Altec Woofer ID?
- Thread starter dc270
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I'm guessing it's a 12", alnico, 16 ohm 414z, Dave.
Goodwill_HiFi
Super Member
I'll second the 12" and AlNiCo magnet..... probably some kind of 414..... was there any other 12" model besides the 417?
Ok Dave.... how did you check the DCR through a picture? :scratch2:
I'm not familiar with the 414, what makes you think they are Z's?
Ok Dave.... how did you check the DCR through a picture? :scratch2:
I'm not familiar with the 414, what makes you think they are Z's?
It sure looks to be some version of the 414, a guess on the 16 ohm rating, he'll have to check if it reads about 11 ohms DCR on the meter, the 417 is a musical instrument woofer, the 414 should have a black spider, the 417 beige. Looking closer, the cast frame will make it something other than a 414Z, see pic below, Dave.
bowtie427ss
Lunatic Member
I think those are "B" or "Y" versions, the B's came in 8 and 16 ohm versions. I know less than squat about the Y version, how it differs from the B, or even if it does.
What's the last digit in the last part of that stamped number on the magnet?
Altec part number for a 414-16B is 32369.
The earlier curved spoke frames that Dave Wojo shows(very nice pair BTW) were also used to build most of the 412 bi-flex speakers, the 412's are usually hammertone green.
EDIT: I knew there was something familiar with the OP's pic showing the woofer mounted, now it's finally clear to me that it's mounted to a 9844 baffle. The other woofer was probably mounted on the opposite side of the vent/port, definitely 414-16B's if that's the case.
What's the last digit in the last part of that stamped number on the magnet?
Altec part number for a 414-16B is 32369.
The earlier curved spoke frames that Dave Wojo shows(very nice pair BTW) were also used to build most of the 412 bi-flex speakers, the 412's are usually hammertone green.
EDIT: I knew there was something familiar with the OP's pic showing the woofer mounted, now it's finally clear to me that it's mounted to a 9844 baffle. The other woofer was probably mounted on the opposite side of the vent/port, definitely 414-16B's if that's the case.
Goodwill_HiFi
Super Member
Right, I think you misunderstood what I meant. I know it isn't a 417, I'm just trying to list off the 12" woofers from Altec......There is the 414, and the 417...... anything else? ..... that isn't a Duplex? I'm not very familiar with the Altec 12" woofers, other than my own 417-8H's.
Looking closer, the cast frame will make it something other than a 414Z, see pic below, Dave.
Yes, that's one thing I have no knowledge of..... that frame. I've seen it before in pictures but don't know when/where/what about it.
Goodwill_HiFi
Super Member
I had no idea what those numbers are a driver part number..... I assume part numbers must be on the spec sheets someplace? I've never looked for a part number..... never needed it. I'll have to check the numbers on my 417's. I only "know" they are 417-8H because that's what the 1221A stage monitors are supposed to have in them.
bowtie427ss
Lunatic Member
I don't know the whole story behind the 5 and 6 digit part numbers. From what i can gather they sometimes indicate "special" incarnations for specific speaker systems. Case in point, i have some 9849 monitors with HF drivers stamped simply 23746. They're fairly unique drivers and i've not seen them in any other application, annular steel phase plug, loading cap, 23744 "light" diaphragms, and new style rear cover with push terminals all in the "short" 806 body. You can cross reference some of the 5/6 digit part numbers in the 1975 reference guide, AFAIK it is error free.
The common Altec 12's that i'm aware of start with the 600/600B which was more of a full range speaker than woofer, it used a "dia-cone" with aluminum center dome. All 600B's that i've seen were in stamped steel baskets. Then there's the 412 bi-flex, early ones had molded paper center domes and were in the same stamped frame as the 600, i've also seen 412's in the cast curved spoke frames with both paper center domes, and aluminum, i think the ones with aluminum centers were the newest 412's.
Just my .02 from what i've seen out there, i know there are other variants, one would be the woofer in the Stonehenge I. The thing with Altec is that for every rule, there's probably a dozen exceptions and amendments.
The common Altec 12's that i'm aware of start with the 600/600B which was more of a full range speaker than woofer, it used a "dia-cone" with aluminum center dome. All 600B's that i've seen were in stamped steel baskets. Then there's the 412 bi-flex, early ones had molded paper center domes and were in the same stamped frame as the 600, i've also seen 412's in the cast curved spoke frames with both paper center domes, and aluminum, i think the ones with aluminum centers were the newest 412's.
Just my .02 from what i've seen out there, i know there are other variants, one would be the woofer in the Stonehenge I. The thing with Altec is that for every rule, there's probably a dozen exceptions and amendments.
Goodwill_HiFi
Super Member
Is that found on the Lansing Heritage site?
Oh yes, I forgot about the 600..... I've seen a few on Ebay. I assume the 412, must be a 12" version of the 415 with a second surround in the middle of the cone?
Right.....rarely is an answer straight :yes:
bowtie427ss
Lunatic Member
Yes
http://www.lansingheritage.org/html/altec/reference/1975-driver.htm
and yes, the 412 has that second "compliance" midway between the VC and outer surround, i think it's a rather interesting speaker and hope to experiment with a couple someday.
http://www.lansingheritage.org/html/altec/reference/1975-driver.htm
and yes, the 412 has that second "compliance" midway between the VC and outer surround, i think it's a rather interesting speaker and hope to experiment with a couple someday.
Bob Orme
Active Member
I don't know if I would call that a second surround. It is molded into the paper cone body. It is meant to be a separate flex point, and heavily treated with damping compound it might look like a second surround. Here is a photo of an Altec 12" dia-cone cone with no damping compound on the surround or the secondary flex point.
bowtie427ss
Lunatic Member
Green frames would be earlier than black, being green they might also have "cans" over the magnets. Do they also have curved spokes like the ones in Dave Wojo's pics?
These are circa 1975:
bowtie427ss
Lunatic Member
Surely no apologies necessary here, could be you were remembering the tags/decals on them as they're in the classic green. I'm also quite sure that some of the earliest 9844's did indeed have woofers with green frames and curved spokes.
Lately, these are the 414's that have won my heart, 414-8C. Visually they appear to have the same magnet structure as the coveted 15 inch 416-8B. But, they still use the smaller 1.8lb alnico slug common among all variants of 414. AFAIK, the 417 MI speaker is the only 12 to use the same 2.4lb alnico slug as the 15 inch 416 woofers.
Lately, these are the 414's that have won my heart, 414-8C. Visually they appear to have the same magnet structure as the coveted 15 inch 416-8B. But, they still use the smaller 1.8lb alnico slug common among all variants of 414. AFAIK, the 417 MI speaker is the only 12 to use the same 2.4lb alnico slug as the 15 inch 416 woofers.
(414-16B).
Goodwill_HiFi
Super Member
So it's one piece? I didn't know what else to call it, and assumed it was a joint between two separate pieces of cone.
Goodwill_HiFi
Super Member
Thanks, I've downloaded it and saved it.
I have a 415A, but the cone is shredded...... in fact I think part of the cone is missing. I haven't looked at it in awhile. I planned on asking Bill H. about rebuilding it as a 416.
