ELectro-Voice Empire sound better then Altec Valencia

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Posted by duboiz on March 3, 2007 at 17:49:18

I know I will be bashed by Altec's fans but here it goes.

Lately I got a pair of vintage Altec Valenicas (version 1 with port on the side of the horn). I own a pair of Electro-Voice, three way Empire for a couple of years right now however all the reviews and fans of Altec stuff made me curious of how they compare. I manage to find a nice pair locally at a good price ($500), and from the original owner who purchase them back then in 1972.

When A/B them side by side on my Fisher 500C tube receiver (fully restored), JoLida JD100A CD player I was surprise to find out how well the Empire sound compare to the Valencias. The Valencia highs was not there, the bottom end was woolly and far from been tight. The only thing that it did well was vocal. This made the speakers as a good P.A. speakers with great texture to the vocal; not that the Empire sound bad in compare, I actually liked vocal better on the Empire as well due to lake of ringing and nasal effect. Both sound big, efficient with great present however.

I sold the Valecia and did not found as yet something to sound better. Tried Magnepans, Klipsch LaScallas and Chorus, Bose (oldies), Pioneer (Oldies), Sansui (Oldies), Polkes (some considered high end), Martin Logans, Paradigms, B&W (low end sucks, high end quite good) and many more I can't remember right now.

Do yourself a favor and find someone to give you listening session, you will be surprise. If you own an Altec and love it, do not asked for an A/B with an Electro-Voice you might not like what your hear.

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Topic - ELectro-Voice Empire sound better then Altec Valencia - duboiz 17:49:18 03/03/07 (24)

Re: ELectro-Voice Empire sound better then Altec Valencia - Audiobarn 02:08:46 03/05/07 (1)

Re: ELectro-Voice Empire sound better then Altec Valencia - Duboiz 08:52:52 03/05/07 (0)

Photos of my EV Empires - duboiz 12:39:19 03/04/07 (2)

Re: Photos of my EV Empires - Tom Brennan 13:16:48 03/04/07 (0)

Re: Photos of my EV Empires - MortifiedbyIdiots 12:52:39 03/04/07 (0)

Here are 2 possibilities to explain what you heard - AmanteDiMusica 11:23:09 03/04/07 (0)

Just what is an E-V Empire? - David Yost 05:37:59 03/04/07 (4)

Re: Just what is an E-V Empire? - Duboiz 06:16:44 03/04/07 (3)

Re: Just what is an E-V Empire? - GM 07:41:38 03/04/07 (2)

Read the instructions...PING! Tom Brennan... - Don Bunce 06:31:30 03/10/07 (1)

Re: Read the instructions...PING! Tom Brennan... - GM 13:07:08 03/10/07 (0)

Re: ELectro-Voice Empire sound better then Altec Valencia - Tom Brennan 17:54:03 03/03/07 (12)

Re: ELectro-Voice Empire sound better then Altec Valencia - Duboiz 21:24:04 03/03/07 (11)

Re: ELectro-Voice Empire sound better then Altec Valencia - Saturntube 23:35:19 03/03/07 (10)

Re: ELectro-Voice Empire sound better then Altec Valencia - Duboiz 02:25:41 03/04/07 (9)

Re: ELectro-Voice Empire sound better then Altec Valencia - Saturntube 09:30:03 03/04/07 (7)

Re: ELectro-Voice Empire sound better then Altec Valencia - Duboiz 10:38:03 03/04/07 (6)

Re: ELectro-Voice Empire sound better then Altec Valencia - DaveV 11:08:24 03/04/07 (5)

Re: Regency Vs Empire. - duboiz 12:17:03 03/04/07 (4)

Re: Regency Vs Empire. - DaveV 14:31:12 03/04/07 (3)

Re: Regency Vs Empire. - Saturntube 14:51:18 03/04/07 (2)

Re: Regency Vs Empire. - danali 17:07:32 03/05/07 (1)

Re: Regency Vs Empire. - Saturntube 18:54:37 03/05/07 (0)

I'm wearing shorts right now! - Elmo 05:14:08 03/04/07 (0)

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