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Thread: Mini altec iconic?

  1. #1
    Senior Member doucanoe's Avatar
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    Mini altec iconic?

    Hi guys, I picked these up locally over the weekend (cabs only). They look just like my Iconics except smaller. Previous owner said they originally housed a 15" bi-flex that he sold leaving with the cabs only.

    I was originally thinking about replacing the front panel for a 2 or 3-way using a 12" woofer instead of the 15". After giving it some though, Im entertaining turning one or both into subwoofers to use with my Iconics.

    A few questions if I may.

    1) Do you think It would make sense to find and put Altec or EV 15" woofers back in these instead of changing the panel to accomidate a 12". Or would the cost outweigh the benefit when used as a subwoofer only?
    2) The cabinet appears to have 5-ports as you can see by the pic. Was the 15" that was in here originally a full range?
    3) Would it make sense to block all or some of these for use as a sub?

    As Im typing this Im thinking this might belong in the Technical area. If a mod. needs to move it please do so.

    Any info on these or comments regarding my insane ramblings would be appreciated.
    thanks
    RC
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  2. #2
    RIP 2011 Zilch's Avatar
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    Compute the internal cabinet volume in cuft. and post it here.

    They look too short for anything other than sub duty.

    Might be able to fit a tweeter into the top center "port," tho.

    Do you care if JBL goes in 'em rather than Altec?

    Ports will have to be tuned with ducts.

    What are the port diameters?

    Do you have a pair of Sub1500's to put in 'em?

    Post the outside dimensions as well....

  3. #3
    Senior Member doucanoe's Avatar
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    Hey thanks a heep Zilch, I will measure them up tonight after I get home and post.

    As far as the woofer's themselves are concerned, Im open to pretty much anything as long as I can accomplish the goal. JBL's would be great if I could find a pair.

    RC

  4. #4
    RIP 2011 Zilch's Avatar
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    Good deal. I'm sure this forum can come up with a plan for you.

    You'll need to give us an idea of your budget for the project, tho....

    Please enable location display in your profile so we know where you are.

    Click "User CP," above, to do it....

  5. #5
    Senior Member spkrman57's Avatar
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    Attention to mounting of JBL drivers!

    The cabinets designed for Altec drivers were usually mounted behind the front baffle board. Altec drivers have a mounting flange that is rather WIDE which means if you mount a JBL driver the same way you will encounter the surrounds slapping the front baffle board.

    Altec drivers measured at 16" have around 13 7/8" actual cone/surround area, JBL drivers have a very NARROW mounting flange(meaning more actual cone area for the same "published" size driver vs the Altecs). I found this out by accident while using a JBL 2226 in a Altec A8 enclosure originally made for a Altec 416 driver.

    I now measure instead of guessing or assuming!

    Ron

  6. #6
    Senior Member doucanoe's Avatar
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    Well Ron, I guess that narrows down the options if I dont want to modify the baffle. Helpful bit of info. thanks much

    RC

  7. #7
    RIP 2011 Zilch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by doucanoe
    I guess that narrows down the options if I dont want to modify the baffle.
    Not necessarily. Get us the woofer cutout diameter as Ron suggests, as well, and the mounting screw location diameter....

  8. #8
    Senior Member doucanoe's Avatar
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    Well, I believe that I have all the particulars. Please excuse the caveman napkin sketch.

    I couldnt really get accurate measurements for the (4) round port locations but as you can see in the photo they are more or less in the corners. Im not sure how critical their location is.

    The dim's are for box size inside and out. Not taking into account the stops for the baffle and back panel. Also does the insulation material used reduce the internal volume in the calculation?

    RC
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  9. #9
    RIP 2011 Zilch's Avatar
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    Recommended baffle cutout diameter for 2235H rear mounted, for example, is 13-1/2" and the bolt circle is 14-9/16". 2226H wants 14-9/64", same bolt circle. So, you're probably good to go with some JBL 15" drivers there as far as mechanical fitting is concerned.

    The insulation actually adds to the apparent volume of the box, but the port tubes will subtract from it, not as much, probably. Need to find some cardboard or plastic tubing with 2-1/8" OD to use for ports that'll just slip into the 4 corner locations. Glue to seal when everything's final.

    The rectangular "port" was for a tweeter, possibly. The forum will have some suggestions if you want to go two-way. For "vintage" JBL, maybe an 077 will fit there.

    For sub duty, first shot, here's 2235H in two configurations:

    Blue = 24 Hz with Q=2 HP filter at 25 Hz. Four 2" bent ports at 15"
    Red = 29 Hz tuning, no filter. Four 2" ports at 10.5"

    LE14's will play nicely as subs in those boxes, as well, probably, using diameter adapter baffles.

    Others here are way better than me at box design, but this'll illustrate some possibilities for your cabinets:
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  10. #10
    Senior Member doucanoe's Avatar
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    Zilch, I guess what you are saying is that it will work.

    Now it should only take me 6-7 weeks to digest and recover from the information you provided.

    Im sure it will all make sense to me in due time. Now Zilch my friend, what is my next step?

    Thanks for the good news.
    Ron

  11. #11
    RIP 2011 Zilch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by doucanoe
    Now Zilch my friend, what is my next step?
    I think you'll want to wait a bit before deciding anything. There are many forum members who are more familiar with Altec components than myself who may have other suggestions.

    For example, there's probably a vintage Altec tweeter or substitue that will fit perfectly in the rectangular opening there to make a "correct" two-way. Some research of the Altec archives here and elsewhere may reveal what model that actually is and what components came with it. You may want to restore them rather than make them into something else. Perhaps the person you bought them from has more information, even an old brochure, maybe.

    I've tried to address your main question, which was whether they could work as decent speakers, and the answer is "Yes." I've done that from the perspective of JBL components, with which I'm more familiar. Others here may have better ideas than this, and I hope they'll contribute them here for you.

    In the meantime, you need to be thinking about what you want or need them to be. They can be decent subwoofers, or two-, perhaps three-ways, a second system. Even though they are short, a tweeter at the very top there is likely workable in the right listening setup. A two-way would require an extended range bass/mid driver, but there are several vintage 15" JBL's that would work. There's some nice Altec's, probably, too.

    Oh, and be on the lookout for some 2-1/8" diameter tubing....

  12. #12
    Senior Member doucanoe's Avatar
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    Ok then, I have so many speakers that I would really like to persue the subwoofer angle. You have been very helpful and have gotten me off to a great start.
    I will keep ya posted as to where this ends up.

    Thanks again
    Ron

  13. #13
    RIP 2011 Zilch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by doucanoe
    I have so many speakers that I would really like to persue the subwoofer angle.
    Fine. Block the rectangular hole from inside, put 10.5" long 2" ID ducts in the four corner holes and pop a pair of 2235H's in them.

    If they were here, I'd be listening to them right now....

  14. #14
    Senior Member doucanoe's Avatar
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    [QUOTE] [/QUOTE] Fine. Block the rectangular hole from inside, put 10.5" long 2" ID ducts in the four corner holes and pop a pair of 2235H's in them.

    If they were here, I'd be listening to them right now....


    Now im off to find some of those JBLs or Altecs, I found a couple pair of the woofers on the bay and BOY WHOOY those babys are not cheap are they!

    Should a guy be paying upwards of $250.00 american for those. Im not at all opposed to the notion but is that pretty typical for the 2235H woofer pairs?

    RC

  15. #15
    Regis
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    You might try Craigslist as well http://www.craigslist.org/about/cities.html
    Certainly better deals if you have the patience and persistence. The price is about right for Ebay and they are what they are because of what they are. High quality, American made and beautiful sounding bass.

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