811 VS 511 horns

[quindecima]

Gentlemen,

I have a pair of 511 horns that I am thinking of utilizing in another speaker project. I would like to get a few opinions of nearfield listning using the 511's as opposed to the 811's. I will be using the 515b woofs. I have an opinion from another forum member but never having heard the 511's myself I need all the input I can get. I don't want to make an expensive mistake.

[Tom Brennan]

I doubt one would hear a difference if both were crossed at 800 or above. If crossing at 500 with a 511 vs. crossing at 800 with an 811 the difference in sound (which is somewhat subtle) is due more to the range from 500 to 800 being reproduced by a compression driver rather than a woofer than to any difference between the 511 and 811 themselves.

Of course being bigger the 511 looks cooler. ;-)

[Chas]

Gentlemen,

I have a pair of 511 horns that I am thinking of utilizing in another speaker project. I would like to get a few opinions of nearfield listning using the 511's as opposed to the 811's. I will be using the 515b woofs. I have an opinion from another forum member but never having heard the 511's myself I need all the input I can get. I don't want to make an expensive mistake.

I have spent a lot of time with both and always preferred the 511, crossed over as high as possible. the 811 was irritating to my ears.
Good luck

[Mr. Widget]

I have spent a lot of time with both and always preferred the 511, crossed over as high as possible. the 811 was irritating to my ears.
Good luckI concur. While in the past I did have both I never compared them, but with other horns I have found that one of the greatest contributors to an offensive horn sound is using a horn too close to it's cut off frequency.

While the 811B was called an 800Hz horn, Altec crossed it over at 1200Hz in the Model 19. Taking the 15" woofer up to 1200Hz was a compromise, but I guess they felt taking that horn down to 800Hz was a bigger compromise.

I'd guess they would have used the 511B, but marketing considerations forced them to use the smaller horn... pure speculation, but it would seem logical since as we have heard from the experts ;), the biggest drawback to the Model 19 is it's large size.


Widget

[Shane Shuster]

I would keep the 511Bs and crossover lower to the 515B's. I understand the thinking on the model 19s but you are left with a speaker thats not really dynamic when you move the crossover that high. Even with the higher xover you will still have some horn colorations and beaming. They are kind of like duplexes in that they are not really "hi-fi" and not really dynamic.

I used mine nearfield. I made the bass cabinet as wide as the 511B and put the woofer close to the top. The 511b was mounted on top and the center was at ear height. I liked the 500hz 2nd order crossover the best.

[Art J.]

I always thought the advantage of the 511b crossed at 500hz was to keep
the associated problems of a crossover out of the critical voice band. Some
care about that, others don't. Crossing at 1200hz still has me scratching
my head, but they must have had good reason under different criteria.

[quindecima]

I always thought the advantage of the 511b crossed at 500hz was to keep
the associated problems of a crossover out of the critical voice band. Some
care about that, others don't. Crossing at 1200hz still has me scratching
my head, but they must have had good reason under different criteria.

My idea was to use the 501-8a xo???????

[Mr. Widget]

I always thought the advantage of the 511b crossed at 500hz was to keep
the associated problems of a crossover out of the critical voice band. Some
care about that, others don't. Crossing at 1200hz still has me scratching
my head, but they must have had good reason under different criteria.The 1200Hz crossover is what the Model 19 uses... with the 811b.
My idea was to use the 501-8a xo???????Sure why not.


Widget

[quindecima]

The 1200Hz crossover is what the Model 19 uses... with the 811b.Sure why not.


Widget
What would really be nice would be to find a pair of N8500-8a's.

[Gary L]

I have an opinion from another forum member but never having heard the 511's myself I need all the input I can get.

I am Guilty as charged! But not completely!

I said, " I think if you build the 515/511B combination and use them in your living room I think the 416/811b at the 1200Hz X point will win the contest.
Just my opinion but I have heard both and know for sure I like the 19 sound better in the nearfield stage.

Keep in mind you need a mighty big cabinet to fit 511s inside. Think with the driver you will be close to 27" deep.

I do like the idea of crossing at lower points and would love to experiment myself with this based on what some have said in this and other similar threads.

I am waiting for reports from a few members with active XOs that are easily changable.

I also think the 511b horn is a bit more dynamic but then you have to consider its depth for in home use. I think it is 18.5" for the 811B Vs 23.5" for the 511B without drivers. Correct me here if I am wrong, don't have the numbers at my fingertips.
That is a very large box in just about any livingroom IMHO!

Gary

[louped garouv]

Just my opinion but I have heard both and know for sure I like the 19 sound better in the nearfield stage.



and i like the A7s @ 800Hz better than the M19s @ 1200Hz (tests used 802G drivers)..... tried swapping the 515B/416B to see if it was the woofer itself... but came to the conclusion that I like the VOTT style box better than the M19 reflex... in a home use application


cabinets are big though at about 30" wide by a bit over 7' tall (with the horn on top)....