Altec crossovers

[marcushifi]

Hey all I’m new to Altec speakers. I recently bought a pair of Altec 412C biflex speakers inside of Altec Madrid cabinets I believe. They don’t have a crossover just screws for speaker wire on the back of the cabinet that then run 2 wires to the positive and negative on the speakers themselves. I’m wanting to add horns and mids eventually. I do have a pair of speakers with crossovers, a pair of horns and mids that are from the early 70’s and all they say is Award on the the front grill. So I don’t know anything significant about the components which concerns me a bit.

So my question is would it be safe to use these parts to complete the Altec cabinet? I don’t have the money for original Altec components right now so just wondering if these would work safely. If not I’ll be saving for awhile to get original components that pair with the 412c’s.

I just don’t want to do anything dumb so any information helps a lot.

Thanks!

 

[marcushifi]

 

[62caddy]

412C is a full range driver. Unless there are any Altec designs showing the 412C driver in configuration with other [Altec] drivers, chances are it is intended to be used solo and not with other drivers and not perform well if attempted.

Speaker drivers, the physical properties of cabinet design and crossover network must all work together harmoniously and getting it to happen is a matter of considerable expertise.

 

[marcushifi]

412C is a full range driver. Unless there are any Altec designs showing the 412C driver in configuration with other [Altec] drivers, chances are it is intended to be used solo and not with other drivers and not perform well if attempted.

Speaker drivers, the physical properties of cabinet design and crossover network must all work together harmoniously and getting it to happen is a matter of considerable expertise.

That is what I was figuring. It’s a full range speaker and does sound great. Just looking if there was a way to enhance them anymore. I appreciate your knowledge.

Thanks

 

[marcushifi]

Add a tweeter. Altec did. Bring it in high, 6khz or above.

But, there's no need to add a midrange. That 412 will make some of the finest midrange available. It could use the extension and sparkle a good tweeter would add.

The blocked off opening in the top of the cabinet was made specifically for an Altec 3000 series tweeter. There are suitable substitutes as the Altecs are no longer serviceable and quite spendy to source good working ones.

What would some suitable substitutes be for a tweeter?

And thanks for you information. I’m trying to get more apprised of Altec info and knowledge.

 

[setup1]

I agree with bowtie427, the 3000 would’ve been a natural partner to the 412 bi-flex to enhance the extreme highs. But if you are lucky to own or find a pair, they are very fragile and cannot be repaired if accidentally over driven.

Look into the Fostex line of horn tweeters starting with the most affordable FT17H. Insert a 1-2uf cap (I like paper in oil ) + L-pad in series with the tweeter.

Happy listening!

JE

 

[marcushifi]

I agree with bowtie427, the 3000 would’ve been a natural partner to the 412 bi-flex to enhance the extreme highs. But if you are lucky to own or find a pair, they are very fragile and cannot be repaired if accidentally over driven.

Look into the Fostex line of horn tweeters starting with the most affordable FT17H. Insert a 1-2uf cap (I like paper in oil ) + L-pad in series with the tweeter.

Happy listening!

JE

Thanks a ton. I will be looking into Fostex!

 

[gdmoore28]

Welcome to AK, Marcushifi. Good to have another Altec enthusiast on board.

Can you post a pic of the horns in your "Award" speakers? If those are any good (????) you could just mount them where the Altec 3000 tweeter would have been and use it there temporarily until you find the tweets you really want. I'd cross it in at 6000Hz with a simple capacitor.

But follow Bowtie's advice ultimately. He's one of the premier Altec experts here.

GeeDeeEmm

 

[gdmoore28]

For a cheap alternative in good quality gear (while you save up for and learn about Altec gear), you might consider a pair of these PRV Audio D230Ti-S high frequency drivers (only $25 at Parts Express):

These drivers have a beautiful response curve:
https://www.parts-express.com/pedocs/specs/294-2822--prv-audio-d230ti-s-specifications.pdf

Add a couple of small wave guides, the PRV WG11-25 ($4.99 ea):

And use a 3.3mf capacitor to cross it at 6,000Hz.
You would wire it as in the following diagram, but you can delete the inductor on the woofer if you'd like.

C1= 3.3 mf capacitor
L1 = .21 mh inductor

You can get the capacitors from Parts Express, as well, part number 027-420, $1.78/each.

Easy return policy if you don't like them.

What do you other guys think about this suggestion?

GeeDeeEmm

 

[marcushifi]

For a cheap alternative in good quality gear (while you save up for and learn about Altec gear), you might consider a pair of these PRV Audio D230Ti-S high frequency drivers (only $25 at Parts Express):

These drivers have a beautiful response curve:
https://www.parts-express.com/pedocs/specs/294-2822--prv-audio-d230ti-s-specifications.pdf

Add a couple of small wave guides, the PRV WG11-25 ($4.99 ea):

And use a 3.3mf capacitor to cross it at 6,000Hz.
You would wire it as in the following diagram, but you can delete the inductor on the woofer if you'd like.

C1= 3.3 mf capacitor
L1 = .21 mh inductor

You can get the capacitors from Parts Express, as well, part number 027-420, $1.78/each.

Easy return policy if you don't like them.

What do you other guys think about this suggestion?

GeeDeeEmm

This is awesome info! And looks like an affordable right now option.

 

[twiiii]

I would call Crites the Klipsch expert and order one of his updated tweeters for the Heritage series, Tell him you need a 7 kHz crossover with a Vol Control . I'm sure he will build it for you. make sure you tell him if you are going to mount the tweeter from the front or rear, The Bi Flex speakers out put starts to drop above 6 Khz as I remember. They were never a good seller for us. People would hear a 605 or 604 and make the step up.