Altec Subs

[Borg7x9]

Hi All, hope you are all doing well.

Ive been enjoying my Altec Lansing 604-8ks in 620b cabs, and i noticed recently a local pair of 18” Altec subs in cabinets. They look original. They are 3184 drivers in 8184 cabinets. They look a bit rough and ready (the cabs) . But i thought they might be a nice addition to the 604s to fill out the bottom end.(60 hz down). I was wondering if anyone has tried this and had any advice in terms of its a good idea or not. I have the room so thats not an issue. Also the pair is for sale at about 1000usd in black painted cabinets… which Im thinking is a bit much…

Any thoughts and advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[GordonW]

That's not a terrible option- but, IMHO, you may get more bang-for-your-buck with a pair of JBL 2245s. in the right enclosures.

JBL 4645s- the original version with the 2245H in them- come up for sale for similar pricing. They'll not only go significantly lower (F3 of about 35Hz without EQ, whereas the Altecs will barely get down to 40Hz), but have more low end excursion. And they're EASILY as "quick" as the Altecs.

Even JBL 2235s (the 15") will go a little lower than the Altec 3184. And probably for even less money.

That said- the Altecs are available now, whereas you probably will have to do some searching to find the JBLs. As mentioned, the Altec is not a bad option. And, if you decide you do need more low bass- it would be easily possible to just swap in a pair of JBL 2245s into the 8184 cabinets. Maybe a bit of port re-tuning, but you should be able to easily get to 30Hz or lower, in that situation.

Regards,
Gordon.

 

[Borg7x9]

Hi Gordon, thank you for your comprehensive reply. Based on that, i may try and grab them( if i can negotiate a better price) which will let me work on the system setup/integration etc. and then keep an eye out for some 2245s over time. That seems like a solid way forward.

Thanks again.

 

[Borg7x9]

That's not a terrible option- but, IMHO, you may get more bang-for-your-buck with a pair of JBL 2245s. in the right enclosures.

JBL 4645s- the original version with the 2245H in them- come up for sale for similar pricing. They'll not only go significantly lower (F3 of about 35Hz without EQ, whereas the Altecs will barely get down to 40Hz), but have more low end excursion. And they're EASILY as "quick" as the Altecs.

Even JBL 2235s (the 15") will go a little lower than the Altec 3184. And probably for even less money.

That said- the Altecs are available now, whereas you probably will have to do some searching to find the JBLs. As mentioned, the Altec is not a bad option. And, if you decide you do need more low bass- it would be easily possible to just swap in a pair of JBL 2245s into the 8184 cabinets. Maybe a bit of port re-tuning, but you should be able to easily get to 30Hz or lower, in that situation.

Regards,
Gordon.

Hi again Gordon, what do you think these might be ??? Also for sale locally... Calls them JBL concert series, but cant find a lot of info on them. could they be worth a play ??

JBL Concert Series pair | Trade Me Marketplace

JBL Concert Series pair very good condition JBL cabinet 800W x 449D x 1224 H 2 x JBL 15” bass speakers each cabinet JBL horn driver and JBL flare Must...

www.trademe.co.nz

 

[x3workshop]

The JBL's are in Tauranga and the Altecs are in Dunedin. Where are you? If shipping isn't a concern I'd go with the Altecs. Built for purpose.

Not often I see Altecs come up on Trade Me, or in NZ in general

 

[Borg7x9]

Im in auckland, not too worried about the altecs being shipped,(other than the price) its just the drivers im interested in. Ive had some nice cabs for my 604s made. Id probably get some matching ones done for the subs. 3/4 baltic with oak veneer. I wasn't thinking about the jbls as a sub more of just a fun thing to play with, and a nice road trip away.

 

[GordonW]

Hi again Gordon, what do you think these might be ??? Also for sale locally... Calls them JBL concert series, but cant find a lot of info on them. could they be worth a play ??

JBL Concert Series pair | Trade Me Marketplace

JBL Concert Series pair very good condition JBL cabinet 800W x 449D x 1224 H 2 x JBL 15” bass speakers each cabinet JBL horn driver and JBL flare Must...

www.trademe.co.nz

View attachment 3850400

I don't think those are going to do what you're looking for. Looks like maybe a 2225 for the bottom 15", and possibly a 2032 for the top 15".

Now, IF that bottom woofer IS a 2225- those can be reconed as 2235s, as those have the same frame and magnet. But, that's a big if, and it's a rather roundabout way to get to what you need.

The 2032 really isn't going to add anything to the cause. There's no equivalent subwoofer driver that JBL made that used that frame, so there's not a kit where it could be reconed as a subwoofer.

Those cabinets are probably not what you would want, in any case. Tuning and cabinet size just isn't going to do low bass.

EDIT: Corrected to say that "if the BOTTOM woofer is a 2225"

Regards,
Gordon.

 

[Borg7x9]

I don't think those are going to do what you're looking for. Looks like maybe a 2225 for the bottom 15", and possibly a 2032 for the top 15".

Now, IF that top woofer IS a 2225- those can be reconed as 2235s, as those have the same frame and magnet. But, that's a big if, and it's a rather roundabout way to get to what you need.

The 2032 really isn't going to add anything to the cause. There's no equivalent subwoofer driver that JBL made that used that frame, so there's not a kit where it could be reconed as a subwoofer.

Those cabinets are probably not what you would want, in any case. Tuning and cabinet size just isn't going to do low bass.

Regards,
Gordon.

Thanks Gordon, I understand.

 

[toddalin]

If you want to re-cone them as 2235s, first look into the availability of cones, real and after-market.