416-8A DCR values

[gdmoore28]

Great thread, Darcy, Earl, and Jim. Good research and lots of useable information.

GeeDeeEmm

[Gary L]

Well, I finally got around to taking the drivers out, and checked the cones for numbers- The one that tests 6.9R is stamped 21184-8, which I believe is an original Altec cone. The one that measures 5.5R, also has an altec number, but it indicates it is a 421-8a cone, which makes the dcr reading correct for that voice coil. Looking through the vented dust cap, I can see the voice coil former is I believe aluminum, not paper, like the correct 416. The shop that did these left the aluminum dustcap off of the 421 cone, and put the correct vented 416 dustcap on instead. Now, I need help deciding- leave well enough alone, because at least they're original cones, although one is not correct, at least in the voice coil? or, have GPA recone the one with the 421 cone, and keep the one original 416, or get GPA to do both re-cones? any thoughts??
Thanks,
Darcy

We have seen this a number of times over many years. Speaker repair places claim "Original Altec Parts" which may or may not be truthful. Some repair places go with the attitude if the cone, VC and spider fit then just use it. Kind of like "What difference could it make if the baskets of two very different woofers are the same then the cones are interchangeable throughout.

I would not have an Altec speaker repaired by any place but GPA. That being said this is not an inexpensive proposition. I just sent 4, 414-16B woofers out to GPA for rebuilds, 2 woofers in each 16" X 16" X 16" box weighing 32 pounds each. Staples charged me $50 for each box from NY to OKC. Add an additional $200 in shipping both ways to the price of the rebuild and we end up with some expensive repairs but at least you are getting them done right with GPA parts and Bill's attention to details and your magnets get zapped while there.

GaryL