Altec 904-8A
- Thread starter ranjeetrain
- Start date
srinisundar
Well-Known Member
In audio there will be rage if somebody writes great about those...I dont think so everybody will like Altec's or tannoy. It take some time to accept the sound it produce. It is not an one day affair to settle like the box speakers on the market.
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ranjeetrain
New Member
srinisundar
Well-Known Member
Good and nice open comment. Yes it is evident everybody will not like Altec sound... So people getting into Altec blindly be careful. 
For myself? Nah... After listening to two altec systems, I can spend my money better somewhere else.
square_wave
Well-Known Member
For myself? Nah... After listening to two altec systems, I can spend my money better somewhere else.
Hey Manoje,
Is this comment in the context of a 2 channel system ? If so, what is an alternative in this price point ?
Blasto, it's is the same Altec, but actually isn't!!
What I mean is that it's Altec prior to it being sold to Harmon Kardon.
Altec got sold to JBL. Which eventually got sold to Harmon.
The moment that happened, both brands went down the drain. Such is the fate of specialist brands that get bought over by large corporates with purely commercial interests.
What I mean is that it's Altec prior to it being sold to Harmon Kardon.
Altec got sold to JBL. Which eventually got sold to Harmon.
The moment that happened, both brands went down the drain. Such is the fate of specialist brands that get bought over by large corporates with purely commercial interests.
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Square_wave,
yes, this comment is in context of a 2 channel system. I heard two Altec systems, both had AlNico drivers. One was VOTT and another was Model 15 with compression driver upgraded to that of Model 19. These systems are owned by an ex employee of Altec.
As for the suggestions - It depends on the taste. If someone is into vintage drivers, that's the ultimate thing for them. Having said that, If I were to have hint of vintage sound but with better quality overall, I would go for JBL 4311 studio monitor series. Consumer versions are JBL Century L100. These use the modern (well, more modern than vintage altecs) drivers and have titanium tweeters. Those go high and do not sound honky. If I want flatter response, then the next model - JBL 4410/4412 series do very well. The consumer version for these is L80T, I believe.
square_wave
Well-Known Member
Thanks Manoje. Much appreciated.
The JBL 4311 is a multi driver conventional speaker. I am sure this speaker will sound great but wont we be comparing oranges to apples since the approach and presentation of music will be very different. Dont these speakers appeal to completely different tastes ?
Square Wave,
every speaker is different sounding. Even different models from the same company sound different. Every buyer will choose the speaker based on what they like and what they can afford. So, yes the Altec and JBL are different sounding. But I like JBL precisely because its not sounding like the Altec that I heard.
every speaker is different sounding. Even different models from the same company sound different. Every buyer will choose the speaker based on what they like and what they can afford. So, yes the Altec and JBL are different sounding. But I like JBL precisely because its not sounding like the Altec that I heard.
ghatgepatil
Active Member
Very very ruthlessly put!But I like JBL precisely because its not sounding like the Altec that I heard.
square_wave
Well-Known Member
Square Wave,
every speaker is different sounding. Even different models from the same company sound different. Every buyer will choose the speaker based on what they like and what they can afford. So, yes the Altec and JBL are different sounding. But I like JBL precisely because its not sounding like the Altec that I heard.
Got it..Thanks.
It is just that a comparison between speakers of similar genre / family makes more sense to me.
For example, a comparison between a single driver full range vs a multi driver bookshelf does not make sense because both are created keeping mind a specific design metric that satisfies a specific need.
Another example : Does it make sense to seek advice on single driver full range speakers to a guy who cannot stand them ?
Both the Altec systems were 2 way. So the comparison is not that out of context.
Besides, when we evaluate speaker, we tend to observe few thing. Like Bass, mid-bass, High frequencies, how detailed/warm the speaker is, if it's boomy/muffled, does it have wide soundstage, solid center image, dispersion, if it sounds smooth and not tiring. These are the criteria to evaluate the speaker and the components/brand of the speakers is immaterial. As a listener, these things matter to me, irrespective of where that speaker comes from.
And, for the record, I don't have anything against a single driver system or Altec for that matter. I just stated my observation because I was asked [/I]for it. I am very much interested in a nice co-axial or Synergy type horn which overcomes some of the issues of co-axial drivers.
I understand some people like Altec's very much and that's perfectly fine. But I am not going to jump blindly on some system because it's the "flavor of the month" It has to meet some criteria before I jump on anything.
srinisundar
Well-Known Member
So you are indirectly meaning "Yesterday resurrection" "Today Altec" "Tommorow ?"
I understand some people like Altec's very much and that's perfectly fine. But I am not going to jump blindly on some system because it's the "flavor of the month" It has to meet some criteria before I jump on anything.
square_wave
Well-Known Member
Both the Altec systems were 2 way. So the comparison is not that out of context.
Besides, when we evaluate speaker, we tend to observe few thing. Like Bass, mid-bass, High frequencies, how detailed/warm the speaker is, if it's boomy/muffled, does it have wide soundstage, solid center image, dispersion, if it sounds smooth and not tiring. These are the criteria to evaluate the speaker and the components/brand of the speakers is immaterial. As a listener, these things matter to me, irrespective of where that speaker comes from.
And, for the record, I don't have anything against a single driver system or Altec for that matter. I just stated my observation because I was asked [/I]for it. I am very much interested in a nice co-axial or Synergy type horn which overcomes some of the issues of co-axial drivers.
I understand some people like Altec's very much and that's perfectly fine. But I am not going to jump blindly on some system because it's the "flavor of the month" It has to meet some criteria before I jump on anything.
Got it..
I firmly believe that there are pros and cons with all approaches. Usually what one likes is dependent upon what one values most and what negatives one is okay to live with. Kinda like women..
For example a multi driver speaker that upholds many of the values you talk about may have problems which another listener cannot stand hence chooses a different path.
This is the reason why comparisons across genres are meaningless.
So you are indirectly meaning "Yesterday resurrection" "Today Altec" "Tommorow ?"
I think he means more like: since everyone's getting a pair, so should I - even if I get it in junk condition and don't know what I am doing with them...
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GeorgeO
Well-Known Member
Different flavours for different folks. I guess in someways it's like food-some people prefer some cuisines and others like others!
Order now for just ₹19,990.00
