DIY Altec 604E’s - A soon to be proud duplex owner.

Audionut · Feb 21, 2018

marantzfan said:
If you need some help this weekend let me know. This last two weekends I’ve earned some brownie points.

You need to cash those in then! Mine have an expiration date if not used within a certain time frame....
Thanks for offering too but I have to finish a plinth for a buddy before I can get going on any of my shenanigans.

I’ll be sure to post some pics this weekend with good progress.

oface · Jul 17, 2018

Audionut, any up dates on your project?

Audionut · Jul 18, 2018

oface said:
Audionut, any up dates on your project?

Welcome to the Haven @oface , there’s a lot of altec 604 goodness around these parts as you will soon find out. My project has been put on hold due to work and a few home remodel projects that came up. The end of this month should free up nicely to allow the completion of fabricating the cabinets. I’ll likely be adding fluted columns left and right of each cabinet, this will be more cosmetic than anything else (I may have posted a sketch on this) and may or may not veneer the cabinets in walnut.
Please tell us about your system in the new member introduction section. Post pics too!

Audionut · Feb 24, 2019

Bringing this project out of early retirement. I was able to cut rabbet joints in all but the top/bottom panels this evening. I’ll have them assembled before end of week and will opt for 1/2” backs versus 3/4”. Walnut veneer and flutted columns will likely be added also.

I have to say part why this build had stalled was that life got in the way, and the thought of not believing I would be happy with them the way they are (without a super tweeter or subwoofer; nothing against either). Now while reading up on the specs before making some important cuts (measure twice, cut once..), I came across a golden nugget, manah from the sky? How could this have been missed by so many? ALTEC 100A’s. Anyone care to comment on any experience (first or second hand) with them?

AndyN · Feb 25, 2019

Audionut said:
.. I came across a golden nugget, manah from the sky? How could this have been missed by so many? ALTEC 100A’s. Anyone care to comment on any experience (first or second hand) with them?

The writeup doesn't look promising; 10dB insertion loss: equalizers

I spent the afternoon with the backs off of my speakers (605a in 614 cabinets) listening to the low end. I didn't have time to drag out the RTA gear, but.. they drop off pretty quickly from 140 Hz in my room. I liked the semi-open baffle sound better. The closed cabinet gives deeper overall extension at the expense of some mid-bass richness.. just like the math says it will. I started the day opening them up to look for space on the front panel to mount 3000H tweets.. Now I'm kinda noodling on putting a second LF driver in the back panel, and adding 2 more channels of DSP & amplification. Blasphemy!

Edit to add: Did you get your crossover choices worked out?

Audionut · Feb 26, 2019

AndyN said:
The writeup doesn't look promising; 10dB insertion loss: equalizers

I spent the afternoon with the backs off of my speakers (605a in 614 cabinets) listening to the low end. I didn't have time to drag out the RTA gear, but.. they drop off pretty quickly from 140 Hz in my room. I liked the semi-open baffle sound better. The closed cabinet gives deeper overall extension at the expense of some mid-bass richness.. just like the math says it will. I started the day opening them up to look for space on the front panel to mount 3000H tweets.. Now I'm kinda noodling on putting a second LF driver in the back panel, and adding 2 more channels of DSP & amplification. Blasphemy!

Edit to add: Did you get your crossover choices worked out?

Interesting, I’ve also toyed with the idea of adding a second driver a la “big red” setup. @mhardy6647 did you ever come across this accessory write up or product?

I did indeed, @marantzfan was kind enough to help with custom crossovers (by help I mean do just about everything).

Audionut · Jun 3, 2019

Ok, I made a little progress today. Come to find out it’s a lotta fun making your own jig for cutting out circles with a router.....the downside is it takes a good amount of time. I was able to get the holes cut out on both baffles and should be assembling the cabinets this week.

Audionut · Jun 9, 2019

A little more advancement at Casa de la 604e. Hoping to wrap up Assembly this weekend. Doing home projects at the same time so progress is slow going.
Still debating on wether I’ll leave these in Baltic Birch and give them a modern flare (along with jbl style tapered legs) or skinning them in walnut and add fluted columns.

Audionut · Jun 17, 2019

More progress this weekend...I was reminded how much work gluing up veneer is and the fun that follows.
The tops were glued on and edges flush routed all around. Could have left well enough alone with the beautiful Baltic birch ply, but... I had two sheets of walnut veneer begging to be used and so the fun began! (A big thank you to @marantzfan for helping me stay on track & keeping things simple)

Fran604g · Jun 17, 2019

Gorgeous!

MrEd · Jun 17, 2019

Very nice work

MikeT. · Jun 17, 2019

Beautiful work. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Audionut · Jun 17, 2019

mred said:
Very nice work

Thanks, it’s a real labor of love and imagine them sounding that much better due to the sweat and blood that’s going into them.

MikeT. said:
Beautiful work. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Me too! (No “easy” or fast forward button around..). It’s actually quite fun and therapeutic.

Oh, for the record I’m doing the non fluted drawing/version. Maybe I’ll build the more decorative version on another project.

Audionut · Jun 17, 2019

Here are the legs I am contemplating (wife likes the top one and I’m leaning toward the middle one). This will allow the speaker vent/port to be under the cab, firing down and forward (slotted/angle cut).

MikeT. · Jun 17, 2019

I know we don’t get to vote, but I like the middle one too.

Audionut · Jul 1, 2019

MikeT. said:
I know we don’t get to vote, but I like the middle one too.

That’s likely what I will order, the first one has been getting more attention due to its finish (reminds me of the old jbl ones). If the middle one had the first ones finish then it would be a no brainer.

Audionut · Jul 1, 2019

A potential large event has put this project on hold (possibly for 3-6 months). I may be able to sneak in some garage time before this “event” goes full steam. Stay tuned!

marantzfan · Jul 1, 2019

Audionut said:
A potential large event has put this project on hold (possibly for 3-6 months). I may be able to sneak in some garage time before this “event” goes full steam. Stay tuned!

Man, your so close to the finish. Push through!

Audionut · Jul 1, 2019

marantzfan said:
Man, your so close to the finish. Push through!

I know! Between home projects I’ll try to sneak in some time this 4th of July weekend.
It’s a little early to say with 100% certainty but this potential “project stopper” may result in a new listening room, possibly a dedicated one!

Audionut · Jul 15, 2019

Ok a small update; snuck out for a few hours to finish the tops for the speakers. Stain/finish will take place by end of this coming weekend.

DIY Altec 604E’s - A soon to be proud duplex owner.

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