515-B ok for A7?

[trollgurka]

Hi folks!
I need some advise. I've just built two A7 cabinets in 21 mm birch plywood - they look great. I was planning to use 416-8A elements along with 908-8B drivers, 511 horns and N508-(b crossovers. As it turns out there is something wrong with the 416-8A's and I have been offered a couple of 515 B's instead. Well, who better to ask than you - what do you think?

[Tom Brennan]

Altec used 515s in that cabinet, the result was called A5. I've used both 515Bs and 416s in VOTs and in my opinion the 515 makes a little better midrange, the BEST midrange I've ever heard, but the 416 makes deeper bass.

I'd use the 515s. If it turns out to be too bass-shy for you than get a good sub. 515Bs are too good to pass by.

[trollgurka]

Thank you for the advice which I feel confident in following - I'll go for the 515:s!

[CONVERGENCE]

Here is a chart that was put together by Altec experts. This should help you in making a decision.



Original 515, has great midrange, lacks low bass.

515B Has great low bass, impedance drops below 16 ohms in earlier versions at midrange. Later reconed units lack midrange. Recone with 515C series cones for bass horns will solve this problem. Works great in vented bass with standard cone.

515C 16" frame version of 515B. has regular constant impedance voice coil, lacks mids in horn enclosures. Great vented box woofer. Same remedies apply as 515B, last Alnico magnet 515.

515E Ferrite magnet version of 515C. Lacks even more mids in horn enclosures. Don't use in larger VOT cabinets (210, 211). Great vented box woofer. Ok for A5, A7.

515G series Newest version of 515C. Built exclusively for horn enclosures. Don't use in vented or sealed boxes. Works better than any previous model. Great woofer.

QUOTE BY bowtie427ss Unofficial FORUM Altec Lansing


"Ijust wanted to point out that the new ferrite versions of 515 and 416 from GPA are likely a big improvement over the first original ferrites and NOT just simple copies of what was being made 25 years ago "and what was manufactured when the plant closed in 1998.

"The GPA versions have been refined with up to date technology/knowledge including things like shorting rings and better field focusing to render performance closer to that of the alnico motors."


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[trollgurka]

I didn't quite get the fact that the cut-out for the speaker in the baffle is not supposed to be circular. I have ended up with a circular cut-out in the baffle which will now, in part, play into the horn from the back. Will this affect the sound negatively? Should I make a new baffle? Does anybody know the reason for the shape of the non-circular cut-out in the baffle?
By the way: the 515's I have got are not a matching pair. One is a 515-8LF and one, looking a bit older, is a 515-8B. The reason for why I don't have a matching pair is that they are hard to get in Sweden. I haven't test-listened yet, but I will today.

[trollgurka]

Midrange +++++
Bass +
High treble ++
Dear gurus - what subwoofers do you recommend?