some comments on the 403A OB from the LS gentleman:
ichabod wrote:... I'm spoiled over what I'm hearing now from these altec 403As. The midrange rivals the LS 3/5a, only that it gets clearer and bigger even. Truth to tell, I'm getting the same hearing impression on the 403As regarding its ability to give a layered sound into the treble region that's like the LS....
ichabod wrote:... Amazing! For someone who's had a foretaste of the OBs and them altecs, who won't get excited!
So last nght I had a long intimate romance with these "quad 57" looking monoliths. The comparison does not stop there. I hear a wide open window of sound. Easy going. The highs takes a calmer presentation without tweeters. That's what I noticed. One good point I guess going single drivers. But more than that. The presentation, the mids specially, have a clarity that does not shout at you despite the fact I was driving them with a stromberg carlson pp amp using two 6DY7s power tubes driven by 6u8s. For sure, the altecs obliged me with the illusion that the Nat King Cole Jazz Trio was in my room. I like these altecs and OBs specially on classical pieces. They don't lord it over your ears. Suave, gentle, and graceful with a very subtle way of presenting the layers of musicians and their music. For Nat, I can even turn my back to the speakers and keep the illusion that he's just behind. I remember Arnold saying Rey Valera was in his room. I heard that, and believed his claim. Well, Nat was in mine!