System with Altec 604-8G drivers
- Thread starter malvai
- Start date
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square_wave
Well-Known Member
Re: Altec 604 8G drivers....Rocking Now..!!!
Hey Manav,
What is the size of your listening room ? In feet..
Thanks,
Square..
Hey Manav,
What is the size of your listening room ? In feet..
Thanks,
Square..
hifiashok
Well-Known Member
Re: Altec 604 8G drivers....Rocking Now..!!!
Manavji, it was a pleasure after a long, long time meeting up. Thanx for your patience and kindness despite our being delayed (as is this post vis-a-vis Saturday). I know you would have had a earful when you eventually reached CyberHub for your dinner date.
One of the magic words that clinched my wanting to make it was these were Kanwarji's o/p. I normally would not let up an opportunity like this, though it was a working day for me, traffic from Delhi to Gurgaon being what it is at that time notwithstanding.
Yes, the Altecs, interesting looking and designed drivers (purely in the looks deptt.).
But I guess we did get a good 45-60 minutes with them.
I agree with Kamalji's observation, the speakers certainly sound very smooth but need more breaking-in. That said, they will eventually shine.
Being one for airy highs (prejudiced, possibly owing to the ESLs) and deep-kicking lows (prejudiced, possibly owing to Kanwarji's Avepa), the NOS/mint condition of the drivers may have caused a slight roll-off on both ends. But the midrange was nice, smooth, detailed and effortless.
The CDs we carried (and played) were as follows:-
1. Kalpana Zokarkar - Hidden Gems, Mystica Music
The first song tells me all I need to know in most systems.
On the Altecs, her excellent voice shone through. The tabla too.
However, I missed some depth with the rest of the presentation.
2. Sarah McLachlan - Rarities, B-Sides and Other Stuff Volume 2
Again, the first song, the sheer presence and warmth that a good system can demonstrate, is all one needs for a confirmatory. This came through.
3. Jagjit Singh & Chitra Singh - The Unforgettables, SaReGaMa/RPG
I look for the rasp and grainy quality in Jagjitji's 'Baat niklegi to door talak'. I also look at how smooth Chitraji's 'Raat bhi neend bhi, kahani bhi' sounds vis-a-vis shrill/hurtful.
These were win-win!
4. Maxim - The Piano Player, EMI/Virgin
Flight of the bumble bee and Exodus allows a check on dynamic range and harmonics for more current generation music interpretations, albeit on classics.
These handled his music very well.
The speakers are ATLs with active XO, Class AD built in amplification with the 15" Altec co-ax drivers. The cabinets are teak, built solidly (I have always loved Kanwarji's Nawashahar cabinet-work team). I would have given even more numbers if the front was a single baffle/block/plank; brings out the rich grain. The vote's out on whether to polish (glossy/matte) or not, but to each his own. The detailing was also interesting, other than the rounding-off of the sides and pointy-edges. The driver also seemed to have Kanwarji's signature touch-ups (pl. correct me if not), for longevity, etc. I would have liked to understand more on the speaker legs/footers, but could not. If these are adjustable and allow for some vibration management, would be great. Also, since these would be heavy. These are bottom firing, with obviously ample cubic capacity to allow the Altecs to sing and dig-deep. On first impressions, it was Phil Collins and since there were two seats in the room, I was standing; the speakers disappeared, leaving a deep and broad sound-stage instead! This was in-spite of the room being of modest dimensions (12x10) for a driver implementation of this size (there are foam bass-traps in the rear corners).
After 'Resurrection', this would be a delight. But, I would suggest you wait for a month and then decide. The highs should be better on the Resurrection whereas LF should in the Altecs (though maybe not as fast).
Tapanji, Panditji, Harry and Kartick, nice meeting up!
Looking forward to a vinyl session by the time the drivers open-out and settle in. Manav has a museum of it (sheer number and choice)! Along with chilled beer, icing
!!!
Manavji, it was a pleasure after a long, long time meeting up. Thanx for your patience and kindness despite our being delayed (as is this post vis-a-vis Saturday). I know you would have had a earful when you eventually reached CyberHub for your dinner date.
One of the magic words that clinched my wanting to make it was these were Kanwarji's o/p. I normally would not let up an opportunity like this, though it was a working day for me, traffic from Delhi to Gurgaon being what it is at that time notwithstanding.
Yes, the Altecs, interesting looking and designed drivers (purely in the looks deptt.).
But I guess we did get a good 45-60 minutes with them.
I agree with Kamalji's observation, the speakers certainly sound very smooth but need more breaking-in. That said, they will eventually shine.
Being one for airy highs (prejudiced, possibly owing to the ESLs) and deep-kicking lows (prejudiced, possibly owing to Kanwarji's Avepa), the NOS/mint condition of the drivers may have caused a slight roll-off on both ends. But the midrange was nice, smooth, detailed and effortless.
The CDs we carried (and played) were as follows:-
1. Kalpana Zokarkar - Hidden Gems, Mystica Music
The first song tells me all I need to know in most systems.
On the Altecs, her excellent voice shone through. The tabla too.
However, I missed some depth with the rest of the presentation.
2. Sarah McLachlan - Rarities, B-Sides and Other Stuff Volume 2
Again, the first song, the sheer presence and warmth that a good system can demonstrate, is all one needs for a confirmatory. This came through.
3. Jagjit Singh & Chitra Singh - The Unforgettables, SaReGaMa/RPG
I look for the rasp and grainy quality in Jagjitji's 'Baat niklegi to door talak'. I also look at how smooth Chitraji's 'Raat bhi neend bhi, kahani bhi' sounds vis-a-vis shrill/hurtful.
These were win-win!
4. Maxim - The Piano Player, EMI/Virgin
Flight of the bumble bee and Exodus allows a check on dynamic range and harmonics for more current generation music interpretations, albeit on classics.
These handled his music very well.
The speakers are ATLs with active XO, Class AD built in amplification with the 15" Altec co-ax drivers. The cabinets are teak, built solidly (I have always loved Kanwarji's Nawashahar cabinet-work team). I would have given even more numbers if the front was a single baffle/block/plank; brings out the rich grain. The vote's out on whether to polish (glossy/matte) or not, but to each his own. The detailing was also interesting, other than the rounding-off of the sides and pointy-edges. The driver also seemed to have Kanwarji's signature touch-ups (pl. correct me if not), for longevity, etc. I would have liked to understand more on the speaker legs/footers, but could not. If these are adjustable and allow for some vibration management, would be great. Also, since these would be heavy. These are bottom firing, with obviously ample cubic capacity to allow the Altecs to sing and dig-deep. On first impressions, it was Phil Collins and since there were two seats in the room, I was standing; the speakers disappeared, leaving a deep and broad sound-stage instead! This was in-spite of the room being of modest dimensions (12x10) for a driver implementation of this size (there are foam bass-traps in the rear corners).
After 'Resurrection', this would be a delight. But, I would suggest you wait for a month and then decide. The highs should be better on the Resurrection whereas LF should in the Altecs (though maybe not as fast).
Tapanji, Panditji, Harry and Kartick, nice meeting up!
Looking forward to a vinyl session by the time the drivers open-out and settle in. Manav has a museum of it (sheer number and choice)! Along with chilled beer, icing
!!!Re: Altec 604 8G drivers....Rocking Now..!!!
Thank You Ashok Ji....
The reason for not using large plank was due to the fact that large plank in such a large baffle adds up to cabinet resonance around 2250Hz, in case of single teak plank. Therefore i decided to go with STACKED configuration of small batons of teak in variation of grain orientation both for mechanical as well as aesthetic purposes. Stacking multiple batons results in cancellation of acoustic resonance of the cabinet. I actually like the asymmetric pattern formed by variation of stacked batons.
The footers are solid steel adjustable type with 'Ball' based isolating dampers with results similar to spikes.
Regards,
Kanwar
Thank You Ashok Ji....
The reason for not using large plank was due to the fact that large plank in such a large baffle adds up to cabinet resonance around 2250Hz, in case of single teak plank. Therefore i decided to go with STACKED configuration of small batons of teak in variation of grain orientation both for mechanical as well as aesthetic purposes. Stacking multiple batons results in cancellation of acoustic resonance of the cabinet. I actually like the asymmetric pattern formed by variation of stacked batons.
The footers are solid steel adjustable type with 'Ball' based isolating dampers with results similar to spikes.
Regards,
Kanwar
Re: Altec 604 8G drivers....Rocking Now..!!!
Interesting. Any reason for this over the usual absorption material method?Thank You Ashok Ji....
The reason for not using large plank was due to the fact that large plank in such a large baffle adds up to cabinet resonance around 2250Hz, in case of single teak plank. Therefore i decided to go with STACKED configuration of small batons of teak in variation of grain orientation both for mechanical as well as aesthetic purposes. Stacking multiple batons results in cancellation of acoustic resonance of the cabinet. I actually like the asymmetric pattern formed by variation of stacked batons.
The footers are solid steel adjustable type with 'Ball' based isolating dampers with results similar to spikes.
Regards,
Kanwar
Re: Altec 604 8G drivers....Rocking Now..!!!
Absorption material is already used in it to absorb excessive internal baffle reflections and ripple effect. You cannot tame the inherent resonance in solid wooden plank triggered around midrange domain. For that the baffle needs to be designed that way, which i have done. Multiple resonances occurring in separate batons with asymmetric orientation actually leads to cancellation to a very large extent. You are left with dead cabinet in that way.
Absorption material is already used in it to absorb excessive internal baffle reflections and ripple effect. You cannot tame the inherent resonance in solid wooden plank triggered around midrange domain. For that the baffle needs to be designed that way, which i have done. Multiple resonances occurring in separate batons with asymmetric orientation actually leads to cancellation to a very large extent. You are left with dead cabinet in that way.
hifiashok
Well-Known Member
Re: Altec 604 8G drivers....Rocking Now..!!!
going this direction, it wud not b long b4 when u'd need an anechoic chamber for final testing and tuning. any thoughts on this?
going this direction, it wud not b long b4 when u'd need an anechoic chamber for final testing and tuning. any thoughts on this?
Re: Altec 604 8G drivers....Rocking Now..!!!
Currently, i don't have access to an anechoic chamber in India. In China we do have for our pro-audio R & D. I usually do the measurements in large open space like fields to minimize effect of reflections for custom builds.
Currently, i don't have access to an anechoic chamber in India. In China we do have for our pro-audio R & D. I usually do the measurements in large open space like fields to minimize effect of reflections for custom builds.
hifiashok
Well-Known Member
Re: Altec 604 8G drivers....Rocking Now..!!!
i am aware of one in pune, but not certain how accessible, from ur perspective. we CAN work on it, though.
i am aware of one in pune, but not certain how accessible, from ur perspective. we CAN work on it, though.
Re: Altec 604 8G drivers....Rocking Now..!!!
Hello Ashok Ji, it was great meeting you and Kamal sir. The idea of Manav's setup along with Vinyl & chilled beer is nothing less than a holiday !! I would also like to be a part of it !! It was an enriching listening session last Saturday !! I am very nascent in the whole hi end audio scene and for me this was the best it ever got. I can not even imagine how better these drivers will sound once properly broken in because for me they nailed every aspect. The fact that they were suited to every genre of music peaks everything else. One tends to forget about the gear and just enjoys the music. Listening to Fleetwood Mac's Rumours was like reinventing the music which I have been listening to since so long.
Manavji, it was a pleasure after a long, long time meeting up. Thanx for your patience and kindness despite our being delayed (as is this post vis-a-vis Saturday). I know you would have had a earful when you eventually reached CyberHub for your dinner date.
One of the magic words that clinched my wanting to make it was these were Kanwarji's o/p. I normally would not let up an opportunity like this, though it was a working day for me, traffic from Delhi to Gurgaon being what it is at that time notwithstanding.
Yes, the Altecs, interesting looking and designed drivers (purely in the looks deptt.).
But I guess we did get a good 45-60 minutes with them.
I agree with Kamalji's observation, the speakers certainly sound very smooth but need more breaking-in. That said, they will eventually shine.
Being one for airy highs (prejudiced, possibly owing to the ESLs) and deep-kicking lows (prejudiced, possibly owing to Kanwarji's Avepa), the NOS/mint condition of the drivers may have caused a slight roll-off on both ends. But the midrange was nice, smooth, detailed and effortless.
The CDs we carried (and played) were as follows:-
1. Kalpana Zokarkar - Hidden Gems, Mystica Music
The first song tells me all I need to know in most systems.
On the Altecs, her excellent voice shone through. The tabla too.
However, I missed some depth with the rest of the presentation.
2. Sarah McLachlan - Rarities, B-Sides and Other Stuff Volume 2
Again, the first song, the sheer presence and warmth that a good system can demonstrate, is all one needs for a confirmatory. This came through.
3. Jagjit Singh & Chitra Singh - The Unforgettables, SaReGaMa/RPG
I look for the rasp and grainy quality in Jagjitji's 'Baat niklegi to door talak'. I also look at how smooth Chitraji's 'Raat bhi neend bhi, kahani bhi' sounds vis-a-vis shrill/hurtful.
These were win-win!
4. Maxim - The Piano Player, EMI/Virgin
Flight of the bumble bee and Exodus allows a check on dynamic range and harmonics for more current generation music interpretations, albeit on classics.
These handled his music very well.
The speakers are ATLs with active XO, Class AD built in amplification with the 15" Altec co-ax drivers. The cabinets are teak, built solidly (I have always loved Kanwarji's Nawashahar cabinet-work team). I would have given even more numbers if the front was a single baffle/block/plank; brings out the rich grain. The vote's out on whether to polish (glossy/matte) or not, but to each his own. The detailing was also interesting, other than the rounding-off of the sides and pointy-edges. The driver also seemed to have Kanwarji's signature touch-ups (pl. correct me if not), for longevity, etc. I would have liked to understand more on the speaker legs/footers, but could not. If these are adjustable and allow for some vibration management, would be great. Also, since these would be heavy. These are bottom firing, with obviously ample cubic capacity to allow the Altecs to sing and dig-deep. On first impressions, it was Phil Collins and since there were two seats in the room, I was standing; the speakers disappeared, leaving a deep and broad sound-stage instead! This was in-spite of the room being of modest dimensions (12x10) for a driver implementation of this size (there are foam bass-traps in the rear corners).
After 'Resurrection', this would be a delight. But, I would suggest you wait for a month and then decide. The highs should be better on the Resurrection whereas LF should in the Altecs (though maybe not as fast).
Tapanji, Panditji, Harry and Kartick, nice meeting up!
Looking forward to a vinyl session by the time the drivers open-out and settle in. Manav has a museum of it (sheer number and choice)! Along with chilled beer, icing
Hello Ashok Ji, it was great meeting you and Kamal sir. The idea of Manav's setup along with Vinyl & chilled beer is nothing less than a holiday !! I would also like to be a part of it !! It was an enriching listening session last Saturday !! I am very nascent in the whole hi end audio scene and for me this was the best it ever got. I can not even imagine how better these drivers will sound once properly broken in because for me they nailed every aspect. The fact that they were suited to every genre of music peaks everything else. One tends to forget about the gear and just enjoys the music. Listening to Fleetwood Mac's Rumours was like reinventing the music which I have been listening to since so long.
Re: Altec 604 8G drivers....Rocking Now..!!!
I think he was pointing towards the excessive goop on Altec cone surround, which comes by default. Yet the cones were given anti-moisture treatment by us as well.
Another modification we did was with the driver mounting in order to damp the vibration from the basket itself. Which was also done in Ashok ji's 21" subwoofer. The driver is not directly coupled with cabinet.
I think he was pointing towards the excessive goop on Altec cone surround, which comes by default.
Yet the cones were given anti-moisture treatment by us as well.Another modification we did was with the driver mounting in order to damp the vibration from the basket itself. Which was also done in Ashok ji's 21" subwoofer. The driver is not directly coupled with cabinet.
Last edited:
GeorgeO
Well-Known Member
Re: Altec 604 8G drivers....Rocking Now..!!!
A photo would help
A photo would help
Re: Altec 604 8G drivers....Rocking Now..!!!
Well those are trade secrets.....Hence cannot reveal them.
Well those are trade secrets.....Hence cannot reveal them.
Last edited:
hifiashok
Well-Known Member
Re: Altec 604 8G drivers....Rocking Now..!!!
krekt haigeee!
Another modification we did was with the driver mounting in order to damp the vibration from the basket itself. Which was also done in Ashok ji's 21" subwoofer. The driver is not directly coupled with cabinet.
krekt haigeee!
Last edited by a moderator:
Re: Altec 604 8G drivers....Rocking Now..!!!
Hi Kanwar
I am curious. Wouldnt applying any anti moisture treatment involve spraying something on the cones? Wouldnt that change the thickness of the cone material as well as its stiffness, and thereby the specs?
Hi Kanwar
I am curious. Wouldnt applying any anti moisture treatment involve spraying something on the cones? Wouldnt that change the thickness of the cone material as well as its stiffness, and thereby the specs?
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