I just bought a pair of Altec 403A's. Has anyone here tried them? I'm hoping they are somewhat similar to the 755. Thought about putting them in the 618 cabs to try them out.
JELabs/WE type enclosure.
WE/Altec 755 Part 2 (2 cf box)
JELabs/WE type enclosure.
WE/Altec 755 Part 2 (2 cf box)
The 755 was rated 40-15 kHz/20 W, 92 dB/4 ft, while the 403 was 70-11 kHz/12 W, 99 dB/4ft, so quite a bit different overall.
While Altec rated the ~2.3 ft^3 618 for any then current 8" drivers, the larger ~3 ft^3 614 is a bit better fit for the 403's different specs [higher Qts IIRC].
Strictly PA/Muzak/AM radio replacement speaker IMO, so for HIFI, best as a OB/IB mid in a large HE three way monitor, preferably with a thin felt or cotton ball 'dust cap'/diffuser and driven with a high output impedance [low DF] SET.
GM
While Altec rated the ~2.3 ft^3 618 for any then current 8" drivers, the larger ~3 ft^3 614 is a bit better fit for the 403's different specs [higher Qts IIRC].
Strictly PA/Muzak/AM radio replacement speaker IMO, so for HIFI, best as a OB/IB mid in a large HE three way monitor, preferably with a thin felt or cotton ball 'dust cap'/diffuser and driven with a high output impedance [low DF] SET.
GM
I will be using these with 2A3 SET. From GM's specs it looks like it might need a simple tweeter/cap to fill in the top. Although with my limited HF hearing I probably wouldn't hear the difference.
The 614 is a ported cab. Would it be better built sealed for the 403?
I really want to keep these simple, mid range listening. These will also be in a smaller room.
BTW, Good hearing from you GM. Haven't talked since the Betsy cabs.
The 614 is a ported cab. Would it be better built sealed for the 403?
I really want to keep these simple, mid range listening. These will also be in a smaller room.
BTW, Good hearing from you GM. Haven't talked since the Betsy cabs.
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Ah! I was trying to remember where/what speakers we had discussed.
Well, I used one in a pre WWII open back AM/shortwave console [~8 ft^3 IIRC] and it barely did AM's 5 kHz BW better than a 1960 AM clock radio with a 5" driver [both SET driven], though the LF was much 'fuller', which was all I cared about, i.e. I thought Stevie Wonder was a young girl until I heard 'Fingertips' on the console.
Anyway, based on this I personally would try the largest sealed cab I could 'afford' and if it sounded too small, then I'd do ~aperiodic.
GM
Well, I used one in a pre WWII open back AM/shortwave console [~8 ft^3 IIRC] and it barely did AM's 5 kHz BW better than a 1960 AM clock radio with a 5" driver [both SET driven], though the LF was much 'fuller', which was all I cared about, i.e. I thought Stevie Wonder was a young girl until I heard 'Fingertips' on the console.
Anyway, based on this I personally would try the largest sealed cab I could 'afford' and if it sounded too small, then I'd do ~aperiodic.
GM
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I hope they do better than that. The drivers arrived today. So I'll stick them on some cheap OSB 2x4 OB's and see what they sound like. Then move on from there.
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