Altec Crossover Upgrade: Rebuild or Replacement?

[IowaClass65]

I am looking to upgrade the crossovers in my Altec Speakers. As near as I can tell, I have Model 19 drivers (416-8b woofer, 811-8 horn, 802-8g driver) in custom cabinets with N801-8a crossovers. I am thinking a 1200 crossover point combined with new caps and pots would be beneficial. I have done research and some feel the "Altec" voicing will be lost and the original coils must be reused. Others disagree. I guess that leaves me a choice of obtaining vintage Model 19 crossovers and have them rebuilt or having something new like Zilch's Z19 built. Thoughts? Does anyone on this forum provide this service? TIA

[Fort Knox]

I am looking to upgrade the crossovers in my Altec Speakers. As near as I can tell, I have Model 19 drivers (416-8b woofer, 811-8 horn, 802-8g driver) in custom cabinets with N801-8a crossovers. I am thinking a 1200 crossover point combined with new caps and pots would be beneficial. I have done research and some feel the "Altec" voicing will be lost and the original coils must be reused. Others disagree. I guess that leaves me a choice of obtaining vintage Model 19 crossovers and have them rebuilt or having something new like Zilch's Z19 built. Thoughts? Does anyone on this forum provide this service? TIA


I associate "voicing" w/A7 cab ...are your custom cabs all horn or mod 19 style?
Is the N801 an A7 component?

[IowaClass65]

I associate "voicing" w/A7 cab ...are your custom cabs all horn or mod 19 style?
Is the N801 an A7 component?

Hi
My cabinets are bigger that Valencias and a bit smaller than the 19, but definitely that style. I believe the N801 was used in the Valencia and other speakers as Altec seemed to do back in the day. My main goal here is to freshen up the caps and raise the crossover point to the 1200hz that the 19 employs.

[Fort Knox]

Hi
My cabinets are bigger that Valencias and a bit smaller than the 19, but definitely that style. I believe the N801 was used in the Valencia and other speakers as Altec seemed to do back in the day. My main goal here is to freshen up the caps and raise the crossover point to the 1200hz that the 19 employs.


I was not aware of the 1200hz x/o in the 19...I've heard the 811 @ 1200hz
and it sounds thinner....but if thats what the 19 is ..then it is...
The n801 x/o is a lot simpler than the 19 x/o.... however ...so..you'll have to
lay in a bunch of xra parts in the 801 ..if you want to match the 19

[IowaClass65]

I was not aware of the 1200hz x/o in the 19...I've heard the 811 @ 1200hz
and it sounds thinner....but if thats what the 19 is ..then it is...
The n801 x/o is a lot simpler than the 19 x/o.... however ...so..you'll have to
lay in a bunch of xra parts in the 801 ..if you want to match the 19

Thanks for the information, I haven't really decided about the crossover point yet. I wanted to hear from some of the experts on this site first. If I go the 19 xo route, I would replace the N801 completely, there isn't a lot of room there. There are also some Altec crossovers that have selectable settings (500, 800, 1200). Lots of options. What I don't want to do is mess up a very nice sounding speaker. Thanks again for the input!

[Fort Knox]

Thanks for the information, I haven't really decided about the crossover point yet. I wanted to hear from some of the experts on this site first. If I go the 19 xo route, I would replace the N801 completely, there isn't a lot of room there. There are also some Altec crossovers that have selectable settings (500, 800, 1200). Lots of options. What I don't want to do is mess up a very nice sounding speaker. Thanks again for the input!

the 19 x/o is special in that the filter sys. within does a magic balancing act to.. the 802/811
look at the schematic

[Alien_Shore]

Given that you are not actually using the Altec Model 19, it is questionable to assume that a M19 crossover will achieve the result you want. As mentioned, the M19 passive crossover employs shelving controls and CD compensation. Altec designers incorporated the specific cabinet and driver response of the M19 into it, so YMMV when you try to use the M19 design on your system.

The best results will come from measuring your speakers and simulating the passive crossover design using software. If this isn't possible, you may want to go with bi-amping and using EQ and an active crossover.