WTD. Large Horn Speakers Altec or JBL

[anubisgrau]

Yes I was discussing these with the last owner before this new guy bought them. I'm pretty sure they were under a grand, then this guy bought them and listed them within days at an even higher price than this initially.

If you put a hype of "Bastanis driver" aside, I'm sure you can source all the drivers and parts for under 600 grand, probably less. How much you need for a birch ply cabinet in the UK I have no idea. There's a plenty of info about this concept on the net.

[Lawrence001]

True and many of the Bastanis drivers are Eminence woofers with a varnish applied and some little pucks (for want of a better name) stuck on to dampen the response. Not disparaging the difficulty or effect of doing this mod mind you.

[sailor]

Hi Nick, the Altec model 19 would fill that space without breaking a sweat. They employ one of the best mid/bass drivers available, the 416. I have not heard better. Great Plains Audio still produce them. 101dB sensitivity. This is also one of the very very few drivers that is able to play at low volume without losing the plot.

Paradoxically for a 15" driver the bass does not go very low but makes up for it with awesome tone and clout. It is possible to find a modern 6" or 8" driver that will go lower but to achieve this, sensitivity is lost. With the 3 main requirements being: good sensitivity, low bass and size, you can pick any 2, that's it unfortunately.

The choice of small diameter and low bass requirement means a lack of sensitivity necessitating huge power input. Average for a small driver is 86dB, a 15dB difference!

So an 8W amp could produce 110dB on the Altec but would require 256W on the 86dB speaker which would not be happy. Then there is the sound. There is no replacement for displacement.

You are in the fortunate position of having the space to use and appreciate the Altec line. There is also the Altec VOTT A5 or A7 and the Altec 604 which is a co-ax like the Tannoys. Lots of fun. They need to be heard. Little speakers have their place but simply can not produce the effortless sound the big ones can.

[nickv]

That's what I thought Charles, in my naivety maybe, but a 15" speaker will have more presence in my large space. The domestic looking tower floorstanders may be lower in the bass range and as some have 3 woofers I guess they do go low. Maybe it's a machismo thing but I want to try a big squarish box with 15" woofers and with horns.

Finding some for £2,000 is my challenge.

[Macca]

You could possibly find some 15'' Tannoys for that budget. They tick all the boxes you have.


Don't think there is much if any chance of finding the Altecs in this country. Plenty available in the USA but all for over £4K. Plus shipping, duty, VAT...

[nickv]

Many thanks Martin and Charles.

What about buying these and sending them for a service and checkover?:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184676919973?ul_noapp=true

[Dylanthecat]

You could possibly find some 15'' Tannoys for that budget. They tick all the boxes you have.
Don't think there is much if any chance of finding the Altecs in this country. Plenty available in the USA but all for over £4K. Plus shipping, duty, VAT...

Maybe a pair of Arden though the challenge would be finding a pair under £2K. A large pair of Altecs horns (studio monitors) sold locally a few years back but I gather that they sold for nearer £10K. Supply and demand is the issue. Good luck with the search. 4 weeks earlier and I knew of a pair of Lancaster up for grabs well within your budget.

PS be very wary on duty charges, they are determined on market valve (UK) not what you paid for them!

[walpurgis]

Many thanks Martin and Charles.

What about buying these and sending them for a service and checkover?:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184676919973?ul_noapp=true

Be very wary of these, they are not an original model and are an assortment of unmatched bits, not something I'd get involved with. Goodness knows why those horrible piezo tweeters are there.

[walpurgis]

Personally, I think a pair of Kralk TDB-12 would probably offer most of what you want at a comparatively modest price. You may find members willing to sell theirs.

Review: http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazin...9;d%20expected.

[nickv]

Thx. I'll steer clear.

I could get these collected from Italy, but the Brexit costs scare me a little...Ignore the grills, these are home made.

https://usato.audiograffiti.com/annu...ustici/246579/

Or these

https://usato.audiograffiti.com/annu...ustici/250290/

Or these:

https://usato.audiograffiti.com/annu...ustici/252982/

Getting them from Italy doesn't phase me as I know of couriers that could collect. The language and getting ripped off is a bit of a worry, but I can take careful steps to ensure these are genuine sales.

Then there are these in the UK I could try to get for £2K, but I prefer the horn away from the driver...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/402416534318

Really appreciate everyone's input. Getting them from Italy may be less complex than from the USA.