sbeineke
New Member
A couple years ago I came across a pair of Baltek 90 speakers and picked them up on the cheap. One of the woofers was rubbing (which I didn't notice at the time of listening when I looked at them). I bought them because I I really like the cabinets.
Took them home and hooked them up to a real amplifier where I discovered the woofer was rubbing. Pulled it and centered it as much possible via ear by loosening the 4 bolts on the back of the speaker and realigning. Success. Maybe some day I will pull the dust cover and do it right but it is working fine now.
https://www.google.com/search?q=bal...4KHZ9TAMAQ9QEwCHoECAkQDA#imgrc=HcVbewxbHxNU9M:
Also found there was absolutely no imaging. Discovered the one speaker was internally wired out of phase. Reversed polarity at the terminals and that fixed that problem.
These are very bright speakers to the the point the tweet can overshadow the midrange and woofer. This was easily handled by the pot adjustments of the crossover. The bass is outstanding from the speakers but something just didn't add up using Rotel and Yamaha amps.
Tried a NAD 573 and improved but still....
So, they sat in the garage for 2 years. While cleaning up the garage I decided to bring them in and give them another chance. Hooked them up to my Scott 299B using El34 tubes amp and it completely changed the character of them and I absolutely love them now. I played with tubes and decided the Sovtek El34s were the best choice for my amp without going NOS. Also note that I didn't rebias for the Slovtek tubes.
I run everything flat and these are so well balanced and natural sounding I have concluded these the best deal (60 bucks) I have made in awhile. It just takes the right amp and in this case apparently a valve amp is the best.
The cabinets are just beautiful and well constructed. I removed the cheap oversized tacky looking grill logos to give them more class. The harshness of the tweeters is long gone and in fact are very smooth and silky. Now, are the Bozak Concert Grands or Altec Duplexes? Nope. But the construction of the the cabinets, crossovers, and drivers is first rate.
Took them home and hooked them up to a real amplifier where I discovered the woofer was rubbing. Pulled it and centered it as much possible via ear by loosening the 4 bolts on the back of the speaker and realigning. Success. Maybe some day I will pull the dust cover and do it right but it is working fine now.
https://www.google.com/search?q=bal...4KHZ9TAMAQ9QEwCHoECAkQDA#imgrc=HcVbewxbHxNU9M:
Also found there was absolutely no imaging. Discovered the one speaker was internally wired out of phase. Reversed polarity at the terminals and that fixed that problem.
These are very bright speakers to the the point the tweet can overshadow the midrange and woofer. This was easily handled by the pot adjustments of the crossover. The bass is outstanding from the speakers but something just didn't add up using Rotel and Yamaha amps.
Tried a NAD 573 and improved but still....
So, they sat in the garage for 2 years. While cleaning up the garage I decided to bring them in and give them another chance. Hooked them up to my Scott 299B using El34 tubes amp and it completely changed the character of them and I absolutely love them now. I played with tubes and decided the Sovtek El34s were the best choice for my amp without going NOS. Also note that I didn't rebias for the Slovtek tubes.
I run everything flat and these are so well balanced and natural sounding I have concluded these the best deal (60 bucks) I have made in awhile. It just takes the right amp and in this case apparently a valve amp is the best.The cabinets are just beautiful and well constructed. I removed the cheap oversized tacky looking grill logos to give them more class. The harshness of the tweeters is long gone and in fact are very smooth and silky. Now, are the Bozak Concert Grands or Altec Duplexes? Nope. But the construction of the the cabinets, crossovers, and drivers is first rate.
