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What are you using for Altec A7 crossovers?

vfr800fiman

vfr800fiman

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
Hi all-
I'm just getting around to using my Altec A7 "type" speakers now that I have a SE KT88 amplifier that needs high efficiency speakers.

My question pertains to the crossovers that I have in my setup.
When I bought them from my buddy, I just bought the cabs so I loaded them with the drivers for an A7 setup (which is what he had). This consists of a 421-8LF, 808-8B, and the 511 horn.

The crossovers I have in one is an N1209-8A, and the other is a 904-8A. Now I know these are not correct, but at the time the crossovers were difficult to find (pre EBay days). Now I think the correct crossover is an N501-8A, does anyone else here run A7's, and if so, what crossovers are you using?

The N1209-8A looks like a 1200hz crossover point, so maybe just finding another one of these would be okay. I think the 904-A is actually a crossover for that speaker of the same model #?

I'd like to hear some opinions.

Here's what my cabs look like:
newfriends.JPG

newfriends2.JPG


Thanks
Glenn
 
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500hz would be superb for your app.

1200 is too high for that midbass horn, it's effective BW is ~100hz to ~1000hz, it really beams toward the upper range.

Only thing i'd change personally, i'd swap the 808-8B's out for an older style annular phased pair of 802's. IMO, the tangerine equipped drivers don't do as well at a 500hz XO as the older style drivers with the steel annular slit phase plug. Additionally, drivers equipped with all aluminum diaphragms will offer smoother and more extended HF response.

Just my .02.............
 
Thanks for that info.
Yes, I was looking at the N501-8A crossovers to get to the 500hz point. I've heard though that some people actually like the 1200hz on this setup, to each their own. I actually think my buddy had the N501-8A's in these cabs as the cutout is not correct for the current crossovers I have in there.

I've also heard about changing the diaphragms to the aluminum from the Symbiotic for home Hi-Fi use. I'll keep my eyes open for a pair of 802 drivers to see what the sound is like.

I will say that these speakers sound GREAT with an SE amp :D
I had them on a TQWP pair of speakers before, and these are MUCH better. I think I just prefer the horn sound.

Do any of you add damping material to your horns to keep them from ringing? I've heard this make a noticeable difference.

Thanks again.
Glenn
 
Goodwill_HiFi said:
What are those cabinets?
Click to expand...
Good question, my friend built them, and he's the one that got me started on Altec equipment. Best as I can tell they are A7 type cabs cut down, but they look like Valencia's with horn loading.
I believe he said they were built from an Altec plan, so maybe someone can identify the model? This was over 30 years ago, so I'm unsure.

Glenn
 
I believe he said they were built from an Altec plan, so maybe someone can identify the model? This was over 30 years ago, so I'm unsure.
Click to expand...
Functionally equivalent to an 816. In the flesh they appear to be a marriage of 816 and a scaled up 846A cabinet. I like em.:thmbsp:
 
Funny you say that, in the past I always thought of using the components in an 816 cab because it was a little smaller. Then you just mount the horn on top. They sound pretty good as is even if there isn't much of a port left on each side of the 511 horn.
Now I just have to get a matched pair of crossovers.

Glenn
 
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