Fell off the Wagon....Altec Bolero 890B acquisition

The goal for now is to put these in a small space (home office) with quality amplification and not push them hard. No need to risk those tweeters. Might even look at fusing them as added insurance.

I’m really wanting to see a crossover schematic as I may just build a new set. I’m guessing these are the classic Altec fair in a sealed box, likely covered in wax (or whatever that stuff they used is).

Anyone have access to an N3000G schematic by chance?
 
marantzfan said:
The goal for now is to put these in a small space (home office) with quality amplification and not push them hard. No need to risk those tweeters. Might even look at fusing them as added insurance.

I’m really wanting to see a crossover schematic as I may just build a new set. I’m guessing these are the classic Altec fair in a sealed box, likely covered in wax (or whatever that stuff they used is).

Anyone have access to an N3000G schematic by chance?
Click to expand...
If it doesn't turn up at http://www.lansingheritage.org/ or http://alteclansingunofficial.nlenet.net/, were I you, I'd ping the member known as bowtie427ss @ AK (or anywhere else he might hang out). He knows more about Altec stuff than anyone I know (and I know some other folks who know a lot about Altec stuff...).

In terms of alternatives, might be worth asking @J-ROB or @je2a3
Heck, were they mine, I might try first order at, say, 4500 Hz (or maybe even second order)... or maybe even higher, you know, just in case. What's the Fs of that tweeter's driver? ;)
 
altec3000a.jpg


http://www.itishifi.com/2016/08/altec-3000a-tweeter.html
 
Based on the number of fried 3000 tweeters floating around including those in the Altec 601 co-ax, I wouldn't trust any of the N3000X crossover circuits. Altec tried to run the tweeters down to 3kHz which IMO is too low for such a small and delicate device. I think these tweeters are best used as fill-ins above 5kHz. I've only used 1uf PIO caps on my 3000H pair and after over 15 years, no problems.

If I had an 890B Bolero, I'll ditch the stock XO. I'll run the 406Z full-range, use a 1uf PIO cap + L-pad to the 3000 tweets.
 
je2a3 said:
Based on the number of fried 3000 tweeters floating around including those in the Altec 601 co-ax, I wouldn't trust any of the N3000X schematics floating around. Altec tried to run the tweeters down to 3kHz which IMO is too low for such a small and delicate device. I think these tweeters are best use as fill-ins above 5kHz. I've only used 1uf PIO caps on my 3000H pair and after over 15 years, no problems.

If I had an 890B Bolero, I'll ditch the stock XO. I'll run the 406Z full-range, use a 1uf PIO cap + L-pad to the 3000 tweets.
Click to expand...
I like your thinking on this.
I would, though, wouldn't I? ;)
 
I won't further clutter this thread with tales of bat slaying*
... so I'll provide a link to some more, shall we say, ultratweeter discussion ;)

http://www.hifihaven.org/index.php?...rs-or-i-musta-got-lost.3042/page-2#post-74012

Just doing my bit to tie the Prime Minister's nice (EDIT) forum into Gordian knots :confused:

gordian-knot.jpeg

_____________
* Please don't slay bats! Their numbers, at least in New England, have declined periously due to that fungal infection and (perhaps) loss of environment. I've seen none flying in our evening skies this year, e.g. :(
 
Last edited:
je2a3 said:
Based on the number of fried 3000 tweeters floating around including those in the Altec 601 co-ax, I wouldn't trust any of the N3000X crossover circuits. Altec tried to run the tweeters down to 3kHz which IMO is too low for such a small and delicate device. I think these tweeters are best used as fill-ins above 5kHz. I've only used 1uf PIO caps on my 3000H pair and after over 15 years, no problems.

If I had an 890B Bolero, I'll ditch the stock XO. I'll run the 406Z full-range, use a 1uf PIO cap + L-pad to the 3000 tweets.
Click to expand...

Interesting, that’s certainly simple. I will have to give that a try.
 
One of my friend just purchased a pair pf 890C and he love the speaker. Only issue he has with the speakers is he found the bass is on the light side. Does any expert have a suggestion to improve the bass respond on the 890C?
 
Do you still have a pair of these 3000 tweaters @Tleung ? I remember hearing them at your place when you were using them for 'top fill' on your 604Es. I'm not a fan of add-on tweeters on 604s for the most part but they sure did sound nice.
 
That is one time I kick myself when I sold them to a friend. He had been bugging me for months and finally I agree to sell it to him. But I am kicking myself now. :(
 
mhardy6647 said:
altec3000a.jpg


http://www.itishifi.com/2016/08/altec-3000a-tweeter.html
Click to expand...

I've searched high and low for a brochure on the 3000A and couldn't find one, so thanks for posting this, Mark.

I wish "Bowtie427" was on this board because of his intimate knowledge of all things Altec. Maybe we can make a suggestion. :)

The story on the 3000 series super tweets is that when Altec closed shop, one of their employees purchased (maybe along with other equipment?) the dies and such for producing the 3000 diaphragms. He was the only source. When he died a few years ago, apparently nobody was interested in the equipment, so his children sold it on ebay. There have been no known NOS 3000 series diaphragms since then. I once ran across the model # of the Altec microphone that was the source of the diaphragms used in the the tweets, but had little interest at the time and neglected to make note.

I've run across a few posts in which folks have attempted repair of the 3000 diaphragms without success. I found one post wherein a fellow deleted the original drive and modded in a drive and diaphragm from another, current, driver.

That's my limited knowledge of the 3000 series. Not much.

GeeDeeEmm

Here are some pics from a disassembled one:
Altec 3000H Diaphragm Assembly.jpg Altec 3000H Diaphragm Assembly.jpg-1.jpg Altec 3000H Diaphragm Assembly.jpg-2.jpg Altec 3000H Diaphragm Assembly.jpg-3.jpg Altec 3000H Diaphragm Assembly.jpg-6jpg.jpg
 
GeeDeeEmm said:
I've searched high and low for a brochure on the 3000A and couldn't find one, so thanks for posting this, Mark.

I wish "Bowtie427" was on this board because of his intimate knowledge of all things Altec. Maybe we can make a suggestion. :)

The story on the 3000 series super tweets is that when Altec closed shop, one of their employees purchased (maybe along with other equipment?) the dies and such for producing the 3000 diaphragms. He was the only source. When he died a few years ago, apparently nobody was interested in the equipment, so his children sold it on ebay. There have been no known NOS 3000 series diaphragms since then. I once ran across the model # of the Altec microphone that was the source of the diaphragms used in the the tweets, but had little interest at the time and neglected to make note.

I've run across a few posts in which folks have attempted repair of the 3000 diaphragms without success. I found one post wherein a fellow deleted the original drive and modded in a drive and diaphragm from another, current, driver.

That's my limited knowledge of the 3000 series. Not much.

GeeDeeEmm

Here are some pics from a disassembled one:
View attachment 7436 View attachment 7437 View attachment 7438 View attachment 7439 View attachment 7440
Click to expand...

A little known fact, but I bought my Altec 604-8G drivers from Bowtie427 years ago.

I think I invited him when we first got the Haven started, but I could be remembering wrong.

If anyone knows him well enough to extend an invitation, then by all means please do.
 
marantzfan said:
A little known fact, but I bought my Altec 604-8G drivers from Bowtie427 years ago.

I think I invited him when we first got the Haven started, but I could be remembering wrong.

If anyone knows him well enough to extend an invitation, then by all means please do.
Click to expand...
I don't know him well, but I'll ping him; can't hurt (I don't think?!). :)
 
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