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Desperate to Get Back to Horns

After selling my Altec Model 19’s some 30 years ago out of dire necessity, I’ve been lost ever since, and goodness knows I’ve tried.  From conventional to stat’s, and everything in between, nothing has filled the void.  I even built an Altec 604 based system at great expense, but it just wasn’t for me.

I still can’t accommodate the size of the Model 19’s, and Model 14’s are not on my list because I chose the 19’s over them when I bought the 19’s new.  With that said, I’m wondering if a speaker like the Volti Razz would get me close?  Or perhaps something from the Klipsch Heritage Series, like the Cornwall?

For years, I lusted after a pair of Avantegarde Uno’s, but after hearing them a few years ago, I just wasn’t impressed, not to mention the price point. A buddy of mine told me to check the cost of the drivers in the Klipsch, and I was absolutely shocked how inexpensive they are, so they’re not really a consideration unless I hear otherwise.  I just don’t understand how they can justify the price point of the new Cornwall when the drivers are so inexpensive.

I realize only another pair of Model 19's can replace them, but are there any other speakers in the $5K range, new or pre-owned, that can bring back some of that Altec Model 19 magic? 

seadweller

Showing 1 response by whart

whart's avatar
whart
3,143 posts
 

One speaker that you might explore is the Pure Audio Project Trio. It has a pretty dominating appearance, is open baffle, can be set up with a variety of midrange drivers, upgrades, etc. Apparently very efficient though may be a little bass shy. Since they apparently sell direct, you either need to find someone in your area who already has them, or pay the tariff for home trial (they actually have it set up for you to "rent" them initially- I don't know if they will apply that toward purchase). 

I understand your dilemma and you could easily discount what I offered above for two reasons: I've never heard them, but was intrigued (though they have a bit of an IKEA vibe, apparently have satisfied customers) and I am an Avantgarde owner (Duos) who has considered going to a vintage horn system (now put off since I've started to get back into motorsports after a 20 year hiatus). The Duos were almost impossible to get "right" until I: added big subs and DSP'd them, recalibrated the integrated woofer so it seamlessly mates with the horns (that's the tough part of these, aside from the price of newer models which is considerable) and made a serious change in phono cartridges to give me the bass dimensionality and texture I felt was lacking. As one boutique manufacturer said, "well, you have a lot of expensive equipment." Yeah, but that's not the goal. 

I was a stat listener for decades. I started with the Quad Loudspeaker in 1974 and still have my original pair, refurbished, in a vintage system. I also had Crosby Quads which were, overall, a better speaker, but lacked the midrange magic of the original Quad, despite its severe limitations. And I gave up a long time ago trying to mate subs (and ribbon tweets) with the '57. 

When I switched to the AG Duo, it only really started to make magic with an SET amp but even then, bass was limited or discontinuous, depending on where the integrated woofer (not really a subwoofer) was dialed.

I throw the first paragraph out at you as an under the radar possibility. They are somewhat over your budget new. And I have no idea what the availability of used pairs is, let alone shipping costs. 

 

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