DIY Altec 2 Way Build ala JELabs - 802/32/414

[Wntrmute2]

@jmathers runs a pair with his 414/32b setup. Might want to check with him.

 

[RPMac]

Yeah. I'm using an NHT 1259 sealed sub with a 200W plate amplifier. Definitely fills in the bottom registers. It's not bad without the sub, but I prefer it with.

Ironically, given your opening phrase, I also used that sub with my...wait for it...Klipsch Heresy IIIs. :P

I'm also using a sealed SVS sub in the basement with my 604E's. Provided you have a sub that can keep up with the Altecs, it's great.

I had Klipsch Heresy II’s sitting on a pair of subs for about 20some years.(SET amps helped a lot)
I think most all speakers need some kind of help on the bottom end.

 

[Phillip Jeffries]

First post here, but it seemed like a good place to start. I traded a beat up pair of AR-3A’s for a beat up pair of 9849-8D’s. So far I love them with my Mac MC-225 and Conrad Johnson PV-10. I love the mids and the dynamics at lower listening volumes. I will say I could use a little bit more sparkle up top, but a few of the crossover caps were physically leaking electrolyte so I’ll withhold my judgement on that until the new ones come in tomorrow.

I swapped back in a pair of AR-10pi’s and immediately noticed the lack of dynamics. They’re still an excellent speaker, but the altecs do something special.

The 9849-8a I had briefly had the loading cap on the compression driver, which is not a capacitor but a plastic piece between the diaphragm and cover that many feel attenuated the highs. There’s some info on the forum about how to remove them. I always do. It still seemed like the high frequency control needed to be at max to get a balanced sound.

I thought the bass was pretty good…had kind of a thuddy quality, but seemed reasonably deep, to me. Maybe not ar3 level, of course.

 

[FalseMetal666]

The 9849-8a I had briefly had the loading cap on the compression driver, which is not a capacitor but a plastic piece between the diaphragm and cover that many feel attenuated the highs. There’s some info on the forum about how to remove them. I always do. It still seemed like the high frequency control needed to be at max to get a balanced sound.

I thought the bass was pretty good…had kind of a thuddy quality, but seemed reasonably deep, to me. Maybe not ar3 level, of course.

I’m running my custom speakers with GPA 414 and Altec 802-8G on Lycan 808 horns, with crossovers from a pair of 9849.

I also find that they need very little attenuation.

 

[doglv]

My name is doglv and it's been 1445 days since I've built a WE 753.

Please hurry with a hotline number. Feeling vulnerable and weak.

 

[Audionut]

My name is doglv and it's been 1445 days since I've built a WE 753.

Please hurry with a hotline number. Feeling vulnerable and weak.

View attachment 74705

Be strong fellow havenite! I try to avoid this thread and @je2a3 posts for that reason; remove the temptation!
I don’t want to build a set, I don’t want to build a set, I don’t want to build a set….

 

[MrEd]

My name is doglv and it's been 1445 days since I've built a WE 753.

Please hurry with a hotline number. Feeling vulnerable and weak.

View attachment 74705

Just dial 1- send 2 me now and we will take that stuff off your hands to begin your recovery.

 

[je2a3]

My name is doglv and it's been 1445 days since I've built a WE 753.

Please hurry with a hotline number. Feeling vulnerable and weak.

View attachment 74705

Is that a Jensen field coil, A12?

 

[doglv]

Is that a Jensen field coil, A12?

Yes it is JE... you get a cookie!

Itching the OB and FC itch simultaneously.

 

[je2a3]

@doglv - I had an A12 years ago, I thought it had slightly snappier mids than the 414A, albeit less bass extension. I got tired of waiting for a match, so I unloaded it. Maybe I should've been more patient... 😊

 

[doglv]

@doglv - I had an A12 years ago, I thought it had slightly snappier mids than the 414A, albeit less bass extension. I got tired of waiting for a match, so I unloaded it. Maybe I should've been more patient...

I traded for three: one was open, one needed major glue surgery but measures and sounds OK (so far), and the last one was all good.

Which is probably par for course for these unless you pay the freight for properly measured and dated matched pairs (which I'm too cheap to do).

Cant tell you much about the sound yet as I'm still tinkering with the power supply.

MrEd has been a big help as the Resident Haven A12 Sherpa. Thanks MrEd!

 

[gortnipper]

Can you marry one and two?

 

[doglv]

Can you marry one and two?

A long reply to your comment:

I played a joke on a friend who is the go-to church organ and tube guitar amp repair guy in this region. He has very good ears. I secretly hooked up my Iphone as a source and a $25 cheapo Chinese ebay chip amp. He thought the Eico HF-60, which he refurbished, was playing… his all time favorite amp. His response was that he was loving what he heard. He was gushing on about the snappy realism and presence. The difference from my system he heard before was the woofer. My point is…

As audiophiles, we talk about amps and sources adnauseum but rarely do we discuss arguably the single most influential component of sound quality which is the cone of the woofer... Especially with the 2 ways so prominently loved around here... and rightfully so.

I wish I had the patience and skill to roll cones and spiders etc.. but I can barely cobble together a crossover. It’s not just only that I cant do it but 99% of the recone techs are pro audio guys. Cones are made and implemented for different reasons than to appeal to lovers of low watt high efficiency. You can put Altec in that group as well. What this world needs is a cone guy like what Tsingtao is to horns.