Altec 604 Vintage Speaker

What You Need to Know About Altec 604 Speakers

Vintage speaker systems create a unique sound that many collectors and music enthusiasts love. There are a number of vintage speaker systems available to purchase on eBay, including the Altec 604 vintage speakers. The Altec 604 vintage speakers, made in 1944, offered many upgrades from previous Altec speakers.

What are the specs of the Altec 604 vintage speakers?

The Altec 604 vintage speakers are 15-inch speakers that include permanent magnets. The magnets are Alnico V. They have a circumferential phase plug. They have a 60-degree area of horizontal distribution and a 40-degree area of vertical distribution. The Altec 604 vintage speakers also feature an all-paper cone. Its frame is a 15.3-inch cast frame. It features a rear mount with a black finish. There is a 60-cycle low-frequency cutoff speaker mounted in the cabinet. There is also an above audibility high-frequency cutoff speaker. Other notable specs are as follows:

  • Free air resonance: 38Hz
  • Response: 60Hz-16kHz
  • Crossover: 2000Hz
  • Network: N-2000-A (also, N-2000-B) - series filter networks
  • Network input impedance: 20 ohms
What special features do Altec 604 vintage speakers have?

The Altec 604 vintage speaker utilizes high-frequency horn construction. Rectangular aluminum wire winds around the voice coil. The voice coil operates in a high flux density magnetic field. This permanent magnet was a new addition to Altec 604 vintage speakers at the time Altec manufactured them. The diaphragm is an aluminum alloy and boasts fast transmission speeds. The use of low- and high-frequency speakers creates a high-quality sound. Altec 604 vintage speakers originally sold in attractive cabinets that accentuated the sounds.

What should you look for when purchasing these speakers?

Depending on your level of expertise in vintage sounds equipment, you may have different priorities when it comes to purchasing Altec 604 vintage speakers. If you are new to vintage speakers, look for Altec 604 vintage speakers that come with a cabinet and other original equipment such as wiring. That will help you to get started with your vintage speaker collection easily since you will be able to hook them up and play them. If you have a better knowledge of repairing speakers, however, you can find speakers that are missing the cone or diaphragm and replace them to have a working speaker. You can also purchase speakers that do not have a cabinet and build one. Items needed to repair Altec 604 vintage speakers or build a cabinet are available for purchase on eBay as well. You can also purchase the necessary wiring separately on eBay.