PDT)
What do you think about it?
Drivers look different (front), i afraid it was repaired...
And additional question - room abaut 50m2 - speakers:
a) 420a + tweeter
OR
b)420a + tweeter + bass driver
Look like original equipment manufacturer (OEM) 420s to me, though I would remove the super tweeter/mounting bar and use a higher sound quality (SQ) horn loaded one mounted in the lee between it and a woofer in a very tight vertical MTW layout, ergo I choose (B).
GM
Here are a few pics Mikolaj, it was easiest just to post these here for now. These are close S/N's 8375 and 8380. I'll PM you late tomorrow with full details.
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m...27ss/420A1.jpg
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m...27ss/420A2.jpg
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m...27ss/420A3.jpg
420A's came in both 15" rear mount and 16" front mount sizes. I have several of both models and I have good results in the largest boxes you can fit in your room. I ended up with 12cuFt cabs with a radio shack fostex tweeter for the highs.
The 420's have also worked well on open baffles - but once again large ones.
Many people discount the 420 series as novelty speakers but they sound great in the right box.
Bowtie's stuff looks very good for me.
And other guy's opinion on version with bass driver/without?
You can get really good results with this speaker, but the best way is to strip off the original tweeter, and use a big ESS Heil AMT1 tweeter or a RAAL 70-10 in combination with this woofer. There is a very good RAAL dealer in Poland his name is Witold Albecki, Sklep internetowy : - www.loudspeakershop.eu I also bought a pair of RAAL 70-10 by this guy.Quote:
Originally Posted by chuligan
Good luck, and enjoy the music, because that's the only reason we use the Altec Lansing speakers.
Thanks for that link, i heard about this guy...I know its neccessary to use better tweeter then in original santana - i thought about dynaudio 260, anyway its very difficult to find.
I will buy very nice pair of 420 from Bowtie, then have to decide if build open buffles or boxes, what tweeter and if add bass driver or not (what type?). Thanks for every suggestion.
Take in mind that it will work in room 7m x 7m or similar (about 50 m2).
It took me about 2 months to bring these drivers to Poland, but finaly i did it (I brought it personaly, during my visit in colorado!). I have it now in my home and have to take naxt steps.
Much thanks for Bowtie for patience, good price and good quality stuff.
Mikolaj
pretty cool....
please keep up informed as to how your project is progressing.