ID these Altecs if you don’t mind

[lattiboy]

Picked these up from an estate sale. No model specified. Guessing Valencia’s as the guy said his dad paid $1800 back in the late 60s or early 70s. They are in extraordinary condition and weigh a ton. Has the matching console too.

Unfortunately he was listing the McIntosh gear (I believe an MA-6500 and preamp) separately.

 

[Goldjazz]

Very nice! You have an N1500A crossover there. I have an N1500A with my Altec 604E's. Not sure if that crossover was used exclusively with the Altec 604 or with other models too. I'm sure someone will chime in with the ID of your speakers soon. $1800 in the 60's or 70's was a lot of coin, prob 10k or so in today's money.

 

[djnagle]

Looks like custom cabs but propable 414 woofs, 511 horns, and 600 something compression driver. What is he asking?

 

[Tom Brennan]

Cabinets appear custom or from cabinet companies like Barzilay or Acousticraft ; companies that made empty cabinets for hi-fi enthusiasts to use with drivers of their choice, that was quite common in the old days. But Altec made a wide variety of cabinets so they might be Altec cabinets.

With that crossover I'm a guessin' there are 604s or 605s inside.

 

[lattiboy]

Okay, I’ll be pulling out the components to id in the next hour or so. Will update

 

[lattiboy]

Welp, I think I did okay!!!! They sound so delightful. Just magical, beautiful speakers in unbelievable condition. This was a good Saturday.

No markings on the cabinets. It’s such nice work I have to imagine it was one of the better makers. Will continue the search.

 

[lattiboy]

Very nice! You have an N1500A crossover there. I have an N1500A with my Altec 604E's. Not sure if that crossover was used exclusively with the Altec 604 or with other models too. I'm sure someone will chime in with the ID of your speakers soon. $1800 in the 60's or 70's was a lot of coin, prob 10k or so in today's money.

Man, you are good! See pictures above

 

[Tom Brennan]

Latti, you're now an Altecista and privy to all the arcane knowledge that entails.

 

[Goldjazz]

Man, you are good! See pictures above

Ha nice one. I really like my 604E's, they are fantasic speakers. I'm sure you will reallly enjoy. Great scroe!

 

[Dr. Beaker]

Love the label on the crossover.

"High frequency shelving control"
"Full two section LC precision crossover network"

Clearly a label made by an engineer and not a marketing guy.

 

[macyjrm]

Your find underscores a lesson often learned here at AK. "They" are still out there. Fabulous finds that is. Congrats.

 

[electronjohn]

Su...weet!

 

[twiiii]

I can't tell if the speakers are ported or not. If not they should be. You would probably pick up 2/3 to an entire octave of bass below 60 hz.

 

[rogerfederer]

holy moly; what a scroe!

 

[gdmoore28]

Looks like custom cabs but propable 414 woofs, 511 horns, and 600 something compression driver. What is he asking?

. . . . and a partridge in a pear tree.

GeeDeeEmm

 

[ragtopolds6]

nice...I once got a 604c in a early 50s altec cabinet...I think it was a 608 cabinet for 70dollars

 

[lattiboy]

If anybody can help with cabinet ID that would be awesome. These are BY FAR the nicest cabs I’ve ever seen (and I briefly had a pair of Altec Flamencos). Solid oak doors and trim, enough veneer to go to the moon and back.

 

[toddalin]

Probably Barzilay. My in-laws had some JBLs in Barzilay cabinets and they had that "square inside the cross" pattern except IIRC, it was the speaker grill and the square and recessed areas were open to the grill cloth.

They were similar to these listed as Barzilay, except that the square were open to the grill cloth. Note the scroll work on the second cabinet.