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Thread: Help with Altec Valencia

  1. #1
    stan461
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    Help with Altec Valencia

    I have the opportunity to purchase a pair of Valencias from a person that I have purchased audio equipment from many times before.

    He said they go from $1000 to $1200 but he always starts off high just to let me know I'm getting a bargain. I'm thinking he'll take $900.

    I know a little about them. They are about the size, weight and efficiency of a Cornwall. They are a bass reflex design with A7 components. I know they made at least an 846A & 846B.

    I'm guessing that I should be taking a look inside the cabinets to make sure I'm getting what I paid for. But what is supposed to be there? What are the components I should be looking for? What kind of cabinet.

    Any help would be appreciated.

  2. #2
    Junior Member
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    These are very nice speakers, most think that they are ok as is but some
    feel they need to be "fixed".I don't.
    Do a search here for Valencias to see what I mean.
    Woofers are usually 416Z=no mag. cover
    Horns 811B
    HF driver 806a
    http://www.lansingheritage.org/image...ome/page14.jpg

    http://www.lansingheritage.org/image...ome/page15.jpg

  3. #3
    RIP 2011 Zilch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dbALE View Post
    These are very nice speakers, most think that they are ok as is but some feel they need to be "fixed". I don't.

    Do a search here for Valencias to see what I mean.
    60's hifi with shouty midrange barely making it to 10 kHz and playing to the knees. Some suggest the bass is weak, as well, but I've only confirmed that in sims.

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

    Our founder put it more tactfully here somewhere, but that's the bottom line of my "findings," as documented in these forums....

  4. #4
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    To summarize the options:

    The 806 driver will not play out to 20kHz. To get more high frequency out of them, you can:

    Use an Altec Model 19 crossover something like what's seen here - http://www.audioheritage.org/vbullet...&postcount=142 - that has HF compensation built into it

    Use an active crossover (e.g. the Behringer 3400 http://www.behringer.com/CX3400/index.cfm?lang=ENG), which also has high frequency compensation available - then use two amplifiers, one amp for low frequency, one for high

    You can switch drivers, removing the 806 entirely and:

    Use an Altec 902 driver which has better HF extension but also requires finagling to get a relatively flat response (not as well documented)

    Use a BMS driver to replace the Altec HF driver, use the Behringer crossover OR use the nifty passive circuit Zilch figured up to make the BMS play nicely with the existing components and have good extension

    Be sure to listen to them first. Even flawed as they are from the factory, you may find them enjoyable. A Honda Odyssey outperforms an early Mustang in nearly all respects, but that doesn't mean you'd enjoy it more...

  5. #5
    Gary L
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    Yep. You might love them just the way they are!

    Some think they sound great and some hate them the way they are while others here have made fantastic differences to get them where they want them.

    One thing is for sure, there is no shortage of info and you can have many hours of enjoyment either listening to them or making them listenable.

    I have had a blast right here reading and being involved in many of these ventures and I am absolutely certain a few members have some great sounding Vals.

    Keep us informed about what you do and how it works out for you.

    Gary

  6. #6
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    I had a VOTT system that I enjoyed for +30 years. I always thought they sounded superior to any JBL system I have heard since their sound is very natural IMO.

    If possible, I would do some critical listening before any purchase.

  7. #7
    RIP 2011 Zilch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by robertbartsch View Post
    I had a VOTT system that I enjoyed for +30 years. I always thought they sounded superior to any JBL system I have heard since their sound is very natural IMO.

    If possible, I would do some critical listening before any purchase.
    While I certainly can't disagree with your advice to critically listen, your basis for recommending that goes more to defining your personal preferences than a characterization of the speakers.

    http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/s...0415#post10415

    http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/s...0471#post10471

    Member Jackgiff has three pair of Valencias and enjoyed them for 40 years before experiencing an "awakening" working on them here in this forum, which is available for anyone willing to make the effort to read.

    When asked if he had any regrets about it, he said he most regretted believing all the hype and blather about how good they were for so long.

    Speakerdave summed it up here:

    http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/s...98&#post187098

  8. #8
    Junior Member Giorgio's Avatar
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    Valencia/components

    Sorry,but,the,Altec,specs,sais:
    4168B/bass
    8068B/Driver
    811B/Horn
    N.801-8A/Cross.

  9. #9
    Gary L
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    Quote Originally Posted by Giorgio View Post
    Sorry,but,the,Altec,specs,sais:
    4168B/bass
    8068B/Driver
    811B/Horn
    N.801-8A/Cross.
    Where did you find those specs Giorgio?

    I've seen many Valencias and all had either 416-8A 15" or 416-8Z 15" woofers and all were mounted on the rear side of the baffel.

    The 416-8B is a 16" frame and designed to be mounted from the front.

    I can't say if any Valencias ever came with the 416-8Bs, only that I never saw a pair.

    Gary

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