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Altec Carmels?

68.223.13.174
Posted on November 1, 2009 at 05:18:21
mark_mayajensen@bellsouth.net
Audiophile

Posts: 20
Location: Atlanta
Joined: March 24, 2008
 I've been frustrated in my search for affordable Model 19's but have found a nice pair of Carmels (original owner from early 60's). Price is $900. Dual 414z alnico woofers with 811 horn and 806 drivers.

Will use a pair of WE91 300b type monoblocks to drive them. 13' x 15' room. Low listening levels.

What is the downside of the Carmels verses the 19's?

Thanks,

Mark

RE: Altec Carmels?, posted on November 3, 2009 at 23:47:06
djgaloot
Audiophile

Posts: 99
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: September 8, 2004
 I don't have the 19's but I do have Malibu's which are like the Carmels but with the 414's in a vertical arrangement below the 811. Love them!

Any tweaks?, posted on November 4, 2009 at 17:10:09
mark_mayajensen@bellsouth.net
Audiophile

Posts: 20
Location: Atlanta
Joined: March 24, 2008
 The Carmels should arrive this weekend! Are you running your Malibu's stock?

Mark

RE: Any tweaks?, posted on November 6, 2009 at 21:58:28
djgaloot
Audiophile

Posts: 99
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: September 8, 2004
 No real tweaks yet. I am running them in a multi-purpose environment. For DVD listening they are run stock. For movie watching I use two 15" infinite baffle subs and cut out the lower frequencies to the Altecs because I do not want to damage them with LFEs. Sounds pretty darn good either way. Currently I am using an older H/K a/v receiver. I have an analog set-up I want to hook up as a second source which consists of a Fisher X-202 integrated tube amp and Thorenss TD160 turntable. I have measured the in-room response and the higher frequencies start to roll-off about 12k which is pretty typical. One of the altec forums has an extensive thread about (I believe) 9844s which are similar to the Carmels but with a smaller enclosure. They did a lot of experimenting with different horn drivers, diaphragms, etc. I do not have the link but it is worth looking into if you really want to know what is going on with these components.

you going to show, posted on November 4, 2009 at 17:49:54
Oface
Audiophile

Posts: 995
Location: columbia, south carolina
Joined: May 3, 2003
 any pics when they arrive?

If you had more questions, you could go to the unofficial Altec forum




-chris
picture, posted on November 4, 2009 at 18:17:51
mark_mayajensen@bellsouth.net
Audiophile

Posts: 20
Location: Atlanta
Joined: March 24, 2008



From the seller. Am I being a pest with my questions?

no....., posted on November 6, 2009 at 16:05:03
Oface
Audiophile

Posts: 995
Location: columbia, south carolina
Joined: May 3, 2003
 But it is like porn... next we want some video....jk!! ;^)

Those look really good......enjoy!!


-chris

Got to find somebody here in WV whith some Atlecs, posted on November 4, 2009 at 19:04:21
Paully
Audiophile

Posts: 4167
Location: West Virginia
Joined: February 15, 2004
 I have just been waiting to hear some. I guess its just time to buy a pair, can always sell them later. Nice buy though, I am jealous!

RE: Altec Carmels?, posted on November 2, 2009 at 13:42:47
Tom Brennan
Audiophile

Posts: 5056
Joined: January 2, 2000
 Compared to the 19 the Carmel is lacking extreme highs and lows. However the midrange from the 414s of the Carmels is arguably a little better than the mids of the 416 used in the 19. Both the Carmel and 19 are IMO first rate speakers. As far as dynamics, clarity and imaging go the Carmel is the equal of the 19.

I recently owned both 19s and the Heathkit version of the Carmel, the AS-21. IMO the 19 is the better speaker but not by much.
RE: Altec Carmels?, posted on November 4, 2009 at 17:13:24
mark_mayajensen@bellsouth.net
Audiophile

Posts: 20
Location: Atlanta
Joined: March 24, 2008
 Thanks Tom! Do you know what the 811/806 tops out at? 12-13k hz perhaps? My 50 year old years can get to maybe 14.5 ...wondering about adding a tweeter. Carmels arrive this weekend!

Mark

RE: Altec Carmels?, posted on November 3, 2009 at 07:12:07
terrapin
Audiophile

Posts: 110
Location: ny
Joined: November 22, 2005
 Where would the 846A Valencia fit into this conversation?
Thanks.

RE: Altec Carmels?, posted on November 3, 2009 at 12:25:00
Tom Brennan
Audiophile

Posts: 5056
Joined: January 2, 2000
 The Valencia used the same treble section as the Carmel but used a single 15" 416 woofer rather than the double 12" 414 woofers of the Carmel. Sound is more alike than not IMO&E.

RE: Altec Carmels?, posted on November 3, 2009 at 17:58:31
jnorv
Audiophile

Posts: 1315
Location: San Jose, Ca
Joined: February 18, 2002
 Tommy, have you figured out how to download your data base? My Dad had an incredable amount of info stored in his brain but I lost it when he passed.

Jim

RE: Altec Carmels?, posted on November 3, 2009 at 09:31:54
Uncle Mike
Audiophile

Posts: 1305
Location: Eastern Pa.
Joined: June 20, 2003
 I believe it's a larger box with 802 drivers on an 811 horn with a 416 low frequecy driver. I own the 846b which came with an unfinished cabinet.

RE: Altec Carmels?, posted on November 1, 2009 at 06:35:24
David Yost
Audiophile

Posts: 513
Location: Atlanta
Joined: May 12, 2006
 The Carmel won't be as extended in the upper octaves and probably will need stands to sound their best. Nonetheless, they are nice sounding speakers and quite efficient. Also, the trim pots will probably need a good cleaning. I don't know how well the original caps age, but they might be ready for replacement, too. Lastly, the surround treatment will have pooled towards the bottom of the woofers, so if they can be rotated 180 degrees without damage, you should probably turn them.

$900/pair sounds right for a very mint pair of Carmel's, but also right for an average pair of 19's -- whereas a mint set of 19's would probably set you back another $500-600. Maybe you can add a pair of Fostex tweeters to the Carmal's, regain some missing "air" and still come out ahead?

Good luck,
David

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