Few loudspeakers have such mid-century appeal, and even fewer have the performance characteristics of the Altec 838a Carmel. This is complete, stunning restoration that considered every aspect of the design.
- RESTORATIONS
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- Full 30-point service check
- Recapped with Mundorf Evo oil caps
- Rewired internally with 18-gauge silver over oxygen-free copper
- Fully redesigned crossover with charge-coupled capacitors on the horn to reduce mechanical resonances and harshness
- Installed L-pads to attenuate the horn volume
- Installed Cardas solid copper 5-way binding posts
- Cabinets meticulously refinished
- Reclothed with an acoustically transparent cloth with a cane-line weave
- Complete frequency sweep
- Detailed
- SPECS
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Type Floorstanding loudspeaker (2-way, 3 Speaker system in bass reflex cabinet)
Frequency Response 30 - 22,000Hz
Sensitivity 100dB
Impedance 16Ω
Woofer 2x 414Z 12" paper cone
HF Driver 804A compression driver
Horn 811B sectoral horn
Network Custom design with charged capacitors, based on original N800F crossover points
Crossover point 800Hz
Dimensions 35"W X 30.25" X 18"D
Weight approx. 120+ lbs. ea.
- LINER NOTES
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The Altec 838A "Carmel" embodies the perfect balance of size, appearance, and audio quality to please the most discriminating professional user both visually and acoustically. The midrange, or presence, region of the Carmel system is particularly fine – the overall effect is of extreme naturalness. A very distinct "feeling" of the actual performance as it is being monitored through the engineer's control room or in the studio.
