I would never say the 4675 is better than the Altec stuff but I would say it is different and definately has it's applications. The 4675 was designed to go into modern theatres whereas the Altec stuff was designed to go into a barn with balconies and 100'+ throws. Oh and the Altec practically runs on solar power. Compare the Altec A-4 to the 4675...the A-4 is a 108dB/1-watt speaker...the 4675 is 100dB...using Kitchen physics/math call it a 9 dB difference for ease...say the A-4 tops out at 300 watts using the standard drivers...the 4675 would need 2400 watts to equal it's output...whereas it can only handle 1200 watts using it's mighty 2226 drivers. Plunk in the 515-16GHP dirvers and you are up to a 800 watt cabinet...the 4675 would need 6400 watts! Again these are approximate numbers and a bit biased for the Alec (it is only 8 dB more sensitive, not 9)
On another thread awhile ago, I actually ran the numbers on the A-7 and possibly the A-5 if used today in digital applications. The real limiting factor in the A-7 is the weak HF driver (800/900 series driver).
I remember going to one of the shows when EAW rolled out it's latest 3-way speaker for cinema (it is the current one) and hearing about it's asymentrical midrange horn...and such...I responded..."so you reinvented the A-5?...right down to the horn shape. In fact most of the 3-ways out today are little more than 3-way versions of what Altec accomplished with 2-way systems. In fact, put some base-wings on an A-5 and watch the response go down to 40Hz.
Wanna talk about Constant Directivity HF horns? I've heard nobody's compare favorably to a Mantaray (MR-94, MR-64 or MRII594A). The response is dead flat and even anywhere within the coverage of the horn. Of course, when most people in this business picture an Altec speaker, they picture the Multi-cell...which, in it's day, did fine for filling a barn with sound on 5-10 watts.
For those that want to see an A-5 with a large format MR-94 mantaray horn, check out the Lyric theatre in the gallery here.
When I look at the "new" 3-way systems that are out today...I think...the more things change, the more they stay the same.
As to the 4675...since JBL recently redesigned the 2360 horn to the new assembly nightmare, and the cabinet is used in several speaker systems, not to mention the system uses some staple JBL drivers....I think it is still pretty safe. Of course, the best way to keep something in production is to BUY it!
Steve
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"Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"
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posted 06-29-2002 10:03 AM
. yeah, those Altec have incredible sensitivity. 8dB is like twice as loud to the ears.
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