Altec 601s - differences between series?

[Sam Cogley]

The original 601 was a 15" field coil speaker. Starting with the 601A, it became a permanent magnet 12" with a 3000 series tweeter in the throat. Does anyone have any good technical info deliniating the differences between the different 12" versions of the 601? So far I've heard of the A, C, 8D and Z series.

[Progneta]

A good question. In short, I have heard them before and they sound great either way. I think that a lot have same specs (similar)

I think the C was related to the 605 and the D was one of its own. I think c and d have similar response, coil size, magnet structure, etc.... I would enjoy sitting all of them down and listening and comparing them.

Either way, the 601 series is a pretty darn good little duplex

[Sam Cogley]

I have one 601A, and I'm trying to decide if matching it with a different series 601 will be good for stereo use. The 601A sounds fantastic.

On top of that, I'm trying to decide whether to use the multi-tap N-3000A crossover that came with the 601A, or an L-pad equipped N-3000B with the 601A.

[hmolwitz]

I think any of those crossovers could use a freshening up of the capacitors at this point in time unless you manage to get the last run of them, they ran out to the H series I think which ended things for the 601.
From my chats with the folks@ Great Plains and Micro Mike the HF unit was fairly identical in sound and performance through the ages. The LF was always a 414, which had some change through the years.
The older crossovers are embedded in tar to facilitate your efforts.
If you were a bit closer I would let you listen to some of mine, but to my ear they all sound fairly similar and good.
Best
Harry

[tom1356]

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