Need Help with New Vintage Altec Speakers

[aaadougford]

I recently bought these Santiago's from out of state and I'm starting to
realize these are actually DIY Cabs and some VOTT speakers thrown in. I
was excited to hear them since they were out of state. Now that they
are here, I am completely concern with the performance I.E. DISTORTION. I
am not happy!



So I opened the box to verify the contents and here's what I found:



411-8a as I expected

811B with an 806-A drive

N-800-D crossover at 800Hz 16 ohm



I didn't expect to see the N-800-D



I am posting pictures so you can see the multimeter measurements.




So I'm asking do you think these are blown? Are they blown based on the wrong network deployment?

Thanks,
Doug

[aaadougford]

I've decided to make these more inline with Santiago's since the dimensions of the cabinets are to spec of Santiago's, but with an upgrade on the HF driver. I'll replace the 806a's with 902-8B's and the N-800-D with the correct N801-8A. Does anyone see something I should be concerned about with making these changes. I will need to sell off the 16 ohm things coming out to finance the replacements.

I'd appreciate any feedback.

Thanks,
Doug

[Altec Best]

If your getting a 9 ohm reading then no they aren't blown. But something isn't right if your getting a lot of distortion.I don't use the 806's that much.You are correct to use a 902,or an 802-8G they sound better IMO.

[miker]

Take the back of the drivers off of the 806's and visually inspect the diaphragms. I've had perfect voice coil resistance readings only to find the diapragm aluminum domes in shreds.

[Eaulive]

Take the back of the drivers off of the 806's and visually inspect the diaphragms. I've had perfect voice coil resistance readings only to find the diapragm aluminum domes in shreds.

Yup, very true.

[Altec Best]

Take the back of the drivers off of the 806's and visually inspect the diaphragms. I've had perfect voice coil resistance readings only to find the diapragm aluminum domes in shreds.

True but that is the exception IMHO.Your more likely to find a broken lead that goes through the edge of the dome.But in all cases it makes sense to inspect the whole diaphragm !

Here's an example on a Altec 23744 Diaphragm.That was repaired by a friend.