Altec Bolero 890C OR 9849A/D Speakers???

[slev]

Looking for a nice set of Altecs for my small room (9X14). I've considered several sets of 9849 speakers from CL through the years but never went there. I currently see a regional pair of Bolero 890C in nice shape. If you have heard either (or preferably both). What is your take?

I've had A7 and a split 210 setup in the room, but I need something more agreeable.

I'll have a Lance Cochrane 6BQ5 or 6L6 PP amp driving these.

Thanks for any insight!

 

[GordonW]

The 9849 has the legendary 32B horn in it. I'd think it should be much closer to the classic "Altec sound" than the Bolero...

Regards,
Gordon.

 

[slev]

Thanks Gordon - I tend to agree with your thought. Both speakers are a bit odd to work with for placement. 9849 might be a little easier - maybe I should find a pair and hang them from the ceiling corners. The soundstage would be very high (9' ceiling)!

 

[Tom Brennan]

I had many Altecs--A5s, A7s, A7-500s, Model 19s, Heath AS-21s, 605As and 890Cs and I think the 890C does a first rate job of giving the basic Altec "voice", with its big presence and Technicolor midrange, in a small package, thanks to the 406-8C woofer which was carefully designed to mimic the voice of the large Altec systems; thus it's 3" voice coil, motor taken from the 414 and it's unusual dual profile cone.

The speaker won't match the dynamics of the big systems but the dynamics are very good for the speaker's size and the tonal balance is robust with decently deep bass. The speaker's flaw is a lack of extension in the highs; that last bit of sparkle and shimmer may be missing.

Anyway, the speaker is most certainly a true blue Altec.

 

[slev]

Thanks Tom - I was hoping you were still offering up comments on Altec options. Thought of you as I was typing the post. Have you heard the 9849 enough to compare/contrast with the BoleroC?

 

[Tom Brennan]

Thanks Tom - I was hoping you were still offering up comments on Altec options. Thought of you as I was typing the post. Have you heard the 9849 enough to compare/contrast with the BoleroC?

I never heard that speaker so though I feel confident touting the 890C I can't compare the two speakers. Though I see the 9849 uses the 414 woofer, that gives pause as I think the 414 has the best midrange of any woofer except for possibly the mighty Altec 515.

 

[Dr. Beaker]

I have a pair of 890Cs and they are lovely speakers, as Tom says. I do not have 9849s but something very similar. I have the 414 woofer in an Onken cabinet, 802 drivers on 32C horns. Much the same as the 9849. In my opinion, the 414/802/32c setup plays in a much higher league than the Bolero. My room is smaller than yours. Get both if you can, but if you have to choose take the 9849s and don't look back.

 

[bowtie427ss]

The 9849 has the legendary 32B horn in it. I'd think it should be much closer to the classic "Altec sound" than the Bolero...

Regards,
Gordon.

If i could keep only one pair of speakers...

9849-8D's have been my daily drivers here at my computer desk for a decade, they will be with me til the end of my hearing or breathing, whichever comes first.

As of late i have Fifteens set up in the living room(small) and find myself pounding them pretty good to some of my favorite nostalgic 80's electronic/dance music. Having grown up on 604's and having owned many other large Altecs, i find the model Fifteen to be a highly underestimated, and underappreciated Altec model given the production/sales numbers. Part of it is certainly the 32 horn and that magical bend, but the LF section seems well tailored to the popular music of their time period(not surprising) and will take a good dose of clean SS power.

 

[setup1]

Looking for a nice set of Altecs for my small room (9X14). I've considered several sets of 9849 speakers from CL through the years but never went there. I currently see a regional pair of Bolero 890C in nice shape. If you have heard either (or preferably both). What is your take?

I've had A7 and a split 210 setup in the room, but I need something more agreeable.

I'll have a Lance Cochrane 6BQ5 or 6L6 PP amp driving these.

Thanks for any insight!

I have no experience with any of the Bolero systems, but I've collected a pair of 406Zs + 406-8Y/pr. (the 10" Altec driver found inside Bolero models) through the years.

In this short video, the Heath AS10 cabinet is loaded with a 406Z. The 406Z has better midrange presence vs. the 406-8Y which has slightly more low end extension and punch. Both are nice very nice sounding drivers as many have attested above. I'm running the 406Z full range while the 32A/802 fills in starting ~ 5 kHz.

My main system uses slightly older drivers (16 ohm) than those found in the Altec 9849 - Altec 414A + 802D + 32C horn in a ~ custom made bass reflex cabinet.

This speaker system sounds just as lucid in the mids (vs. 406Z/406-8Y) but with more bass extension, greater dynamics + efficiency = bigger and better sound overall!

You can't go wrong with the Bolero or the 9849, get them both!

 

[BIff1959]

I own the Altec Bolero 890Cs with 406-8Y woofers, a pair of "like new" 601Cs (414s with 3000 horns) and a pair of MR912-12 Mantaray horns. As you might imagine.... I'm endlessly thinking about the perfect speaker builds using these Altec drivers.

Love the Boleros (but considering upgrading with the Mantaray horns).... Have yet to hear the 601Cs.

 

[twiiii]

9849 is the much superior speaker and you can get the latest diaphragms from Great Plains Audio if needed. The little 32B horn is a gem. And if the port is tuned correctly with the speaker placed on a wall off the floor or away from the ceiling the speaker should be absolutely flat to 40 HZ with no roll off. Put them nearer a corner or to the floor and the bass will extendd lower with the correct tuning of the port but there will be a mid bass peak that you may not like. I would also change the Crossover to a N1201 so you can adjust the middle range of the horn separately from the highest octaves or so.

 

[slev]

All - thank you for your feedback. This continues to be a work in progress. I have some 414s and 32a horns with a variety of potential 1" drivers. I thought I had snagged a trio of 614D cabinets, but the CL seller has gone MIA. I'm also going to try a coaxial concept using a pair of original EV T35 drivers, crossed @ 3,500. I just need some cabinets. Might have to get a hand in building a pair if none appear - it's been mighty quiet in the Chicago/Minneapolis region. I'll be using some 12" angled stands, so I hope the bass region works with this setup.

 

[loudnoises]

I own the Altec Bolero 890Cs with 406-8Y woofers, a pair of "like new" 601Cs (414s with 3000 horns) and a pair of MR912-12 Mantaray horns. As you might imagine.... I'm endlessly thinking about the perfect speaker builds using these Altec drivers.

Love the Boleros (but considering upgrading with the Mantaray horns).... Have yet to hear the 601Cs.

Manta horns in an 890c?

I gotta check that out....

 

[rmeade]

I had a pair of the 890c Bolero speakers. I agree with all of the nice things said about them. I found that they sounded markedly better oriented horizontally, as would be the case if installed in a bookcase. In my setting I just could not accommodate this orientation. So I sold them.

 

[BIff1959]

Manta horns in an 890c?

I gotta check that out....

Hi to all - I would really appreciate any thoughts you might have on something I've been thinking about: If I were to add an additional, similar passive radiator to each 890C cabinet, what would you expect to be the results in sound, frequency response?

 

[BIff1959]

I have no experience with any of the Bolero systems, but I've collected a pair of 406Zs + 406-8Y/pr. (the 10" Altec driver found inside Bolero models) through the years.

In this short video, the Heath AS10 cabinet is loaded with a 406Z. The 406Z has better midrange presence vs. the 406-8Y which has slightly more low end extension and punch. Both are nice very nice sounding drivers as many have attested above. I'm running the 406Z full range while the 32A/802 fills in starting ~ 5 kHz.

My main system uses slightly older drivers (16 ohm) than those found in the Altec 9849 - Altec 414A + 802D + 32C horn in a ~ custom made bass reflex cabinet.

This speaker system sounds just as lucid in the mids (vs. 406Z/406-8Y) but with more bass extension, greater dynamics + efficiency = bigger and better sound overall!

You can't go wrong with the Bolero or the 9849, get them both!

Man, that is a beautiful cabinet!

 

[elitopus]

Hi to all - I would really appreciate any thoughts you might have on something I've been thinking about: If I were to add an additional, similar passive radiator to each 890C cabinet, what would you expect to be the results in sound, frequency response?

Where are you going to put them? Cut a hole in the side of the cab or what?

If you want more bass I would just get a separate powered subwoofer. Instead of butchering the Altec cabinets.

 

[BIff1959]

Where are you going to put them? Cut a hole in the side of the cab or what?

If you want more bass I would just get a separate powered subwoofer. Instead of butchering the Altec cabinets.

Agreed. Just wondering if lower bass would be expected... or, a cleaning up of the bass/midrange...?