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tell me about Altec Valencias

ekmanning5

ekmanning5

Time has told me...
I'm going to listen to a pair of Altec Valencias next week. What should I know about them. I'd like to own a pair but I think I'm just lusting after something I don't have (audio wise :D). In the area I would consider putting them, I have right now a Pioneer sx-1250 and HPM 1500 and 900 speakers. I tend to use this area to listen to loud music...classic rock type stuff. Jazz, classical and the like gets done upstairs with Eico and Klipsch. What's the difference with what I've got down there now? What are Valencias good for? Bad with? Is the 1250 overkill, do I have to spring for another tube rig (please don't mention this to Mrs. Manning :nono:). Any opinions? Dgwojo? PunkerX, anybody?
Thanks.
 
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It's a VOT in a smaller, vented box. LF performance is decidedly limited... but, other than that, they're grand. "Great for tube amps". Personally I wouldn't bother with an SX-1250 for them.

I use my 16 ohm 846As with PP EL84 amplification (EICO HF-81 or Dyna SCA-35).
 
OK, just my .02. I think Valencias will be a moderate departure from what you're used to with the HPM's with respect to extension on both ends of the spectrum. You will probably notice an immediate lack of "sizzle" in the top end. Differences in the bass won't be as pronounced, and may not be immediately perceived as a lack of extension per se`. I expect that after some extended listening you might find the Valencias deliver a more articulate and real "feel the strings" bass sound, and of course that buttery smooth, and "alive" midrange that Altec does best. I think once "dialed in" in your environment and system, you'd find they'll do an admirable job with nearly any type of music save for stuff with a lot of complex HF/VHF content.

If HPM's and Klipsch have been your daily drivers for a long time, you might find the lack of VHF displeasing, and it may also exaggerate the perception of midrange forwardness. If you give them time, they'll surprise you, you'll find they get a much worse rap for rolled off highs than they deserve.

Audition the Valencias knowing they won't blow you away with nauseating levels of VLF, or glass breaking HF extension, but rather look to exploit the warmth and detail they possess in reproducing things like vocals and strings, especially the larger stringed instruments.

Exactly how they'll mate with your 1250 might depend to a small degree which version of Valencia. Some folks seem to feel that the original version 846A is better mated with tube amplification while the later tuned port 846B/U version is better paired with SS gear. I'm rather biased toward the 1250, personally feeling it's a cut above nearly any other receiver with regard to sonics. The only Altecs that might pair better with it would be model 19's.

Just my .02 y'all understand...............
 
No extended bass, shouty midrange, and rolled-off highs.

VOTT and it's derivatives do not translate well for home use by contemporary standards.

They can be fixed, but there are better options.

Altec didn't get it right until Model 19, and even those are, well, "dated."

Vintage Altecs have a cult following, and you may just have to experience them yourself.

Get past lust and what you think they are; listen for what they actually are.... :yes:
 
Good advice so far. Another factor I have to consider is my genuine affection for Pioneer gear. Looks are important also and I've come to appreciate the sonic and asthetic beauty of my now complete Pioneer rack. Bowtie, I like what you said about becoming comfortable with them, in a listening vein of coarse. Zilch, you're right, I need to be very objective about their sound when i do hear them. Not an easy task is it?
 
I had a set of Valencias and even my tin ears immediately noticed the lack of highs, and that started me digging about for solutions. I tried reworked crossovers, add on tweeters, bigger cabs, and finally stumbled upon the Econowave thread and began experimenting with that unit both piecemeal (swapping in the horns and driver separately, crossover too) and whole. I wound up selling the Valencias and going with a JBL/Econowave home-built cabinet.

FWIW, the midrange was quite nice and after about a 5 minute acclimation, I had no problem listening to either the tweaked Valencias with an extension tweeter ( I think, I did so many things with them...:yes:) or the LE14.Ewaves. Both sounded were very enjoyable.
I settled on the Ewaves though because of the deeper bass, flatter response, (that midrange magic is partially due to a hump in the response there), and better highs, all at probably 1/3rd the cost.

I really, really wanted to fall in love with the Valencias, but it just didn't happen. I also had HPM 900s, and the Valencias might not even measure up to them on both ends. But ultimately, the choice is yours, so bring your favorite selections and judge how they sound.

Have fun!! :yes:
 
Ed, you have some great feedback above. One other fact is size, weight of the speakers and the size of the room you have available. We talked about this before, really big speakers tend to be impressive in a short audition, but when you get them home and try to live with them, they sometimes lose their charm, and they so dominate the room with their size, you start to think ..... what have I done.

But I would never turn down a chance to hear them.

Cheers, Mark (aka Snade)
 
Snade said:
Ed, you have some great feedback above. One other fact is size, weight of the speakers and the size of the room you have available. We talked about this before, really big speakers tend to be impressive in a short audition, but when you get them home and try to live with them, they sometimes lose their charm, and they so dominate the room with their size, you start to think ..... what have I done.

But I would never turn down a chance to hear them.

Cheers, Mark (aka Snade)
Click to expand...

I'm really trying to want what I have in life (yeah, right). I mean, I have nicer stuff than I ever expected to have, but then again they are Altec Valencias :scratch2:.
 
I listened to these today. Impressions; they seemed bright to me. The dial on the back which I assume is for high end was only at 4. Maybe they needed a bigger room. Now granted, they were being driven by a 4 watt Grommes tube amp with no treble or bass controls. Nothing to balance them out. I'm not saying they were not nice because they were. Very crisp, detailed sound. Now my friend also had a pair of Joseph towers driven by two Manley 100 watt mono blocks. This setup was a bit less fatigueing. The cabs on the Valencias were in great condition and I wasn't overwhelmed by their size. I actually think my Cornwalls are a little bigger. All in all a pleasant set of speakers. :scratch2:
My Lord...it just dawned on me that three years ago I was listening to a JVC stackable BPC. Now I'm reviewing Altec, Klipsch and Manley. The world must be coming to an end. :music:
 
I've had 2 iterations of them. The "standard" Valencia (846b) and the Milano's (871a) which used basically the same drivers IIRC. They did some of things well, others, they didn't. To my ears. I just needed more VHF than they could do and didn't want to go to crazy on modifications with them. They never could replace my SDA's as the main speakers in the living room. Honestly, in my living room, a stacked pair of Dynaco A-25's sounded better.....to me. So did the New Large Advents, Infinity Quantum 3's, RS-IIIb's, L810's, and a couple of others. No offense to them or to anyone that uses them for their mains. We are all different. I wouldn't put my $.02 out there if I hadn't owned them.

But the music that sounded great on them was quite an experience. Unfortunately, that music was listened to about 20% of the time. Maybe having both IS your best option!
 
clydeselsor said:
So Ed, you gonna buy them? :D
Click to expand...

I think I'm going to think long and hard before I do anything. I think I told you the other day I'd have to revamp a whole system, get rid of two sets of HPMs, the whole shot. Think I'll wait awhile.
BTW, I got another Bogen last night. :yes:
 
This is a very good thread, by the way.

I'd vote to tinker to get the Cornwalls setup to their best and have that be the great horn speaker in your collection.

Your buddy, mark
 
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