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Altec A7 What to do

Hello all, a Friend of mine has had Altec Lansing A7's sitting in his basement for several years, just couldn't put them in his current room setting. Many may know that I've been building for about 35 years. I built him a set of MTM's and delivered them for Christmas. He was thrilled. Well, today, he dropped off a pair of A7's and said they're yours. I sat them up and listened, thoroughly looked them over, looked up crossover design (500hz model) and now need to decide what to do with them. I have a decent size living room, but these are still huge. They do a lot of things right, but just aren't as refined as my current speakers. So, I've decided to sell them. I'm in no hurry to do so, but I know that I won't keep these forever. So, are these more desirable to sell as is... stock, upgrade parts in the crossover and sell them, redesign and trick out the crossover, cleanup, sand, minor fill and painting cabinets or some combination of the above. I have no doubt that a complete crossover redo, a bit of cabinet bracing and a good refinish and these babies would be incredible. The problem is... will people that don't know me accept or trust just how good they are? That being the case I'm looking for some advice. Please tell me how you would handle it in my shoes. Tim
timlub
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islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
That would be hard to decide. I'm the curious sort myself, I afraid I'd have to find out just how good they could be.

I did just that with a pair of ca 1975 Tannoy HPD 315 Dual Concentrics (raw 12" drivers), and they are incredible. You'll never know until, or if, you try.

I'm saying this without any knowledge of the Altec A7's, so take what I've said with the appropriate amount of salt.

I would be interested to hear what others will say.

Regards,
Dan
timlub OP
2,041 posts
 
Thanks Dan, I'm inclined to do a simple re cap with high quality parts, then brace and refinish the cabinets... original finish was a gray paint. I may paint or even veneer them. Then the horn could really use to be damped, pondering how to do that attractively. Still wonder if its all worth my time.
gvasale's avatar
gvasale
99 posts
 
keep 'em. Get over how much floor space they take up.

I have similar sized speakers stuffed with Altec parts, just like the A7. But with a 13 cubic foot IB enclosure, just with 2 416a woofers.

My listening room is small, about 13x13x8.5.

I enjoy the heck out of them. They don't need much power and with a sizeable map, say 100 wpc or so do a great job on all kinds of music.

I do have mine bi-amped and have a home made passive crossover, coils made practicly out of unobtanium today.

They could be duplicated.

That much power with a system in the 100db/1 watt/meter is extremely dynamic. But they can be blown, your ears will burn at the same time.

Some people may say the range is too restricted, but I say listen to them first.
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