Altec "Big Red" Studio Monitors

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Has anybody ever heard these? What's the deal? What do these sound like and what are they?? I've got an opportunity to purchase a pair. I assume these are foor wall mounting? If these are mounted near the ceiling in a standard listening room, what does that do to the soundstage?? Would they be better off on stands? Any info on these bad dogs would be appreciated.

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Another photo:

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And another:

[Steve Hoffman]

Of course I've heard them; for 20 years at least. Nothing above 12k. Punchy but not lifelike for orchestras. The typical studio monitor but I wouldn't use them at home I don't think. They don't reproduce delicate sounds worth a darn.

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Thanks Steve. This is good to know. You saved me from making an expensive mistake!

[Steve Hoffman]

How much $$, Prix?

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$1500

[Steve Hoffman]

Hmmm. Not cheap, but not too bad, if the speakers don't need to be re-coned.

Problem with old studio monitors is that you don't know how badly they have been abused over the years.

I had a pair of Altecs in my house for awhile, and they cooked on the Doors & stuff ('cause most of the USA rock records were mixed on Altecs), but I could only get that one sound and they had no "air" whatsoever. Too big to keep in my room and so I sold them.

I like that sound on certain things, but I guess it all depends on your room situation, your amps and your pocketbook.