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  1. #1
    Senior Member gdmoore28's Avatar
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    My Winter Project - Altec Build

    I've posted this same query at the Altec Users forum, but received no interest, so I'm hoping somebody here might have some experience in the direction I want to take with this build. Here we go.

    Since I was a teenager I've wanted an Altec A7-based stereo system, but space has never allowed such monsters in my home. That is still the situation, but the dream lives on. I've decided to build my own Altec system with a footprint that will allow me to continue living with my wife in the same space. I've collected the following components so far:


    - A Pair of 416-8Z woofers in near perfect condition, one of which has just returned from GPA for a complete recone.

    - A pair of 511B horns - one of which is NOS brand new from the box, the other in storage since the 1960s

    - One 802D driver (as new) and one 808-8A driver, unused and fresh from the factory box. Both of these will be refitted with new 8-ohm diaphragms from GPA.

    The cabinets will be furniture-grade 7 cubic foot pieces with the usual over-bracing, yadda, yadda, designed from computer program and vented. Loosely based on the Altec Model 19. Narrow cabinet width will be compensated by greater height. They will be v-shaped to fit in the corner of the room.

    Two questions:

    - The horns will be mounted on top of the cabinets simply because I want them to be seen. Should I position the woofers at the top of the cabinets as well in order to keep them as close to the horn mouth as possible?

    - My biggest concern is crossover design. I want to take advantage of the recent research done by a number of Altec enthusiasts to smooth the horn driver"s frequency response - especially in the 500 - 5000Hz range. My first inclination was to go with a version of the Zilch-designed Z19 crossover, but he favored changing the horn drivers to another brand. I recently ran across the Hiraga-designed network:
    (http://web.archive.org/web/200502060...s/HiragaA5.pdf). Complete background article at:http://wajonaudio.webs.com/Voice%20o...%20theatre.pdf. Although Hiraga's crossover is specifically designed for use with the 288 drivers, it seems that the frequency response modifications are identical to those required for smoothing the 802 drivers.

    (I'd like to advise in advance that I have no technical training in electronics, so my understanding of electronics is quite rudimental. I can build crossovers from diagrams, but beyond that I'm at loss.)

    I'd appreciate any thoughts you guys have on this project, especially the crossover question. Thanks in advance for any help.

    GeeDeeEmm

  2. #2
    Senior Member quindecima's Avatar
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    When I did mine I duplicated the internal volume of the Model 19's instead of duplicating the cabinets ( a lot easier). I did two pair one with the 802-8g and 416-8b and the M19 cross. The other pair I did with the 515B;s and 902-8B's/511B changed to the A's with the N8500-8 cross. I liked the 515B pair a little better but they both were pretty awesome with just a 70W pair of tube monoblocks. If you want to see the horns look up the volume of the M19 and duplicate the bottom with a centered speaker the networks come up all the time on Ebay. Link. : Altec Speaker System WTS M19 components

  3. #3
    Senior Member gdmoore28's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by quindecima View Post
    When I did mine I duplicated the internal volume of the Model 19's instead of duplicating the cabinets ( a lot easier). I did two pair one with the 802-8g and 416-8b and the M19 cross. The other pair I did with the 515B;s and 902-8B's/511B changed to the A's with the N8500-8 cross. I liked the 515B pair a little better but they both were pretty awesome with just a 70W pair of tube monoblocks. If you want to see the horns look up the volume of the M19 and duplicate the bottom with a centered speaker the networks come up all the time on Ebay. Link. : Altec Speaker System WTS M19 components
    Love the car in your avatar!

    Thanks so much for the input. The crossover design is my prime concern. The approach taken by Zilch (albeit with a different brand driver) and by Hiraga, especially, is to tame the Altec driver's renown mid frequency accentuation by designing a shelving network that will level the 500-5000 Hz output (by as much as 12dB attentuation!). I've heard these components (416/802/511b) using the stock Altec networks, and while they sound fine in a large auditorium, the midrange punch is just too much for a smaller room. I've considered simply biamping this system and using a digital RTA to smooth the output, but testimonials from some posters who have taken the RTA route report mixed results. Seems that more satisfactory results are obtained using a more traditional crossover network with the smoothing done there.

    Thoughts?

    GeeDeeEmm

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    A reasonable starting point for your "custom network" would be to mate the LC values detailed in the N809-8A, to the mid-range suppression circuitry of the 30903/4 network .



    I suspect that you can leave out the variable L-Pad ( ie; "RV1" ) detailed within the N809 schematic .

    The Zobel components of 30904 ( consisting of C-2 & R-3 ) , should most likely use 18 uF & 7.5 ohm as values ( then they match the 1209-8A zobel values ) .



    PS; You'll need to accept that you are now making a custom network without having the necessary knowledge that could enable you to get it right " the first time" . You'll need to commit to employing some trial & error .

    As such, you should order a UMIK-1 test mic for $75.00 , download REW ( Room EQ Wizard ) test software and then learn how to use them together ( then you can see changes in Frequency response that will happen when altering the LC values of the the suggested networks ) .

  5. #5
    Senior Member Lee in Montreal's Avatar
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    Interesting project. Before building an expensive quality crossover, perhaps you could experiment in sound shaping with a digital crossover. Then when you are happy with the sound, design an analog equivalent. Or keep using the digital crossover ;-)

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    New Years Greetings Gee Dee Emm,

    In 1975 I built something similar except I used 2 416's ( in an 11 foot box, tuned to 25 Hz), 511b and the 802D driver. I used the stock N 501 crossover with the 30904 EQ, like what Earl K is recommending.( I had the good fortune to have the tutelage of the of the Altec commercial sound contractor.) I would recommend you use that circuit as it really tames the midrange and makes it a more accurate reproducer. Altec also used it on their 9846 Monitor speaker, as well as the Barcelona and Santiago
    KEEP ON LISTENING!

  7. #7
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    Should you want to try a lower crossover point, here's the basic schematic ( though polarity of the horn might need to be flipped ) .



    Flipped polarity would look like the following ;



    You'll still need the mid-range suppression circuit. It would be wired in as in the following ;




  8. #8
    Senior Member gdmoore28's Avatar
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    Wow, thanks so much Earl, Lee, and Ed for your valuable input. I'd completely forgotten about the Altec 30903/4 network, even though I have it in my collection of notes. Thanks especially to Earl for taking time not only to respond, but in furnishing the schematics. My copies are far less clear than yours. You guys don't know how much it means to me to get this valuable info.



    Thanks again for making my day today. And a most happy new year to you all.

    GeeDeeEmm

  9. #9
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    Generally, Altecs 416 series of woofers are known to work best ( for extended LF ) within @ 9 cu' cabinets, tuned to @ 30hz .

    Also, one wants to build with ( fairly ) closely matched woofers ( to avoid having to make custom crossovers for each side ) .

    Since you have a recent recone from GPA, you might want to check it's DCR ( using a multi-meter ) and compare it to that of your unmolested 416-8Z.

    Some of GPA's newer recones may represent be a departure from the older spec. of your 416-8Z.

    Here's an example of a slightly changed spec; GPA's re-release of the Altec 416-8B .
    - The changes indicated within the TS marameters of this spec sheet would have me not wanting to use "one-of-each" flavor ( but instead one type or the other ) .


  10. #10
    Senior Member Lee in Montreal's Avatar
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    I was at the Stax museum in Memphis in June. The recording room had a nice pair of A7 (Fame Studio in Muscle Shoals also had a very nice vintage set). But at Stax, the control room had a bigger version of the A7. Much bigger. Perhaps four or five times the volume. Most likely for cleaner bass. They were probably modified (enlarged) A5 cabinets. See picture below.



    Stax control room















    At Fame Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama






  11. #11
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    Love the high end crossover Earl! thanks for the link.
    KEEP ON LISTENING!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ed Kreamer View Post
    Love the high end crossover Earl! thanks for the link.

    You're welcome Ed.

    Here a look at Art J's Hi-end crossover ;




  13. #13
    Senior Member gdmoore28's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Earl K View Post
    You're welcome Ed.

    Here a look at Art J's Hi-end crossover ;




    Finally, a crossover schematic that even I can understand! And I think I have all those parts on hand already. I'm set now!

    GeeDeeEmm

  14. #14
    Senior Member hsosdrum's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Earl K View Post
    You're welcome Ed.

    Here a look at Art J's Hi-end crossover ;



    Let's give credit where credit's due: this illustration was originally created by Randall Munroe, of XKCD fame.

  15. #15
    Senior Member gdmoore28's Avatar
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    Oops!!!!!

    I just realized that I've been referring to the 511B horn as a 501B. I've been doing some reading on other sites about restoring and using the Bose 901 speakers (my first honest to goodness quality speaker purchase in 1975), and somehow I mixed the -01 Bose numbers with the Altec -11. I have trouble remembering my own kid's/grandkid's names, so mixing numbers and names is quite routine for me. Sorry for the confusion!

    GeeDeeEmm

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