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Altec Woofer Question

THOR

THOR

Fearless Prophet
Well today I was playing just the Altec Model 15's and was using the balance knob to A, B between the Altec Model 15 that has the original woofer and the one with the Rat Shack woofer.

To say I am dissapointed to say that the Rat Shack woofer not only holds its own against the Altec woofer but almost sounds better would be an understatement.

These Altec woofers are not worth the $$$ to send out to be reconditioned, no way, no how. If they can barely keep up with a $30 Rat Shack woofer.

Could someone please point me in the direction of an acceptable replacement?

I figure if these things sound as good as they do with the crappy woofers they got in em' I can't imagine the sound if I get some good quality drivers in there.

Any ideas?
 
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You could try the 12" Altec 414-8C, but you'd have to change the cross-over and tuning of the cabinet. It should be far better than the inexpensive stamped frame woofer used in the Model 15.

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So let me see if I got this right. You have one Altec that needs repairs and one new Rat shack woofer. You are comparing a broken woofer to an non broken one. Thats not a fair test...
 
No the working one does not need repair but if I was to send the other out I would send both out to be totally redone, the altec woofer used in comparison is in perfect working order and like Don says it is a "cheap stamped frame woofer"

Thanks Don but I am hoping to find something new, that I can readily buy, that I can just pop in the cabinet and not need to do anything further.

Any ideas?
 
if you want new , Parts Express has lots, you need to match a woofer (low frequency driver) to your cabinet and crossover. Try matching the factory LF driver spec to a new unit.

your other option is to just send them to me. :D
 
Find the part number on the woofer, horn, compression driver and crossover. Go to <www.soundpractices.com/altec.html> get as much info as you can on SPL(db efficiancy) frequency range, if you can find the crossover points etc and get as close as you can to matching it up at Parts Express.
 
realize by replacing the Altec originals with new aftermarket, you're going to ruffle a few of the purist's feathers. :eek:
 
Thor

If your looking for 12 inch woofers I might have a pair around here of some pretty nice ones. Maybe we could swap for the altec ones. :D
 
Thor

The woofer from the later Model 14 should work. However, I don't know the part number or the specs and it will be tough finding them.

The Model 14 woofer is a cast frame 12" driver that uses a ceramic magnet. The same driver was also used in the last version of the 9842 studio monitor. I have been told that Altec made a switch to this driver in the last year of production of the Model 15 and then used it again in the replacement Model 14. I haven't been able to confirm this, but if true, means that it likely could be substituted into your system without modification.

To find out for sure, you would need the T/S parameters for both drivers. Unfortunately, Altec only published T/S paramaters for drivers that they sold separately as pro components. The Model 14 and 15 drivers were never available as raw components. That's why I don't know their part or model number.

Your best bet for further details would be to contact Bill Hanuschak to see if he can add anything. Ask him about the 9842 woofer. He may be more familiar with the driver as used in that studio monitor since it was in production while he was at Altec. The Models 14 and 15 were discontinued before he started.
 
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Can't I just get the specs? You know like the ones they show for woofers in partsexpress? example:

Power handling: 300 watts RMS/750 watts max * Voice coil diameter: 3" * Nominal impedance: 2 ohms * Re: 1.6 ohms * Frequency response: 21-300 Hz * Fs: 28 Hz *SPL: 93 dB 2.83V/1m * Vas: 2.15 cu. ft. * Qms: 6.6 * Qes: .52 * Qts: .48 * Xmax: 9.5 mm

And just get something that matches close to that?? I mean just throwing the rat shack woofer in works fine but I would like to get something that would do the speakers a little more justice.

Grump if it pisses off the purists thats just even more reason for me to do it ;) :D

Grumpy you do not want these Altec woofers they are pure junk, ask Don, but I would surely trade you for some decent ones if you really wanna ;)
 
I found the part number for the 9842 woofer, but I don't know if it will do much for you since it was never sold standalone. It was:

50-03-034633-01

As reference, the 9842 specs are here:

http://www.lansingheritage.org/html/altec/specs/pro-speakers/9842.htm

the Model 14 specs are here:

http://www.lansingheritage.org/html/altec/specs/home-speakers/model-14.htm

They appear to use identical components in different cabinets. The Model 14 was discontinued in 1982, but the 9842 remained in production until at least 1984.
 
Thor

Let me look. I think i have a nice pair of woofers. I am trying to find the specs on them but they aint easy to find like your altecs
 
You know the specs I posted were just some random ones and not the specs for the Altec Model 15 woofers right?
 
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