Altec 601 duplex - Repair or Replace Cabinets

[Snade]

These speakers sound fantastic.

But the cabinets need some repair. Should I repair or replace.

I'm looking for ideas / suggestions.

I picked up some 601-8D duplex speakers (1970's) with cabinets that are a kit type (made by Barzilay or Acousticraft as identified by Tom B.).

Note - I really like the look of the wood and grill cloth of these speakers. The cabinets are wood veneer glued to particle board.

These are the issues with the cabinets (photos below):

1. The rear wood panel has a few screws that were not installed correctly, I think the original owner screwed them in without drilling the holes correctly, and cracked the particle board. When playing loud bass, I can hear vibration noise from the back of the speaker.

2. There is fiberglass insulation (about 1") on three sides inside but is missing on two sides.​

Should I drill new holes to better secure the rear panel and install new insulation ?? What do you recommend ?

Or should I consider getting new cabinets ?

These speakers are so good, they deserve good cabinets. What do you think ?

Several photos below.

Looks great from the front and sides.

Inside you see insulation missing on two sides and cracked particle board where screws installed badly:

Back panel made of fairly thin particle board.

The port length can be cut to size.

The speakers are in great shape - the 601 duplex

Altec Specs on the 601 Duplex

 

[GordonW]

This is not a problem.

Originally, MANY speakers from the 1960s were made with fiberglass insulation ONLY on one side in each direction... one side, either the top OR the bottom, and the back. This was standard practice. My Utah/Hatu cabinets were made that way, and they sounded GOOD that way, so I left them alone!

As for the cracked wood- my suggestion would be to cut out "stringers" out of 3/4" plywood (like, say 1 1/2" wide), and cleat the side walls on the inside of the cabinet, right next to the broken areas (so that the new cleat will be butted right up against the rear panel, when it's installed). You can then, if you wish, fill in the broken-out areas with 5-minute epoxy. Then, just relocate (or in the case of the epoxy, re-drill the original) screw holes, and let it rip!

I'd definitely NOT let that small problem stand in the way of using those cabinets!!

Regards,
Gordon.

 

[Zilch]

What Gordon said.

When dry, clean off the excess glue and drill new pilot holes for the screws.

Add self-adhesive closed-cell foam gasket tape on the rabbet to seal the rear panel. It will compress to virtually nothing....

 

[GordonW]

Zilch's idea is easier. Do what he said.

Regards,
Gordon.

 

[ejfud]

Yep what they said. I hate to see good cabinets get trashed. Try to glue and clamp the wood that has been displaced and redrill.

Please keep the cabs, I really like the sleeper look of them.

 

[jblmar]

Ah, 'The Yes Album.

The cabinets are worth repairing.

Ron

 

[Snade]

Great feedback. Many thanks.

Repair it is per your suggestions. These cabs do look good.

Cheers, Snade

 

[JSF13]

I wouldn't change the length of the port tubes. Might affect the FR of the system.

 

[Snade]

Ok Guys, thanks a lot for your help. In particular Gordon and Zilch.

Here is the final product:

The stands are Bombay Company padded benches I picked up at a garage sale for $15. I took off the padded seat. The legs / frame fit the speaker cabs perfectly.

Here are the stands before and after taking off the padded seat.

Here is the inside with the back off after I repaired the cracked wood near the pilot holes and I put closed cell weatherstrip seal around the rim. The back panel fits nice and snug and no vibration when I play them loud.

This a photo of the Altec 601 8D speaker (12") taken from an Altec document:

Here is a shot of both speakers in my family room.

They sound great.

Cheers, Snade

 

[Urizen]

Looks great, Snade. Nice looking stands, too!:thmbsp:

 

[Zilch]

Oooo, GORGEOUS, I'd say.... :thmbsp: