Altec Model 14 Vs Bozak Symphony

[MadcapLaughs]

Hi there,

I need some general opinions here if a pair of Bozak Symphonies would be a worthy upgrade from my Altec model 14s? The pair I’m looking at apparently have all the crossover modifications done and reccaped and are the later 1980 series models with the z tweeters. My model 14s sound great and there is nothing wrong with them, but I get audio ADD and always have the upgrade itch.

I have the proper amplification for both speakers (125 wpc Yamaha a 1020 integrated and a 35 wpc Scott 299d tube amp). I know bozaks like power.

I listen to a lot of classic rock, jazz, metal, and electronica so I’m hoping the bozaks can deliver all the above. I’ve noticed lately that my Altecs can sound pretty harsh even with the tube amp when I’m listening to source material like early Stones, the Kinks, the stooges, etc.

 

[superdog]

IMO rock and metal are not Bozaks strong points.Period music such as jazz and classical are their strengths and they do them very well.

 

[drbiggles]

Hey man,

That's a pretty tough question to answer. It's your Ear, and your listening environment that needs to make that determination. Is there anyway in gosh that you can audition the Symphonys in your home for a short while? I ran my Symphonys with a 55 watt rig, never was able to get it past half way on the volume level. It's the quality of power and source that matters most. The B199 has plenty of mid-bass slam in the Symphonys, good for rock. I listened to more than a few hours of Rammstein on mine, nearly sounded live. You're going to have trouble with Electronica though. The highs don't go up high enough, cleanly. They do what they do exceptionally well, but going up above 12k isn't it. You'd want to source a nice pair of super tweeters. Add an inductor to cut the Z tweeters off around 9k, bring in the super tweeter for the rest. It's not a big deal to do. In any case, have fun in your quest!

Biggles

 

[twiiii]

Well below 13 KHZ its all symphony using the right amplifiers. Above 13 K the Altecs. Oh the Altecs will play a little louder if thats necessary. The Altecs are about 3 db more efficient and will handle the same power. So the Altecs will play 3 or 4 db louder. There isn't an Altec made that can match the midrange driver in a Bozak. Most of us like to bi-amp our Symphonys to get better tangent response from our woofers. If you want perfectly flat bass to 40 Hz with a slight roll off to 32 HZ pull your Symphonys 3 to 4 feet away from the rear wall. For a warmer sound which most Bozak owners love a little closer to the wall. Never put a Symphony in a corner unless the room is very hard. The Altec 14 is a special case as it has the high crossover and a plastic horn so it doesn't have the sound of the model 19. But operating a big heavy woofer that high into the midrange frequencies is a big no no for me. The model 14 you can stand up and listen to the sound. The Symphony you have to be seated. The line array of tweeters keep reflections off floors and ceilings and guarantee a more intimate reflection free sound. Now if you are talking about the 4005 low boy Symphony thats a totally different story.

We had customers that powered Symphonys with MC 2105's, 135 watts/channel before clipping, that never had an issue. I think in the 40 years I worked I only saw two Blown B-199 woofers . They were from 302's. I guess I had my. Symphonys for 7 years pushed with MC 240's mono, 110 watts. The 4005's I have now, one for the center and the others for the rear are all bi-amped with a super tweeter added. The S tweeter has its own passive crossover. The electronic crossover is set for a lower frequency and a steeper rate than the removed passive cross- over components for the woofer/mid combination. The center channel is the most important speaker for a HT system. I have 200 watt. rated amp on top and a 200 watt rated amp on the Bottom pushing my center Symphony. Most of the time my. center speaker never sees more than 5 watts. But some of the techno movies push 70 watts or so. I have never seen a Power Guard light flash on the center channel or rear amps. Now the amps with the same power pushing the tri amped Concert Grands in the Stereo mode have been pushed with the Power Guard lights flashing very briefly with Telarc recordings with their special effects. Or about 290 watts each. If the sound is spread evenly across the spectrum that almost 600 watts to the speakers or 121.5 DB from the concert grands.

Remember you woofers are rated at 25 watts rms each or for both. about 200 watts peak together. I listen to my Grands in the stereo mode 2 watts is the level I prefer for Forte passages at 16 ft. With peaks to 20 watts in the bass. Or about 90 db to 92 db, with 102 db instantaneous peaks from commercial recordings.

 

[Drugolf]

Hey twiiii, how big is the room your grands are in?