Anyone else own Altec 604's?

[scott fitlin]

Are there any plans that I could follow to build my own crossovers?

http://www.hostboard.com/cgi-bin/ult...b/forum/f/3729

[Dylanl]

From your post on Hostboard, I learned your 604s are either Cs or Ds, which crossed at 1600 (not 16000) Hz, and used the Altec N1600 16 ohm crossover. The N1600 is also the XO listed for the 605A and the 16 ohm 605B, so IF the crossover in question is a 16 ohm Altec N1600, the answer would be yes.

There is a pair of 605B crossovers on ebay now that is why I ask. One of the drivers is a C and one is a D.

[Dylanl]

here is the link:


http://cgi.ebay.com/PR-NIB-16-Ohm-Al...QQcmdZViewItem

[moldyoldy]

That's an XO model I've never seen before, but it definitely is the correct XO for your duplexes, and obviously is in great shape.

If it were me, I'd price new ones from GPA, and let that be a guideline for bidding the eBay ones.

Good luck in your search!

[Earl K]

- CLICK HERE ! to browse Jeff Markwarts' webpage.

- He has posted many schematics for his different crossover designs. He's covered off most of the various 604 & 605 duplexes .

- I believe I would first buildup the 604B ( with MF EQ ) for a listen .

[Dylanl]

Yes I have read that page before and have it saved. I wrote him also on what he would think is the best way to go.

Thanks

[CONVERGENCE]

Second Order (-12db per octave) Networks Two Way Networks
Butterworth
Tweeter
Impedance 16 Ohms C1 = 4.39uF L1= 2.25mH



Woofer
Impedance 16 Ohms L2 = 2.25mH C2 = 4.39uF Frequency Hertz 1600 XO


C1 4.39
L1 2.25
L2 2.25
C2 4.39


HIGHPASS TWEETER L2 SHOULD READ L1

[Dylanl]

This seems pretty simple I should be able to build this I would think?

[moldyoldy]

That's as simple as it gets for generic, bare bones, though adding some form of HF attenuation will likely be desireable. Jeff's stock and enhanced Altec schematics are more complex with more components to optimize the performance of your particular speaker, and the difference will be audible. The simple circuit should suffice if you can't afford the other options at the moment.

[sa660]

I owned a system with a 604-E and and 515B as a woofer.
The sound was very good. But I did not like the midrange. I found it to harsh. I always wonder if this was due to the cone not be able to crossover @1500Hz or to the horn being too short.

[CONVERGENCE]

I see that you were running it in a 3 way type.

I presume the low pass was 350 HZ Then 350hz to 1500hz on the 604E woofer
and 1500hz and beyond on the tweeter horn driver.

It's important to open the L pad all the way to let those High frequencies
out . Theres a lot of information above 3000 Hz .For example Vocals become clear at 3000hz and outstanding at 8000 Hz.

I could go on and on with evry musical instrument .We're getting into the field of EQ recording. Which is more complex than just putting a mic in front of an instrument.

HORNS AND STRINGS ....................SCRATCHY AT 3KHZ........................ ................................................. HOT 8-12KHZ...............................
................................................. HUNKY AT1KHZ.............................
................................................. CLARITY ABOVE 2KHZ....................
............ MUDDY BELOW 120HZ STRINGS ARE LUSH AT 400-600HZ.

HHHORNSornHorns and StringsScratchy at 3 KHz. Ho444400-600HZnky at 1 KHz. Muddy below 120 HzHORNot at 8-12 KHz. Clarity above 2 KHz. Strings are lush
I hope this has clarified how a sound system behaves.

.................................................. ...................

[sa660]

The system was more like the famous JBL 4435 or the new model DD66000 with the 604 has a full range and the 515 as a subwoofer only.
The 515 was crossover with a huge coil inductance, around 120hz.
I beleive the cabinet was made back in the 1960.

Regards,

[caladois]

Here is the special Altec speaker

[pargon]

I take it that they did not intially live up to your expectations? I echo the caveats about crossovers. I use mine with a variety of active crossovers, using tubes for the hi and ss for the low. I like the flexibility (ie. crossover point, time delay, independent volume control) afforded by active x's and the sound is very good. I have experimented with an actively crossed 4 way system using the 604's for the upper bass and mid with a pair of 18 subwoofers and some JBL slot radiators on top (xover points at 40, 1200, and 11k) and for home theater applications these guys will carry the mail. The other point that I would bring up, especially if bass extension is your concern is that many of the 604's I've listened too and seen have what I regard insufficient cabinet size to really let the 15" cones stretch out and fly. Mine are custom built 8.3 cu. ft. and left to their own devices can get down into the mid to low 30's very creditably. Putting these speaks in some of the 3.5 cu.ft. boxes I've seen is akin to castration, sonically speaking. That's what I think. Thanks

[CONVERGENCE]

Verry Nice Speakers indeed. This similar configuration was developed by Altec Lansing for the Japanese Recording Studio's in early 80's. The cabinets were 9.8 cubic feet. Dimensions ( H 44.68" W 24.8" D 18.5" ) . The model was a 4 way with an Altec Super Tweeter " discontinued ". The Xo were 350,1500,8000 hz. Passive XO.

Main components 604 8H , 416 and super tweeter.