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Altec/Western Electric speaker-bearing UK denizens and Californians

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Posted on October 21, 2015 at 13:07:26
joel23
Audiophile

Posts: 10
Location: London
Joined: January 8, 2015
 Hi All,

I'm shortly about to move from the UK to California, and will be looking to put together an Altec A5 multicell system as well as slowly acquiring an Altec 755A and (here's to hoping....) a WE 757A for music-making.

I just wanted to see if any other peeps in the UK [or the Los Angeles area for after the move....] had such systems (or field coil speakers - hey, I'm a flexible-kind-of-guy) and if someone might be kind enough to give advice about these sorts of speakers (cabinet and crossover combinations etc.) or EVEN allow me to have a listen to their efforts before I leave for good! It'd be great to have a better idea of what I'm aiming towards in this kind of speaker set-up.

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum area.

Cheers,

Joel

 

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RE: Altec/Western Electric speaker-bearing UK denizens and Californians, posted on October 23, 2015 at 10:40:58
lokie
Audiophile

Posts: 1989
Location: Georgia, USA
Joined: January 28, 2003
 UK to California?

Hmmm...

First- Buy some sunglasses.

Second- Are you married? If not, you won't be thinking about speakers for a while.

3rd- No worries about acquiring Altec speakers in California. People give them away on Craigslist.

 

LOL...even residents of RioLinda know better than to give away an Altec 755A on CL (nt), posted on October 23, 2015 at 13:36:45
Steve O
Audiophile

Posts: 12383
Location: SE MI
Joined: September 6, 2001

 

RE: Altec/Western Electric speaker-bearing UK denizens and Californians, posted on October 24, 2015 at 05:45:58
joel23
Audiophile

Posts: 10
Location: London
Joined: January 8, 2015
 Haha you're right - as a sunglasses-less graduate bachelor, speakers might not be my first priority!

Getting my Garrard 401 and a few hundred records across the pond is another question though.... Any tips?

I won't hold my breath for the rare stuff to pop up miraculously on Craigslist, hopefully should find some of the VOT gear though.

Joel

 

if your search for vintage Altec comes up short....., posted on October 24, 2015 at 10:35:53
Oface
Audiophile

Posts: 1497
Location: columbia, south carolina
Joined: May 3, 2003
 You can always buy new drivers, woofers, XO's, brand new at Great Plains Audio.

ALl you will need is to have someone build, you can diy new cabs, or find some vintage cabs. Sometimes, if lucky, you can find them local and for very cheap/free, since moist do not want to ship large cabinets due to the associated costs.

 

RE: if your search for vintage Altec comes up short....., posted on November 17, 2015 at 10:31:16
joel23
Audiophile

Posts: 10
Location: London
Joined: January 8, 2015
 Hi Oface,

Sorry for the seriously late reply, I somehow missed the notification..

Thanks very much, I'd heard about GPA and will definitely consider them as aback-up.

Though I'm sure I speak for more than a few people when a large part of me wants to find the vintage stuff haha.
Joel

 

RE: Altec/Western Electric speaker-bearing UK denizens and Californians, posted on November 17, 2015 at 18:06:46
hottattoo
Audiophile

Posts: 141
Location: New York
Joined: July 30, 2011
 joel23,

First thing to do is join the Orange county audio society. There are many people there who can help with any audio questions you have. There are several club members who are horn / high efficiency speaker lovers in the greater LA area. Seek and you shall find.

 

RE: Altec/Western Electric speaker-bearing UK denizens and Californians, posted on November 19, 2015 at 10:08:10
joel23
Audiophile

Posts: 10
Location: London
Joined: January 8, 2015
 Thanks very much for the suggestion, I'll certainly do that!

I can only assume that you are one of those enthusiasts?
Joel

 

RE: Altec/Western Electric speaker-bearing UK denizens and Californians, posted on November 19, 2015 at 13:14:59
hottattoo
Audiophile

Posts: 141
Location: New York
Joined: July 30, 2011
 Joel23,

You are correct. I am one of those guys bitten by the horn / high efficiency bug. While I am not a member of the Orange county club since I live in NYC, I know several people whom I have met over the years who are. I became very interested in horn speakers after hearing Dr. Bruce Edgars' Titan horn system at a CES several years ago. While not "perfect" his system had clarity, power, dynamics, efficiency that no other system at the show could touch. I went to Dr. Bruce Edgar's home a couple of years ago while at a Newport audio show seeking advice on a front loaded horn design. Dr.Bruce is a kind and brilliant person who took the time to help me come up with a mid bass horn the size I wanted. Listening to his field coil loaded Titan horn system was a real treat !!!! So, I now have a pair of front loaded 75hz. horns using a pair of Altec 515b's per cabinet--flat to 58hz. in room.

I also visited the home of Richard Drysdale in Anaheim( one the Cogent field coil designers ) and listened to his system--that was an ear opener !!!!

I was also lucky that at the time of my visit, Dr. Bruce had a pair of field coil converted JBL 2441 drivers with beryllium diaphragms for sale---they are now mine. These drivers are now mated to a pair of Sierra Brooks 26" diameter 200hz solid wood tractrix horns. The high end is handled by a TAD ET-703 tweeter. The subwoofer system uses a pair of dual opposed TC Sounds LMS5400's in a 9.5 cu.ft. sealed enclosures powered by a pair of Crown I-Tech 5000hd amps strapped as mono blocks. The system uses 6db passive crossovers ( except subs ) and is about 107db one watt efficient from 58hz to bat territory--my speaker search is over !!! Add an assortment SET amps and you are in horn heaven !!!

I wish I knew about horns 30yrs. ago--could have saved LOTS of money.

All the nice people mentioned ( and many others not mentioned )in this post live within 75 miles of downtown L.A.

 

RE: Altec/Western Electric speaker-bearing UK denizens and Californians, posted on November 22, 2015 at 12:41:54
joel23
Audiophile

Posts: 10
Location: London
Joined: January 8, 2015
 Hottattoo,

Thanks for the info on your system - a lot to digest! I hope to build up to something on that scale eventually.

Your last comment exactly captures one of the most striking features (to me at least) about the whole high efficiency/horn + triodes approach - the majority of enthusiasts of horns et al. come to them after a long journey in different directions, and see no reason to ever go back their former systems!

In short, I'm hoping to start out in the right direction! Hopefully, with help from people like those whom you mentioned in your reply.
Joel

 

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