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Altec 890C Bolero

n8thesk8

Well-Known Member
What would be a fair price for a pair of Altec 890c Bolero's?
 

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A couple of recent completed online auctions have them going for $155 and $360. The $155 price seems like an anomaly to me, as I've seen them on CL for $250 and up. I just auditioned a pair at a local stereo shop that were selling for $250 and, man, after hearing them I think they're worth every penny.
 
A couple of recent completed online auctions have them going for $155 and $360. The $155 price seems like an anomaly to me, as I've seen them on CL for $250 and up. I just auditioned a pair at a local stereo shop that were selling for $250 and, man, after hearing them I think they're worth every penny.

Wow, didnt realize they were worth that much. There were a couple pair on our local CL in the last few months and asking price was 125.00 and 100.00. 1 pair had stands as well. Both were in excellent condition.
 
It doesn't seem that many people talk about the 890C, and talk value plays a lot into the pricing of vintage gear. If the price of the Bolero were based on performance, I would think they would go for what the AR3s and L100s go for, but much of it is based on trends. The more people talk about something (which could be based on things in addition to performance, like availability), the more people know about it and want it, and therefore demand goes up so price goes up.

All I'm saying is...performance wise, I think they're worth a chunk of change. But don't expect to resell them for that price, because the cost of vintage audio is often not related to performance. I think $100-$300 is a good range based on condition. Those look pretty nice and those look like the original drivers (the woofer in these is really hefty).

Hope this helps! They're nice speakers.
 
Thanks for all the info. I really like the way they sound but I need the money more than I need them. N8
 
Bolero's definitely have their fans. I have seen nice 890C's go for over $400, but that was about a year ago. Individual drivers and parts can add up to significantly more (I do not, however, recommend parting these fine speakers out). Bolero's match up well with lower powered tube equipment.
 
With the Bolero, the 406-8 driver is the star of the show. Very smooth and natural sound.

I really regretted selling mine, but I got a very good price for them- $400 for the pair. But, they were restored to cherry condition, and I sold them with both the original Heppner horns and a set of Foster horns.
 
With the Bolero, the 406-8 driver is the star of the show. Very smooth and natural sound.

I really regretted selling mine, but I got a very good price for them- $400 for the pair. But, they were restored to cherry condition, and I sold them with both the original Heppner horns and a set of Foster horns.

Did the Foster horns make a dramatic improvement? I don't really have a problem with the sound but wouldn't mind learning if it could get better.
 
Hooked a pair up to an Eico integrated tube amp last night, and they transformed into some of the nicest sounding speakers. If you've got a pair, put them on an amp with El84s.....wonderful wonderful sound, and efficient enough to get pretty loud.
 
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