Altec santiago

[timmyd]

Hi everybody!my name is Timmy and I'm new to this forum,so every input is greatly appreciated.Just acquire a pair of Altec santiago 878A,I understand that this model is not highly rated by people that are familiar with Altec vintage products,but I swear this is the best sounding speakers I've heard so far,they do have a really big sound,tight and deep bass,the horn sound really good,midrange is excellent and HF never harsh,I used to have Belle Klipsch,Carver Amazing,Definitive BP3000tl (just sold),right now at home I still have 2 other pairs of newer speakers:Acoustics energy Aegis three(british speakers),Onix rocket rs750.These are highly rated speakers,they just cannot compare to the old Santiago.I really don't think any speakers in the range of $3k-$4k can provide a better sound than the Santiago.Do I have a hearing problem or what?everybody are invited to look at the Santiago at this link:http://picasaweb.google.com/tientsdo/AltecSantiago#5252302251342625218:banghead::banghe ad::banghead:

[Zilch]

806A HF driver, even with 30904 HF compensation, has overly forward midrange and inadequate HF extension.

Biamp and push the "CD Horn" button to achieve ~14 kHz, else replace them with BMS 4550 and appropriate compensation to extend to 20 kHz.

[shaansloan]

I really don't think any speakers in the range of $3k-$4k can provide a better sound than the Santiago.Do I have a hearing problem or what?everybody are invited to look at the Santiago at this link:http://picasaweb.google.com/tientsdo/AltecSantiago#5252302251342625218:banghead::banghe ad::banghead:

Santiago kid.....thats what we'll call ya!

Hey Timmy,
Saw your post....folks are the forum arent friendly until you have 11 posts....even then they might take a few chunks out of yer butt!

So you have discovered Vintage Altecs.....hooray...I am with ya brotha :cool:....

The reason they sound better than all those modern speakers, even the expensive ones....is because they sound better! :D....no really it is two things...the woof is not really a woof, it is a full range speaker and the horn is an amazing piece of musical mastery! Together they are the "Voice of the Theatre" which is what these old big dogs were called by Altec back in the day!

So heres what you....do not sell them....keep them...restore them to their former glory and make them your fronts....you wont find a better sounding speaker......

Want a real theatre experience....check out "The Battle of Helmsdeep" in the Lord of the Rings with these babies as your fronts....movies will never be the same.....

Also, there are many more vintage Altecs, many which are bigger and bolder than the Santiago.....which is about as big and bold as they get....

Cheers,
Shaan

[timmyd]

thank you guys for the input,specially shaansloan,so at least I know that I don't have a hearing problem,I think I'll keep the santiago for a long time.
:applaud::applaud::applaud:

[shaansloan]

806A HF driver, even with 30904 HF compensation, has overly forward midrange and inadequate HF extension.

Biamp and push the "CD Horn" button to achieve ~14 kHz, else replace them with BMS 4550 and appropriate compensation to extend to 20 kHz.

Hey Zilch,

Can you elaborate just a bit in laymens terms......

What does the biamp achieve with these specifically? is that how you get the lows even lower?
and
is the 4550 a new HF compression driver to attach to the horn? and does this give the HF extension you speak of?

Shaan

[Zilch]

Hey Zilch,

Can you elaborate just a bit in laymens terms......You don't want me to do that, trust me.... :banghead:

You Altec enthusiasts need to learn to use "Search" here; I can't be expected to keep reposting this stuff over and over for the rest of my life:

http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=187098#post187098

http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=10471#post10471

http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=211450#post211450

http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=14690

Pretend they are whatever you like, but those are the facts, as best I know them, and there are plenty more posted in these forums.

Consider this "Counterpoint...." :yes: