Adding JBL 2402H to Altec Model 19s to make it 3 way.

[LPCOLLECT]

Hello AK community, I'd like to ask for some guidance here.

I have a chance to purchase a set of JBL 2402H locally and was wondering if anybody has tried adding these as supertweeters to Altec Model 19s.

I believe 2402H are ferrite but my 416-8B on the Altec are alnico afaik.
is this potentially a bad match since they are using different magnets?
do i need an additional crossover built? or can I get away with running another wire from the speaker cable and solder a capacitor right before it connects to JBL 2402H.

is adding something like 2405 maybe a better idea?

is this just a bad idea in general?

 

[loudnoises]

Running a tweeter with a cap (and lpad) off the main is a pretty safe and reliable way to do it. You'll want a lpad not just the cap, odds of the levels being right just by luck is very low. Do not neglect phase, they might sound better out than in. This will affect the load your amp sees.

Different magnet types is a non-issue. The only times it might matter is if you're replacing one with another, and the only thing that would possibly care is your ears.

One issue adding tweeters to horns is time alignment of the drivers. You might find that while below the official levels of audibility, having the mid and tweeter diaphragm offset by a foot or so can cause issues. Adding tweeters to an 811 or 511 is not easy IMHO. Are you planning to cross at 10k like a supertweeter?

Just on the sematic side, I would read into adding tweeters to 811 and 511 horns. The model 19 uses the 811, but I expect you'll find far more anecdotal info from folks searching just the horns. Lots more of us using big horns needing high end than people looking to mod their 19s.

I'm still fighting my 511s, my favorite combo to date is topping with magnavox console horns.

 

[Nyjblbob]

IMHO rather than bringing up the Alnico vs Ceramic issue,
I would be more concerned that the 2405H's have their now unobtainium
original diaphragms. IMHO they now have cheap Chi-com replacements.
The missing foilcals on the backs exposing the screw is a dead give away.
having had 3 pair of 19's with 811's 802's with the good Altec Phragms,\High freq's
were never a problem! Can you still hear past 15,000hz???
Lack of Deep Bass was one of my few complaints with them.
the other is the 19's needing a very large room to sound their best.
bobhorn

 

[LPCOLLECT]

IMHO rather than bringing up the Alnico vs Ceramic issue,
I would be more concerned that the 2405H's have their now unobtainium
original diaphragms. IMHO they now have cheap Chi-com replacements.
The missing foilcals on the backs exposing the screw is a dead give away.
having had 3 pair of 19's with 811's 802's with the good Altec Phragms,\High freq's
were never a problem! Can you still hear past 15,000hz???
Lack of Deep Bass was one of my few complaints with them.
the other is the 19's needing a very large room to sound their best.
bobhorn

great to know. thanks for the info.

I asked the seller if the diaphragm is original or has been messed with ever. no response and was sold to somebody else.

I guess it could have been replaced with chinese diaphragm.

are 2402 diaphragms also unobtainum at this point?

 

[LPCOLLECT]

Running a tweeter with a cap (and lpad) off the main is a pretty safe and reliable way to do it. You'll want a lpad not just the cap, odds of the levels being right just by luck is very low. Do not neglect phase, they might sound better out than in. This will affect the load your amp sees.

Different magnet types is a non-issue. The only times it might matter is if you're replacing one with another, and the only thing that would possibly care is your ears.

One issue adding tweeters to horns is time alignment of the drivers. You might find that while below the official levels of audibility, having the mid and tweeter diaphragm offset by a foot or so can cause issues. Adding tweeters to an 811 or 511 is not easy IMHO. Are you planning to cross at 10k like a supertweeter?

Just on the sematic side, I would read into adding tweeters to 811 and 511 horns. The model 19 uses the 811, but I expect you'll find far more anecdotal info from folks searching just the horns. Lots more of us using big horns needing high end than people looking to mod their 19s.

I'm still fighting my 511s, my favorite combo to date is topping with magnavox console horns.

thank you for the advice here.

I've seen people build custom stand/mounts for these tweeter with an L-pad. if I go down this route, I'll make to attach an L pad so it can controlled.

I didn't think of time alignment at all, I'm not a 100% sure if I'll cross at 10k or maybe a bit higher.

are you running an A7 with those 511s? my 811 sometimes feels a bit to harsh in my small room. maybe those foam surrounding could help.

I decided not to go with these 2402H. time to look for another 8ohm supertweeter. let me know if you have suggestions.

 

[malden]

my 811 sometimes feels a bit to harsh in my small room. maybe those foam surrounding could help.

how small is the room?

 

[loudnoises]

thank you for the advice here.

I've seen people build custom stand/mounts for these tweeter with an L-pad. if I go down this route, I'll make to attach an L pad so it can controlled.

I didn't think of time alignment at all, I'm not a 100% sure if I'll cross at 10k or maybe a bit higher.

are you running an A7 with those 511s? my 811 sometimes feels a bit to harsh in my small room. maybe those foam surrounding could help.

I decided not to go with these 2402H. time to look for another 8ohm supertweeter. let me know if you have suggestions.

Mine are above a pair of evm12l in custom karlsonator cabinets. I would love a set of a7-500 but know I don't have a big enough space.

I'm guessing the harshness is at higher volumes? Could be more of a room treatment issue. These horns tend to be pretty rolled off. Also possible your crossover has drifted? I don't know the 19s but they are very well documented here and elsewhere.

 

[gdmoore28]

Running a tweeter with a cap (and lpad) off the main is a pretty safe and reliable way to do it. You'll want a lpad not just the cap, odds of the levels being right just by luck is very low. Do not neglect phase, they might sound better out than in. This will affect the load your amp sees.

Different magnet types is a non-issue. The only times it might matter is if you're replacing one with another, and the only thing that would possibly care is your ears.

One issue adding tweeters to horns is time alignment of the drivers. You might find that while below the official levels of audibility, having the mid and tweeter diaphragm offset by a foot or so can cause issues. Adding tweeters to an 811 or 511 is not easy IMHO. Are you planning to cross at 10k like a supertweeter?

Just on the sematic side, I would read into adding tweeters to 811 and 511 horns. The model 19 uses the 811, but I expect you'll find far more anecdotal info from folks searching just the horns. Lots more of us using big horns needing high end than people looking to mod their 19s.

I'm still fighting my 511s, my favorite combo to date is topping with magnavox console horns.

I added Beyma CP21F slotted super tweeters to my Altec build (416Z, 802D, 511B) with a condenser crossing at 10kHz along with an Lpad. I like the results very much. I leave the Lpad wide open as that's what mine needs. I connected the Beyma directly to the main Input, before the 700Hz main crossover.

 

[gdmoore28]

thank you for the advice here.

I've seen people build custom stand/mounts for these tweeter with an L-pad. if I go down this route, I'll make to attach an L pad so it can controlled.

I didn't think of time alignment at all, I'm not a 100% sure if I'll cross at 10k or maybe a bit higher.

are you running an A7 with those 511s? my 811 sometimes feels a bit to harsh in my small room. maybe those foam surrounding could help.

I decided not to go with these 2402H. time to look for another 8ohm supertweeter. let me know if you have suggestions.

You can easily eliminate the harshness by installing the Altec 30904 eq circuit. Very easy to build and install. Also try backing off on the horn volume.

thank you for the advice here.

I've seen people build custom stand/mounts for these tweeter with an L-pad. if I go down this route, I'll make to attach an L pad so it can controlled.

I didn't think of time alignment at all, I'm not a 100% sure if I'll cross at 10k or maybe a bit higher.

are you running an A7 with those 511s? my 811 sometimes feels a bit to harsh in my small room. maybe those foam surrounding could help.

I decided not to go with these 2402H. time to look for another 8ohm supertweeter. let me know if you have suggestions.