Big Altec energy vs. the classic British sound

A key point to keep in mind is that both Altec and BBC produce actual, real studio monitors. The two come from different directions: Altec came from theater sound into the studio and the home, predominantly in large spaces common in the US. BBC monitors were designed for the studio, both fixed and mobile and made their way into the domestic environment. This was in the typically smaller spaces common in the UK. Interestingly, the smallest Altec studio monitor, the 9849 is about the same size as the largest BBC Monitors, such as the LS5/8 or similar speakers like the Harbeth 40.2.

I think a fair matchup would be an optimized Altec 9849 and a Harbeth 40.2. The Altec could use the @je2a3 network or an iteration of the 32343 network that @Salectric prefers. I would lean toward an optimized 32343 and would also choose a 414-8C. I suspect the 414-8C would offer a flatter midbass at the expense of efficiency and high end roll off. I would need to use the LF network.

In another thread, a member modeled the 414-8C in the 414 and 9849 enclosures. The 414 showed what should be a satisfying midbass hump before falling off below 50hz. The 9849 low end response modeled a lot like a sealed box enclosure. I would imagine it would do best with room boundary reinforcement. No real hump, but a more gradual falloff in bass.

While researching large BBC monitors, I stumbled across this BBC Research Department Technilogical Report. A very interesting look at the development of the second series of BBC LS5 large monitors. You can see the BBC frequency response (and dispersion) that JE loves. You can also find some other details that ring a bell of familiarity. The LS5/5 crossover was built with autoformers in the crossover to isolate the filter network from the load presented to the amplifier. Joe Roberts also advocates this approach, using a loading resistor to set a firm impedance for the amp to work into.

Here’s some discussion about recreating a large BBC monitor.
 
I think one thing both directions have in common is that they're very personal, different, approaches to the 'accepted' way to be an audiophile. They're ways of pursuing better sound, but on your own terms. Not somebody else's idea of what works and sounds good. I don't personally think they sound the same, but maybe they have the same kind of motive behind them.

I never really liked most go-to audiophile gear. Not even the really high-dollar stuff. A lot of it just leaves me cold or, honestly, just doesn't sound good.
 
I recently acquired Altec Model 19's after spending a combined 10 years with Harbeth 40 series (40.1's and 40.2 Anni's). In my experience the model 19's are more enjoyable than the Harbeth flagship 40 series. I obviously enjoyed my time with the Harbeth's given I owned them for 10 years, even buying the 40.1 twice... however, now that I've experienced the big lifelike sound of the Altec Model 19's I don't miss the Harbeth's at all.
 

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I recently acquired Altec Model 19's after spending a combined 10 years with Harbeth 40 series (40.1's and 40.2 Anni's). In my experience the model 19's are more enjoyable than the Harbeth flagship 40 series. I obviously enjoyed my time with the Harbeth's given I owned them for 10 years, even buying the 40.1 twice... however, now that I've experienced the big lifelike sound of the Altec Model 19's I don't miss the Harbeth's at all.
Welcome to the haven! You will fit in nicely Here.:)
Being an Altec owner (604E’s and iconics) I thought of the harbeth 40’s as a must try, but you may have changed my mind.
 
I recently acquired Altec Model 19's after spending a combined 10 years with Harbeth 40 series (40.1's and 40.2 Anni's). In my experience the model 19's are more enjoyable than the Harbeth flagship 40 series. I obviously enjoyed my time with the Harbeth's given I owned them for 10 years, even buying the 40.1 twice... however, now that I've experienced the big lifelike sound of the Altec Model 19's I don't miss the Harbeth's at all.
That’s great. Now please delete your post before google crawls it and it drives the prices of our beloved Altec stuff even higher. Don’t need TOTL Harbeth owners realizing they can sell off their speakers and buy 3 or 4 sets of Altecs. Unless they buy them from me, of course.

- Woody

P.S. This is a joke in case you don’t know what a sarcastic asshole I am. Honestly, this is high praise. I know a few current and former Harbeth owners who echo your sentiment, including myself.
 
Well that was kinda my journey too. I really mostly digged the BBC sound up through ADS and then caved into horns once I heard a good pair. The thing with the altecs is that they seem so effortless in their presentation and of course their strength being the mid range of the spectrum has it's appeal. I guess it can be said the brit sound is also about the mid range so that is a commonality.
With that said, a big change will be scale. Altec's are all large (for the most part) while the BBC thing trends smaller scale. Just be sure your room is conducive to horn dispersion.
My first great speakers were Altec. I love the dynamics. Unfortunately I made some bad life choices and lost those. I have since rebuilt my system and am really happy with a pair of ADS but really want to try horns again.
 
Luckily I have a couple friends with Harbeth's that I get to listen to on a regular basis. While I like them a lot I don't think the Altec's will ever be replace by anything other than a different pair of Altec's.

While 19's are great, there are a few of us here that have been there and decided they prefer the single point source of 604's. Then there is going deep down the rabbit hole with flee watt tube amps an other craziness.

Welcome and Enjoy.. Believe I saw and commented on your 19's on a Facebook Altec group.
 
I have Altec A5s with 1505 horns and 604-8Gs in 620 cabinets. Do sound great and effotless on all music after playing around with crossovers and adding active subs. I still enjoy Ls3/5As though. Different sound and different music experience. But I will probably keep and play around with my Altecs while I have the space for them. If I need to move to a small apartment I might go to Harbeths or the several BBC type clones out there.
 
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