Altec 291 "as is" HELP

[Zwiller]

Pair for sale sorta near me and can tell seller knows nothing about speakers. I am under the impression worst case they would need 'frams. Or could these be totally shot? Best case they fire right up of course. Wear looks typical and nothing brutal. Plan to do the GPA 'frams but wanted to check with the gurus here before I get serious about them. Thanks in advance.

 

[Cal Weldon]

Sounds like you're on the right course. Good price?

 

[Zwiller]

Sounds like you're on the right course. Good price?

Thanks. Could be better like always. Asking $400 for the pair. First foray into Altec land for me.

 

[Cal Weldon]

It’s addicting. Be careful.

 

[GM]

Which 291? If AlNiCo, then best to remag/rebuild by GPA.

 

[Zwiller]

16A yep alnico. I am way too cheap to go nuts with it but always wanted to give it a try. GPA all the way. Am I right? 291 + 288 fram is a 299 and basically the equivalent of a 288?

 

[GM]

Right, should be in theory and not aware of Bill trying to 'improve' on the diaphragm's original tooling when he had new ones made and the same spec alum. is still available.

 

[Zwiller]

Am I correct that the 288/291 are substantially heavier and larger than the 800 series stuff? Then the 200 series has 5 allen heads holding cover whereas the 800 is 3 screws? Thanks in advance!

 

[pinholer]

My 291s have 6 allen screws, 288s have 4, and the 800s have 3 screws. The 288 and 291 are way bigger and heavier than the 800s. My 291s are Alnico, so maybe that's the difference for number of screws.

 

[Zwiller]

THANKS! That's exactly the info I needed!!! Pic even better!

These are probably 800 series right?

 

[GM]

Correct and the black Bakelite rear cover is a loading cap to increase power handling down low.

 

[pinholer]

The 800 series are about 5 inches in diameter and the 200 series are about 8 inches in diameter. I can easily hold an 800 series driver in one hand but would be tough to do so with a 200 series driver.