| “These drivers have nice original, genuine Altec cones from the mid 1960's - both drivers have matched cone numbers #21060 ....this pair, as you can see in exhibit photos, are originals from the 414A era. mid 1960's. Both cones are both are cosmetically ,meechanically and electrically very well matched, and in Good condition. Normal for their age, they have the typical over-applied damepning compound, which after many years has stained the cones with runs and pooling in small areas. This is entirely cosmetic, does not affect sound -- in fact the original compound is in nice shape, both supple and tacky and still serving these cones well -- reducing negative resonances and cleaning up response, it also protects the cones from excursion fatigue. and read well within normal range for 16ohm drivers... DCR for Unit #1 was 11.5 ohms and Unit #2 is an extremely close match at around 12ohms on our calibrated meter. Cosmetics of these Altec cones are excellent (see exhibit B,C) the frames are of the black angular type, The paint is nice, there is a nearly impossible to see glue smudge (see exhibit H) on one units cone, and gasket material has a slight distortion around the edges that will pose no problems at all in future use.” |
A pair of Altec's most useful woofers from the 1960's -- 12 inch driver. These 414 Z' s are a the first generation of 414 A 16vohm without the cosmetic cover. These are from early 1960s, and have the famous Gold paint, and feature the classic curved cast frame that was seen in the early 1950s drivers, and later the first generation of 414 A/B . The 414 A and 16ohm "Z" found excellent famed use in many nice sounding Altec systems all throughout the 1960s .. the Seville, Malibu, Coronodo and Carmel and notably the very nice studio monitors and classic home build-ins of the era, anywhere audiophiles and engineers needed a top quality 12" woofer --- these ere used to master some of the best recordings of the 1960s and 1970s. Altec in fact made it clear ... those who need an equivalent 12" woofer to their top line 416A, should get these, the 12" 414A / Z. Altec did not believe in building "small" drivers, unless they could perform in the league of much larger 15" -- which these can, making them ideal for everything from large dens, to medium and small rooms. They deliver wonderful detailed sound in both 2 and 3 way configurations.
These drivers have nice original, genuine Altec cones from the mid 1960's. As noted both have matched, original cone numbers #21060. This pair, as you can see in exhibit photos, have the typically aged results of vintage over-aplied dampening compound. There are a few stains and runs, nothing too serious and only cosmetic. This does not affect sound. In fact, back in the 1960's & 70s Altec overapplied compound to all of their drivers. The ageless mastic to-this-day protects the cones and cancels resonances, as was the intention, for cleaner bass excursions and response -- it also protects the cones from age and fatigue. Both drivers are cosmetically and mechanically very well matched, and read well within normal range for 16ohm drivers... approx DCR for Unit #1 was 11.5 ohms and Unit #2 is 11.3 making these an extremely close match with one nother, on our calibrated Fluke meter, -- and both were spot on for a Nomimial V.C. rating of 16 ohms... Cosmetics of these are pretty good, with beautiful original frames and decals, just a bith dusty. The cones have a few runs and pooled areas around edge as noted (see Exhibit A,B,C,D). These are original production of the original 16ohm 414A/414Z circa early-mid 1960s.
The cones and speakers play perfectly, well centered, no rubs -- they were swept 20- 20,000 hz, and I heard no problems (study reports in exhibit A,G,H,I). Speakers are excellently matched -- They both sounded nice , with a perfect, matched bench reading of free air resonance reading of 39hz , and a close, less perfect Qts of .35 and .31 respectively. ( perfection in readings is uncommon for for vintage speakers of the era, these readings are amazingly close to Altecs 1960s published specs though). Tested with music, they perform very beautifully to ear.
You've probably seen the 414 A & B as well .. these 414Z (A version) 16ohm speakers are more well known, and were factory installed without labels or magnet tin cover -- for use in they many Altec 2 & 3 way systems of the 1960s. The 414 Z (and A) were excellent performers, thanks to the unsually heavy (over 8lbs) Alnico V magnet's that concentrated 10,000 gauss in the coil gap -- unusally high for any woofer -- and especially a 12". The powerful motor structure of the 414 gave it excellent dampening, for nice bass dynamics. These are fast and efficient woofers, they are not full range -- these will pair excellently with many varieties of high efficiency horns, like the Altec 802 / 811A, w/ 3000A tweeter or Jensen cone mids, Magnavox, JBL 175, and even Electrovoice 8HDs.
These partucular Altec 414's came from clean vintage Altec HiFi cabinet, -- very old original homeowner installation, and were kept beautiful in tightly sealed cabinets, saw very little use -- the cones bear Altec #'s are clean, very old and sound nice.
Check out Exhibit A,B & C -- you'll see what a nice pair this is ....they will perform well and these are perfect for your next 2 or 3-way high efficiency DiY project.
The have 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.
Both coils were near perfectly mathced calibrated DCR and Impedance sweep showed excellent response on both drivers (see included reports in exhibit D,F, G) .
Top-notch function no rattles, no buzzes-- distortion free.
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. The Altec 414Z drivers are very heavy, 32lbs packed in strong double box, bolted face to face.
Give them a try, these are strong performers -- you won't be disappointed if you need good 12" woofer.
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)
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