Altec Bolero vs Model 15

[MadcapLaughs]

Hey there,

I am currently using a set of 890c bolero horn speakers in my main system and have the opportunity to get ahold of Altec Model 15s. The 15s have just been reformed by the the tech shop selling then. I really like my Altec boleros and wouldn't trade them for anything except larger altecs at this point. Is the model 15 going to be an upgrade in sound and dynamics from the bolero?

I have heard altec Valencias before in a smaller room with a solid state amp and they were incredibly harsh sounding. Would the 15s have a smooth presentation and work well with a mc2100 amp? Again I would keep the boleros if the 15s are not a worthy upgrade.

 

[djnagle]

It is a HUGE upgrade. The Bolero is a good speaker but does not have the dynamic range, impact, detail, on and on that the 15s do. Have you compared them? The Bolero is small enough to take to the guys shop and do an A/B comparison. You don't need both L and R. For me, this is just no question, but you need to listen to them and decide. I think the mc2100 would be a perfect amp.

 

[bowtie427ss]

I think the Bolero is in many ways the finest small loudspeaker Altec made.

While i agree with many of the attributes of the 15 that djnagle mentions above, it falls short in the critical midrange IMO. Above XO there is simply no comparison as the 15 uses the 802-8G compression driver on one of the best sounding small format horns Altec made. Some crossover tweaking could probably take them even a bit higher up the ladder.

The 890C uses the 406-8Y woofer that is built on the same 3 inch motor as the 414 and 416 woofers, it also uses a curvelinear cone which for many listeners plays the Altec magical midrange in spades.

I could understand folks choosing either one for their most outstanding attributes.