Altec 604-8g

[sempai]

Took delivery of a pair of 604-8G's late this morning.
At one point this afternoon I was actually moved to tears listening to them.

They're in undersized home made but well constructed variation of the 620a cabinets and I am listening to them off axis with only passing thought as to placement.
And they still sound better than anything I ever thought would ever have the good luck to own.
Far, far better.

Pictures to come when I get bored listening.
It may be a while.

Art

 

[phil-g]

no one replied to this post??? i will at some point own a pair. i have never heard an altec product designed befor 1970 i didn't love.

 

[dshoaf]

What crossovers are you running?

Cheers,

David

 

[bowtie427ss]

What crossovers are you running?

Cheers,

David

My very first thought as well.

 

[rogerfederer]

i know you said you will add them, but...

 

[sempai]

Yes I know... no pictures.
I'll take some when I get home this evening.
The crossovers are stock as far as I can tell
I don't know if there where variations in the crossover.
I'm still educating myself about these.
Been combing the Altec Users Board for more information.
The cabinets are not scaled down versions of the 620a.
They are the 6 cu ft utility cabinets.

I had been fighting with a pair of Model 14's for several years and was ready to boot them to the curb several times.
Ended up trading the 14's a small amount of cash and some speaker cables for the 604's.

Can't believe how really good these drivers are.

Art

 

[bluestime]

I know what you mean. I bought a single 604D in a 9 cu. ft. home built cab about a year ago and my hi-fi life changed forever. At that time I thought nothing could sound better except maybe two of them. I found another NOS 604D with the same crossover (N-1600B, same as the first one)and build a new cab like the other. I cant get enough of them and this morning when I put my first LP on the tt, I got the same thrill as the first time I heard them. Simply outstanding.

 

[elitopus]

Sempai-
What is your opinion on the 604 vs the model 14? I love Altec horns and woofers but do not have much experience with the duplex models. I heard they image pretty well

 

[sempai]

pictures are from the sellers ad.

Art

 

[Leben]

Congrats, enjoy!

 

[sempai]

Sempai-
What is your opinion on the 604 vs the model 14? I love Altec horns and woofers but do not have much experience with the duplex models. I heard they image pretty well

I can only echo Bluestime's sentiment.
When I heard the 604's for the first time I knew my speaker odyssey had come to an end.

The 14's are nice but I struggled to find the right amplification for them.
My very patient very forgiving wife was aghast and shocked at the size of the cabinets when we brought them in.
However, even though she has no ear for music or sound, after hearing them she smiled at me and said "They're much softer aren't they".
The 604's sound bigger, sound softer, more natural, etc...

I spoke with the seller, who ended up with the Model 14's, and he was also as pleased as punch.
Overjoyed actually.

It's all a matter of preference I guess.

Art

 

[CopperWizard]

Awesome. I can't wait to hear some Altecs.

 

[elitopus]

Art,
Thanks for sharing your impressions. I would like to hear some 604's eventually. I have a friend who has a mint pair but he wont take them out of the closet and put them in cabs.

Im sure they have the great Altec midrange that sounds so good. Yours look to be in excellent condition. Nice buy!

 

[bowtie427ss]

I don't know if there where variations in the crossover.

The factory crossovers suck, there's no nice way to say it.

If you want to hear what your 604-8G's really sound like, bi-amp them or go with a proven network like Jeff Markwarts phase corrected example, or one of Jean Hiraga's 604 designs. You won't be sorry.

 

[dshoaf]

^^^ Agreed! ^^^

Cheers,

David

 

[sempai]

The factory crossovers suck, there's no nice way to say it.

If you want to hear what your 604-8G's really sound like, bi-amp them or go with a proven network like Jeff Markwarts phase corrected example, or one of Jean Hiraga's 604 designs. You won't be sorry.

I'm aware that there are improved crossovers available.
As good as the Hiraga might be, it's probably a little pricy for me.
I've also read that active crossovers a good route to take.

Bi-amping sounds like it might be a good idea.
I'll have to do some research.
I might have some amps that are suitable.

I've been driving the speakers with a Mactone MA-300B (push-pull 30 wpc) and am really pleased.
It's a beautiful sounding amp.
There is also a nice Fi X Super 300B SET amp here that I'll be pulling out to try soon.
Everyone seems to like the 604's with SET amps so I'm looking forward to this.

As good as the 604's sound in their current state with original crossovers and smaller than optimal cabinets it's good to know that there are proven methods of improvement.

I think my first upgrade path will be 9 cu ft cabinets.
But that is down the road a bit as I have a couple of turntable projects to complete first.

In the meantime I'll continue to enjoy the 604's as they are.

Art

 

[rromeo]

I have a pair of 604-8g in 612c cabs. Love them! I am thinking about biamping using Minidsp as active crossovers. Anyone done this before?

 

[dshoaf]

I have a pair of 604-8g in 612c cabs. Love them! I am thinking about biamping using Minidsp as active crossovers. Anyone done this before?

Just make sure that the MiniDSP device has equalization curves to compensate for the Constant Directivity (aka: Mantaray) and the time alignment of the horns. The amp to drive the horn can be _tiny_, too.

I've dinked with it (a technical term!) to the point of distraction. Too many variables to mess with, too many permutations of levels, crossover points and with few tools to measure effectively what I was doing. If you like to twiddle knobs, its great, though!

I went back to a tried-and-true crossover with the Markwart designs. Job done.

Cheers,

David

 

[rromeo]

Can you describe the sonic improvements with the Markwart crossovers vs. stock (which I have now). Also can you purchase Markwart crossovers that have been already built?

Btw- I lived in Santa Cruz and then Felton from 1986-1987. My favorite area in the USA!

 

[62caddy]

Just came across these being offered on our favorite auction site with the following description:

"This auction is for a pair of classic Altec Lansing 604-8G Duplex speakers in bass reflex enclosures. I am the original owner of the speakers, purchased new in 1978. They come with the rare and desirable Mastering Lab Crossovers, designed by Doug Sax of the famed "Mastering Lab" studios. These crossovers are an upgrade from the original stock Altec crossovers and smooth out the response of the speakers. These speakers have the UREI horns that originally shipped with the UREI time align crossovers, and also included are the original multi-cell horns. Good condition overall, the crossover cases have a few scruffs, and are missing a few internal anchors for the panel screws."