Altec Question

[Stormwarrior]

How good are the Altec model 5, 7 and 9 series and what do they sound like? Is this series comparable in sound and build to similar jbl models?

[Stormwarrior]

Anybody?

[hjames]

How good are the Altec model 5, 7 and 9 series
and what do they sound like? Is this series comparable in sound and build to similar jbl models?

No offense meant, but that covers a lot of ground ...
Perhaps best to ask at the Altec site?

I did a search on THIS site and found this link to an old catalog ...

http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/altec/catalogs/1978-home/page04.jpg

But - ALTEC LANSING is out of business
(well, the name is sold to someone not related to the ORIGINAL firm)
and parts can be hard to come by ...

Is there any reason why these speakers have charmed you,
as opposed to other bookshelf speakers by JBL which may be more servicable if needed?

[Stormwarrior]

Thanks for the link and the reply.. I was hoping someone may have once had or has the Altec's and could give me an idea of what kind of sound and performance to expect from them?

[grumpy]

inexpensive drivers, made for a particular price point ... they can sound OK.
I wouldn't go looking for them, personally... but I wouldn't be embarrassed to
have them playing in the garage, either :)

[Stormwarrior]

grumpy..Thanks for the reply. What would say a model 7 be worth in nice condition?

[hjames]

grumpy..Thanks for the reply. What would say a model 7 be worth in nice condition?

Gotta find the right buyer - its an obsolete speaker from a dead company -
"value" is anybody's guess ...
If you like what they sound like - offer the seller $100 and start negotiating.
If they are yours, put them on ebay and see what they go for.

(but remember, if they were REAL popular speakers,
chances are Altec would not be a dead company right now, right?)

[Stormwarrior]

Good point:) There is a pair of model 7's for sale locally for the asking price of $300 best offer.. They were recently re-foamed and appear to be in nice shape.. They are an hour or so drive away, so I haven't had the chance to hear them.. I was hoping to find something for a "man cave" that will rock and these popped up, so I am considering them..

[hjames]

Good point:) There is a pair of model 7's for sale locally for the asking price of $300 best offer.. They were recently re-foamed and appear to be in nice shape.. They are an hour or so drive away, so I haven't had the chance to hear them.. I was hoping to find something for a "man cave" that will rock and these popped up, so I am considering them..

If his price is negotiable,
pick some CDs you like and head over for a listen. :D

[SEAWOLF97]

inexpensive drivers, made for a particular price point ... they can sound OK.
I wouldn't go looking for them, personally... but I wouldn't be embarrassed to
have them playing in the garage, either :)

agree with Grumpy ...someone gave me a pair of 6's ....although the drivers were cast, they were odd sizes and difficult to refoam...didnt seem particularly well built....I finally gave up, removed the drivers and now use the cabinet sides for cheap shelves.

http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=191377&postcount=27

for $300 ..you can do a lot better in the "L" series JBL line and the difference in driver quality will be worth it

PS..I never did get to hear what the 6's sounded like..:(

[Stormwarrior]

Thanks for the help guys!

[Russellc]

Call Bill H. at Great plains Audio. He can tell you about them if they are worth knowing about. Can also inform you as to "repairability", but he mostly deals with the larger Altec stuff. He's about the last remnant of Altec.

Russellc