Model Nineteens

[BJ4537]

I am restoring a pair of Model Nineteens and I am not sure of the HF driver model number. There are no lablels or marking on the HF driver. There are two numbers stamped on the unit.
On the back the number is 033952 and on the side it is 39192.
The LF is a 416-8C.
Would anyone know what the HF driver model number would be?

[John]

That # 033952 is the correct part # for the model19,s high freq. driver:smthsail:

[Don McRitchie]

The 19 originally used the 802-8G HF driver which was replaced by the 902-8A around 1979. Given that your speaker has the later 416-8C, I would bet that your HF driver is the later 902-8A.

[John]

Maybe-Maybe not!!! A buddy of mine that is a forum member has a pair made in 1980 that had the 416C woofer ,but also had the alnico H.F. driver that would be the 802 version. By the way the pair i have were made in 79 and are alnico all the way. If you want to know when they were made look at the terminal hook-up area and there should be a date-code stamp beside the terminals

[BJ4537]

These units were made Nov /79. Is ther any reference list to determine the parts breakdown of the 033952?

Is ther any detail on the 902-8A HF driver. I have foud the -8B.

I have attached some pictures if it helps.

Thanks for the replies so far.

[Todd W. White]

What you have are 802-8G's. These are the small format alnico drivers with the Tangerine phasing system.

The 033952 number is probably a production code of some type, or part code. Altec used in-house part numbers for everything that were not the same as the model numbers we all remember (like 27-03-034635 for a raw 900-series driver, for example).

This number is probably the last digits from the raw driver number. The in-house xx-xx-xxxxxx number probably ended in 033952.

Hope this helps!

[BJ4537]

Thanks for the help. I now have a base line to work from.

Has anyone ever change modified the crossover from1200 HZ to 800Hz?

Comments

BJ

[Todd W. White]

You can, but I wouldn't - the Model 19 just DOESN'T sound as good, or handle as much power.....

[Volker]

I own a pair of alnico 19s with 033952 HF drivers. The HF driver look exact like the ones on the photos. In the original instruction manual of the speaker the woofer is listed as 416-8b and the HF replacement driver as 033952. The dealer who sold me the speakers was a long time altec expert and told me that the 033952 is a 802-8G with a lighter diagphragma, used in the 19s and 14s. I do not know if this true or myth, but i measured both 033952 and 902-8A and the 033952 has much more extended HF, so perhaps the statement about a special diagphragma is true. If so, it would be interisting to know which of the current production diagphragmas would be a correct replacement part.

[BJ4537]

Thanks for the information. I have located the specs on the 802-8G and they are only 10 Watts. There is also a note that they are equipped with a very light diapharm and are the Alnico magnets.

Question: Does anyone know where you can get the 416-8C reconned in Toronto. The placed I have used for years The Sound Room (Kingston St. Toronto) is closed.

Have a great day!

[GordonW]

Originally posted by Todd W. White
You can, but I wouldn't - the Model 19 just DOESN'T sound as good, or handle as much power.....

Agreed.

Just because the horn is techinically capable of running down to an 800 Hz crossover point, doesn't mean it's going to sound better down there. There's oftentimes something to be said, for not running things "on the ragged edge" of their capabilities.

Regards,
Gordon.

[thevott]

In the Model Nineteen Altec struck a great balance between the enclosure, woofer, horn, driver and 1200Hz network/equalizer.

However, in most (perhaps larger) applications I am personally delighted with the sound of the 802/902 HF drivers when used all the way down to their recommended 500Hz limit. To this day I have never burned one out either! Knock on wood:)

MP

[BJ4537]

Thanks for the input. Based on your comments I will leave as it is.
But you now have me worried about blowing these HF drivers. I plan to run the nineteens with a 170 Watt per channel power amp.

When I looked at the specs on the nineteens they said 10 to 350 watt Amp Rating with power rating of 65 watts. I do listen to music very load and maybe I have made the wrong selection, or am I going to consume the power in the crossover as there are high power low ohms resisters?

[thevott]

Altec speakers are very efficient. The Model Nineteens will rock the roof off the house with relatively less power than many other systems...and they will sound better too. Nineteens are quite sufficient for most home applications. They are, however, not the largest speakers Altec made so there is always room to grow!

MP

[Chas]

My experience suggests not using an 811B down to 800 Hz, it ony exascerbates the ringing of the horn. Even the 511B has issues at 800, IMHO.

[GordonW]

Originally posted by Chas
My experience suggests not using an 811B down to 800 Hz, it ony exascerbates the ringing of the horn. Even the 511B has issues at 800, IMHO.

That was my take on it. The 802/902 DRIVER is capable of going lower (at the cost of some power handling, and the need for a steeper crossover), but the 811 FLARE isn't, really. Don't wanna get close to unloading the flare on the bottom end...

Regards,
Gordon.

[thevott]

I have never had a ringing problem with 811B horns as long as they are bolted in to an enclosure. The 511B horns do ring though if not dampened. Mine usually don't ring because they are always full of stuff. Altec horns are a handy place to toss nuts, bolts, cords, adaptors, guitar picks, change, Etc. Etc.

If you can get past the ringing thing they are truley great sounding horns when used down to their limit.

MP