Altec 893B

[doctorbongo]

Picked up a pair of Altec Lansing 893B at the Mennonite thrift today for $10.
No problems visually with the drivers, but have yet to hook them up.
I will try them on my main system first, but keep the volume way down, then on the sweetsounding Curtis Mathes 60wpc sleeper receiver.

Nice looking two ways, and other than one small surficial scratch atop one, the oiled walnut cabinets and grilles are in showroom condition, which is amazing considering the vintage, if they are in fact from the 70s. They are made in USA, so that makes that manufacture period more likely. Just as the Wharfedales I got a few months back were my first from that manufacturer, these are my first Altecs. I read in a "foreign to ST" posting that these are extremely efficient, and don't need more than about 25 watts. 10-inch woofer and tweeter.

Anybody have them, or something similar in the Altec Lansing line?

Info will be appreciated.

[bowtie427ss]

Sounds like the "Corona" model. Definitely early 70's manufacture, i have a pair down in the cave awaiting cosmetic rehab. Sadly, without running down and uncovering them i can't recall if they're the "A" or "B" designation, or what the difference might be.

They should be on par with other modest 2 way IB systems of the same vintage.

[doctorbongo]

yes, they are Coronas, Bowtie.

Wired them to my main system, and I guess I would deem them decent.
They are very flat and true. Never make you say "wow" or "ow."
They would be ideal for a small area where you weren't looking for
a lot of sound, just nice clean sound. I'm playing with the high-frequency control now, toggling between plus and minus 3db. The nice thing about this set is they
are in fabulous cosmetic shape. One of these days I will do a comparison between these and the at least half dozen other sets of similar sized bookshelf speakers.

[bowtie427ss]

Excellent Dr. Bongo!

I briefly scoped mine last night, they're 893A's.

I'll post a pic later, might be interesting to see if we can determine any difference between the "A" and "B" versions.

[doctorbongo]

I shall do the same, Senor Bowtie.

These really are a gorgeous piece of furniture,
with muted grille fabric by the standards of that period,
and nice beveling around the front panel.
I just examined them, and I'm about certain they are solid walnut,
not just veneer over fiberboard.
But I have a thing for wood.

{insert rude comments here}