Altec/Heathkit cabinets

[alteclipsch]

I'm about to pick up a complete set of component speakers and crossovers from ugly and trashed Heathkit cabinets. These are AS 101 systems. I can also get a beautiful pair of electrovoice cabinets of about 4.0 cubic feet. Rather than replicate my Altec Valencia cabinets, I'd like to put the Heath/Altec components in those EV cabs. All will fit. Any thoughts about how this will sound? I would likely port the cabinets to the same displacement as the Valencias.

 

[Gang-Twanger]

Depends on the displacement of the EV cab. If it works for those drivers, great, but it's not the sort of thing to guestimate. And the second question is, will those crossovers work in those cabs (Since those crossovers were intended for the Heathkit cabs, you'll want to be sure they will ALSO work in those EV enclosures.

 

[Tom Brennan]

If the cabinet is the same volume and the venting is the same it will perform the same. If not the performence will vary, use a bass modeling program to predict performence. Many free programs are available online.

The crossover will work the same regardless of the cabinet.

 

[alteclipsch]

The EV cabinets have an interior volume of about 7.5 cu ft; the Altecs are 6 cu ft. I could reduce the volume of the EVs by adding a sealed "shelf" inside to bring it to equal the volume of the Altecs and stuff it with insulation to eliminate resonance. The dimensions would be nearly the same, with the EV slightly deeper (by about an inch).

Can you point me to a good bass modeling program?

 

[Tom Brennan]

What you describe should work fine or you could, if you wish, take advantage of the extra volume of the EV boxes and gain a little bit deeper bass, that's where a modeling program would be useful.

The modeling program I use is an Ipad app called "bass response". I used others such as Bassbox when I used a PC.

 

[alteclipsch]

Thanks very much, I'll be looking into this and will post results and photos.

 

[Gang-Twanger]

If the cabinet is the same volume and the venting is the same it will perform the same. If not the performence will vary, use a bass modeling program to predict performence. Many free programs are available online.

The crossover will work the same regardless of the cabinet.

Yeah, I figured it would mostly come down to the cab-type and amount of displacement. I wasn't sure about the crossovers because I've never transplanted any crossovers before.

 

[alteclipsch]

Calculating the dimensions of both cabinets, they are within about 1/2 cubic foot of each other. The EV cabinet is taller, deeper, and skinnier than the Altec, with is closer to being a "lowboy."