@seadweller If you want Horn Based speakers why not reach out to DIYSoundGroup and ask them to make a fully furnished.
Contact - DIY Sound Group Contact
and ask about their Titan-815LX
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?
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@seadweller Wrote:
JBL 4430's Mike |
Not even close to the same size, Altec 19 is 30x39x21, 24,570 cubic inches, and Speakerlab 7 is 29x17x15, 7395 cubic inches. I know, I have owned both. And if you have the itch, agreed seek out the 19s. But I will relate a little story. I have been hankering for a set of Cornwalls, having owned a couple of sets in the past. Last weekend I went to buy another pair and upon listening to them I thought, "What the hell was I thinking?", and predictably passed. So tastes change, times change. As Thomas Hardy said, "You Can't Go Home Again." But there is nothing wrong with trying. |
Horns like the JBL SRX835 should be in your budget, approx 4k/pair. https://jblpro.com/en-US/products/srx835 PA drivers and tech have advanced a lot since the days of Altec, if you go with higher end PA. I have some Pioneer PA that kick some serious butt, but, might be well above what you are willing to spend. Also, take a look at Meyer Sound... above your budget, but, worth a listen as a point of reference.
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I agree with you in a general sense about not being able to go home again, but I understand the OP's desire to go back to horns. I currently have a set of direct radiating cone speakers that I like more than any I have ever owned, but I still miss the horn type presentation that is so immediate and just pours into the room with a special type of presence. |
I don’t think anybody makes a modern woofer with parameters rivaling those of the Altec 416-8b and 416-8z, so it is rare to find an equivalent speaker today that offers a combination of efficiency and low-end extension similar to that of the Model 19. Here’s why (as described to me by a veteran prosound loudspeaker engineer): The doping compound Altec used on their accordion surrounds had a unique combination of attributes which allowed an exceptionally high compliance, BUT it was toxic in its liquid state and gave off toxic fumes as it cured. My understanding is that it would be illegal today. Unfortunately modern non-toxic surround doping compounds simply do not rival its combination of attributes. On the other hand horn design has progressed considerably, and compression driver design has progressed, and some modern prosound or prosound-style woofers outperform the Altec woofers in areas other than their combination of efficiency and low-end extension. Duke horn speaker manufacturer who wishes he could build the modern counterpart of the Model 19 |
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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Just make a refrigerator sized cabinet and you’ll get your combination of efficiency and extension, or put a sub at the right spot (which would execute better)...that’s not the point....Modern high end PA has attributes that old altecs didn’t quite get to...holographia, slam, whatever for days..watch some big meyer bluehorn disappear like a piece of cake and let me know when the altec did something close....
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@viridian Thank you for clarifying the difference between the Altec 19’s and the Speaker Lab 7's. The author of the quote is Thomas Wolfe - not Hardy. |
Thanks everyone for the input!!! Another pair of 19’s is out of the question unfortunately. I’ve had a number of opportunities to buy a pair, but they just won’t work in our home (WAF). Interesting about the doping compound. I assume if you had to get the woofers re-coned, they won’t be the the same. I wonder how much that changes the original sound overall? I’ll look into the speakers mentioned. I’ve been curious about a PA system as well. Myer Sound and Westlake Audio make some magnificent speakers, but they are way out of my price range. Another pair of speakers I listened to many years ago were the PMC IB-1. Super fast and dynamic, but also out of my price range. They came about as close to horns as any other conventional speaker I’ve heard. |
I'm horn convert, I can say with great assurance my highly modified Klipschorns are end game. Many mods possible with Klipsch Heritage, if mods not your thing, I'd go with Volti's, these more refined than stock Heritage although more recent Heritage production has really upped the game with better horns, drivers, crossover components. |
