Update:
A very nice single Altec 412C. The results came out excellent, with a nice low cone resonance, and a well defined decoupling transition at the biflex point. It’s a nice one.
Here are the photos:
The only blemishes I could find .. a small thin area on one of the frame struts, and the cone has a bit of dust, and few paint specks — so minor you probably can barely see them, even zoomed in.
It will be shipped UPS Ground Insured, with tracking #, which is the fastest and safest for the short journey up the east coast. Packed in a heavy duty double box, guaranteed safe arrival.
one of Altec's best early 1960's 12 inch vintage BiFlex. You've probably seen the 412C Biflex speaker in a multitude of early systems -- the "C" version of Altec's breakthrough 12" full range was introduced in the early 1960s. Thanks to the "C"'s larger accordian edge, Altec was able to enhance excursion, allowing for deeper bass and an overall expanded frequently response, and a lower cone resonance. The HF range was maintained thanks to the flexibility of design and thanks to a special hardened cone cap. This era of 412C strikes a sweet spot of quality control, and old world detail, efficiency of the early 1960s tube era. While essentially the same, in specification, the C version still retained that 1950s style hard paper, enabling speed, all around crisp, clear detailed sound..Excellent for low & medium power tube amplifiers (rated by Altec to deliver 100db at 1meter from only 1 watt!
Overall build quality of early 1960s Altec is quite high.
Finding original 412 Biflex in such nice shape and matched is a rarity; Originally designed for mid power tube amps of the 1960s, they have excellent efficiencies and sweeter mid -- the 412C was often paired with the rare 3000A tweeter -- and will work well with lots of high performance super tweeters, like T35s, 350s, and ribbons too. Most speakers of the later decades, had more exascerbated bass and too much excursion capability -- thus losing the sheer detail these 412C's have! They perform well, to the very extended HF region -- and yet still have a nice low cone resonance, I tested each of these and they were spot on the rated Fs = 37 cyc (see reports in A,B,C,D).
This partucular Altec 412C's came from a rare situation, a very old institutional installation, and were kept beautiful in tightly sealed cabinets, saw very little use, and always in climate control --- All original condition, gently kept many years since their installation 50 years ago.
See exhibit A, for the nice looking cone,
The cone is original, with Altec #s
Has been fully swept, down to 20 cyc -- to 20,000cyc…. and have perfect function, and good & MATCHED sounding on the bench. Excellent response, clean and clear, well centered. They sound very nice on the bench, free air and will perform well on open baffles..
Essentially a totally full range speaker, 12" speaker with lots of clean, powerful mids .... they are some of the most versatile 12 inch drivers you could ever choose....and if you run low powered tube amps. The center surround, activates at around 1000 cycles -- giving that uncommon succulent mid range, and quite nice highs (for a 12"). For a single unified cone, in a 12" driver the Altec 412 series gives an astonishing frequency response ... all with out the problems of crossovers and tweeters.
ORIGINAL CONE, dated , and coded, from 1963.
If you have a nice tube setup, and are searching for high efficiency vintage drivers -- early Biflex are often overlooked and they sound great – and the C version is favored for extended bass while still retaining speed and efficiency. 100% original, perfectly centered, cones and in great condition -- quite scarce. The surrounds are supple, supportave, quick and still tacky --- showing just a little dust and lint from all of those years in the cabinet. Even the the paper of the 412C thinner and harder than later drivers.
Philosophically speaking it's very tough to find a 12 inch driver made by Altec or JBL of the vintage era that covers so many potential applications in the homes of tube oriented, DiY & collector audiophiles. Open baffle would do well, or a sealed ported box for those who want lots of bass. Single ended amps, utilizing low and meduim power tubes would do very well with this.
These early 12" drivers represent a type of product Altec only shortly made ... quickly left past as they moved towards high powered full excursion speakers of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. This era gived the best of both worlds, both detail, sweet midrange, and and quite nice HiFi bass.
They have excellent voicing, and should be great for delicate instruments or if you love silky jazz, or need superior vocals. The edgewound aluminum voice coils and powerful alnico V magnet with a tight gap, and extremely rigid molded cones ensure that these speakers have super detail – more so than many of this era --- just like you would expect from a high-quality, heavy driver of the day.
They will sell quickly. Please seeing my 100%, five star feedback from happy overseas customers.
All speakers are professionally packed in heavy double box with full protection, and shipped out ASAP after payment has been received.
As the more collectors get to hear these and other such pretty & quite useful old drivers --- prices will continue to climb -- -and you'll find them quite useful in your HiFi pursuits.
You won't be disappointed with this one, and it'll be carefully boxed in a double box for super safe delivery. Will be shipped EMS express with full tracking info emailed after payment. Please see my excellent 100% five-star feedback on all vintage audio items. Fast dispatch, excellent safety & communication always.
Your happiness is assured (please see my feedback, both here and at HiFiTown website)
