What are they and are they worth fixing?

[MarkDA]

I discovered these speakers built into the wall in our house, with the cabinets extending into an attic space. The cabinets are a nice mahogany or walnut or similar finish. There are no identifying marks on the front of the speaker, and in the attic where the cabinet is it's very dark and dusty. Our house dates back to 1961 so I imagine the speakers are of similar vintage. The one in the photo is missing one bass driver, and the other bass driver's surround has decayed. I'm sure the other speaker is in similar shape.

Any thoughts on what these speakers are and whether it's worth hunting down replacement drivers? A friend thought they were Altecs but not sure. Thanks!

[macaroonie]

looks like there used to be a horn where that panel is. There is an altec laid out that way but it did not have foam bass surrounds. I think what you may have is an old pair of altec cabinets with A N Other drivers loaded in.
Pull the bass units that you have and look at the back / magnet. There is sure to be a label of some sort.

[grumpy]

Looks like they -were- Altec Carmels:
414z x2, woofer
806 or 804A, compression driver
811b, horn
N800F, crossover

would have had a grille cloth over the front and either short legs or a small plinth
to set on (to get it off the floor a bit).

without the drivers or crossovers, the cabinets might be worth saving from the fireplace,
but just barely, and only if they're not messed up.

You could easily spend more than they're worth (as a unit) to replace the drivers and crossover.

[MarkDA]

There are grilles that cover them. It is clear now that the midrange and treble drivers were a substitute. If I pitch them and start over, I'll have two large holes into my attic that nothing else will perfectly fit, so I may go the route of making these work if only for grins.

Thanks!

[grumpy]

You can certainly substitute parts and not restore, for much less, if you want to fool
with it. Personally, I'd stick with the 811b horn and work from there... since the hole is
already there.

Have fun!

[duaneage]

The cone mid looks to be a Infinity Midrange from a Qb speaker. I handled a pair of them last year.