Altec Model 19 Clone

[cygnus x1]

Seeing that I will never be able to afford a vintage set of JBL/Altec, I wanted to ask are there any equivalent drivers, horns available...like GPA or other? Any other new mfg drivers that would work similar?

 

[DaveCan]

For the real deal new you can get everything you need for an M19 at GPA. Not sure about the horn though, but you could call and ask them.

https://greatplainsaudio.com/great-plains-audio-announcements/new-n1200-8a-crossover/

https://greatplainsaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/902series-1.pdf

https://greatplainsaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/416_8C.pdf

Or the Alnico drivers:

https://greatplainsaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Classic-Series-416-8B-Spec-Sheet.pdf

https://greatplainsaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Classic-Series-802-8G-Spec-Sheet.pdf

https://greatplainsaudio.com/

 

[Godzilla]

Altec 19 clone ideas...

I will bite. Consider these components. Others will be partial towards different brands. Certainly not cheap.

Eminence CB158, 15" woofer

Eminence Legend CB158 15" Bass Guitar Speaker 300W 8 Ohm


Eminence N314T compression driver

Eminence N314T-8 1.4" Neo Compression Driver 8 Ohm 4-Bolt


Eminence PXB2:800 crossover

Eminence PXB2:800 2-Way Speaker Crossover Board 800 Hz


Eminence H14EA 1.4" horn

Eminence H14EA 1.4" Cast Aluminum Exponential Horn 60x40 4-Bolt


Build a 4 to 5 cubic foot box. Buy an L-pad.

 

[cygnus x1]

Funny I was looking at Eminence. GPA never list their prices on the web page, but I'm sure WAY more then Eminence.

Have to ask why 15" Bass guitar speaker...but you would know more than I do?

 

[Godzilla]

The reason I selected that 15" driver is because I heard it was used as Klipsch Belle and La Scala substitutes. After simming several 15" drivers I think there are several good options. I never heard any of the drivers I suggested. But I have thought about building this project. Unfortunately, it became cost prohibitive once the parts were gathered.

I think FaitalPRO offer similar or higher performing drivers (subjectively) to look at as well.

 

[Lojzek]

I agree that Eminence Legend CB 158 is a worthy component, reasonably priced. The simulation includes 250 litres vented, Fb=38 Hz, baffle step included, filtered through one LP inductor and an RC in parallel.

 

[jimbro]

Consider these kits -
Fusion-15 DIY Sound Group
Pi Speaker Kits, four Pi kit

 

[LineSource]

The woodshop often sets the design direction.

Speaker cabinets as FURNITURE vs. cabinets for PERFORMANCE vs. cabinets which are EASY to build vs. flat pack KITS.
--You can find Model 19 Klone build theads which use different components and furniture grade wood work
--You can find CornScala easy build cabinets threads
--You can find clever new horns built into clever new cabinet designs
--You can find complete CNC cut flat-pack kits as jimbo noted at diysoundgroup.com

-----$335----Lowest Cost 15" T-M (1" CD + 15") Fusion-15 kit from diysoundgroup.com
15" Eminence Deltalite: $160
Denovo DNA-360: $80
Denovo SEOS-15 waveguide: $35
Set of crossover parts: $60

-----$435----Low Cost T-M (1.4" CD + 15")
Eminence CB158, 15" woofer $130
Eminence N314T-8 1.4" Neo Compression Driver 8 Ohm Ti dome 4-Bolt $200
Eminence PXB2:800 2-Way Speaker Crossover Board 800 Hz $50
Eminence H14EA 1.4" Cast Aluminum Exponential Horn 60x40 4-Bolt $55
---->Exponential curve not common in home audio. Designed for PA.
---->Alternative: FaitalPRO LTH142 1.4" 60 x 50 Elliptical Tractrix Horn 4-Bolt. $60

----$660--------Focal T-M (1.4" CD + 15")
FaitalPro 15PR400 $260
FaitalPro HF146 1.4" Neo Compression Driver Plastic dome $250
FaitalPRO LTH142 1.4" 60 x 50 Elliptical Tractrix Horn 4-Bolt. $60
custom BW3 - LR4 crossover ~ $100

 

[Godzilla]

Thanks LineSource! The $435 option is exactly the same components I selected.

 

[g3dahl]

It might be worth a phone call to GPA (Bill) to find out the prices of the items you are interested in. If you get voice mail, my suggestion would be to try again after a little while...seems to work better than waiting for a return call. ;-)

 

[jimbro]

Here's a link to a paper by Wayne Parnham on why he chooses the horn he uses instead of an exponential type. There's lots of good info on his site and forum.
http://www.pispeakers.com/Pi_Speakers_Info.pdf

 

[DaveCan]

I think you can gather the parts from GPA for the M19 cheaper than a pair of 604's. The crossover for the M19 is $178, and I think the 416 is around $230 and the 902 around $230. Just guesstimates on the drivers but the crossover is accurate on price.

So about $638 per side give or take for the real McCoy.

Edit: I agree with Gary, it would be good to give Bill at GPA a call and see what the prices are. I think I was pretty close on the 416 and 902 prices. If you are saving lets say $400 by using other drivers, it may be best to save up that extra $400 for example and go with the real drivers. Then you have the real deal. https://greatplainsaudio.com/

 

[lisoformio]

I think you can gather the parts from GPA for the M19 cheaper than a pair of 604's. The crossover for the M19 is $178, and I think the 416 is around $230 and the 902 around $230. Just guesstimates on the drivers but the crossover is accurate on price. So about $638 per side give or take for the real McCoy.

+1

 

[Audio Elite]

The woodshop often sets the design direction.

Speaker cabinets as FURNITURE vs. cabinets for PERFORMANCE vs. cabinets which are EASY to build vs. flat pack KITS.
--You can find Model 19 Klone build theads which use different components and furniture grade wood work
--You can find CornScala easy build cabinets threads
--You can find clever new horns built into clever new cabinet designs
--You can find complete CNC cut flat-pack kits as jimbo noted at diysoundgroup.com

-----$335----Lowest Cost 15" T-M (1" CD + 15") Fusion-15 kit from diysoundgroup.com
15" Eminence Deltalite: $160
Denovo DNA-360: $80
Denovo SEOS-15 waveguide: $35
Set of crossover parts: $60

-----$435----Low Cost T-M (1.4" CD + 15")
Eminence CB158, 15" woofer $130
Eminence N314T-8 1.4" Neo Compression Driver 8 Ohm Ti dome 4-Bolt $200
Eminence PXB2:800 2-Way Speaker Crossover Board 800 Hz $50
Eminence H14EA 1.4" Cast Aluminum Exponential Horn 60x40 4-Bolt $55
---->Exponential curve not common in home audio. Designed for PA.
---->Alternative: FaitalPRO LTH142 1.4" 60 x 50 Elliptical Tractrix Horn 4-Bolt. $60

----$660--------Focal T-M (1.4" CD + 15")
FaitalPro 15PR400 $260
FaitalPro HF146 1.4" Neo Compression Driver Plastic dome $250
FaitalPRO LTH142 1.4" 60 x 50 Elliptical Tractrix Horn 4-Bolt. $60
custom BW3 - LR4 crossover ~ $100

I would go for the Faital Pro option for absolute sound quality. Don't just look at price and specs, It how the drivers reproduce sound as well!

 

[lisoformio]

I would go for the Faital Pro option for absolute sound quality. Don't just look at price and specs, It how the drivers reproduce sound as well!

But you should recalculate the bass loading and it would not be a M19 clone... that is... all the woofers listed have specs far from the 416 as used in a M19

 

[Cal Weldon]

Here is the final incarnation of the 416 used in the M19, if you want to compare specs.

http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/altec/specs/components/416-8c/page1.jpg

 

[Cal Weldon]

Would you like me to change the title to Altec?

 

[LineSource]

If you want to build a furniture grade copy of the 9cuft Altec Model 19, using drivers and crossovers from GPA does make sense. Excellent documentation assures low risk. The production GPA 416-8C has different T/S specs from Cal Weldon Altec T/S specs. I ran a few sims for different versions of 416-8? woofers in this thread:
Altec Model 19 Clone, sorta.......

The newer compression drivers, horns, and low Le woofers have good performance specs. The "bevels and rounds" of a low diffraction cabinet can be hidden behind a grill cloth, or displayed like the Geddes Summa. This presents an opportunity for high quality audio in a cabinet size and shape which best fits your room.

The woodshop cabilities often sets the design direction.

 

[GM]

Page 2 and please do 😉!

http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/altec/specs/components/416-8c/page2.jpg

GM

 

[steve jones]

What's an original pair of M19s in excellent condition going for these days?