OT:Any opinions on Clarity caps for crossovers?

[xinu]

Hi Bill - I'm building a custom design to this spec:

N809-8A_Network.jpg

I considered a higher x-over frequency (like the M19 1.2K) but I think that would be stretching the 411Bs beyond the point where they would play nicely.

Greg

[GM]

Good call, the M19's 1200 Hz is theoretically too high for the 416's, etc., 3" VC, which is ~1000 Hz, so way too high for the 4" at ~760 Hz and ~900 Hz based on the M19's theoretical 'misalignment'.

GM

[xinu]

Good call, the M19's 1200 Hz is theoretically too high for the 416's, etc., 3" VC, which is ~1000 Hz, so way too high for the 4" at ~760 Hz and ~900 Hz based on the M19's theoretical 'misalignment'.

GM

That has me wondering why Altec didn't select the 511B horn for the original 878 Santiago design. Maybe 511Bs would have pushed the enclosure dimensions and cost beyond what was acceptable for the home market? In any case they when into production using the 3" VC 411A which would have been better suited for an 811B 800Hz x-over. I'm not sure why Altec replaced the 411A with be 'B' version which is much more than just a revision of the previous design. Perhaps the 'A' version wasn't performing well in a sealed enclosure? No doubt this was the classic story of balancing the design compromises needed to utilize existing components and meet the price/quality requirements for the target market.

Now this has got me thinking if there's a way to squeeze a 511 into a Santiago? I'd have to build a rectangular horn mounting frame that would extend beyond the baffle. I think not

[Elitopus1]

Maybe something else would fit in these easier. Like an Emilar horn

Emilar EH-500 is about the same size as the 811b....

[xinu]

Thanks for the suggestion Elitopus! I'll check those out further. So far the search hasn't produced much info about them. It'll be interesting to find out more.

Greg

[GM]

That has me wondering why Altec didn't select the 511B horn for the original 878 Santiago design.

Now this has got me thinking if there's a way to squeeze a 511 into a Santiago?

Why would they? Its 'Dynamic Force' variant had a 3" VC in the original design.

Regardless, this was the beginning of the 'power wars' and 'incredible shrinking cabs', hence the larger VC 411 and at a time when the company was already being gutted, so no doubt that size/cost was a factor and later a need to consolidate to just one model.

FWIW, others have blocked off or vented the horn cutout, flipped them upside down and perched same/different horn on top.

If you want a finished look, you could slap on some taller, deeper side panels [it can use the extra stiffness!] and top, filling the horn cavity with open cell foam to both damp its resonances and mimic the foam inserts of the later ones.

Better though to scratch build new, taller cabs like quite a few folks have done with their Valencia components.

Unless you're really fond of them, best to sell them and use that and the $300 on XO parts as downpayment on a scratch build using new GPA components.

GM

[xinu]

Why would they? Its 'Dynamic Force' variant had a 3" VC in the original design.

Regardless, this was the beginning of the 'power wars' and 'incredible shrinking cabs', hence the larger VC 411 and at a time when the company was already being gutted, so no doubt that size/cost was a factor and later a need to consolidate to just one model.

FWIW, others have blocked off or vented the horn cutout, flipped them upside down and perched same/different horn on top.

If you want a finished look, you could slap on some taller, deeper side panels [it can use the extra stiffness!] and top, filling the horn cavity with open cell foam to both damp its resonances and mimic the foam inserts of the later ones.

Better though to scratch build new, taller cabs like quite a few folks have done with their Valencia components.

Unless you're really fond of them, best to sell them and use that and the $300 on XO parts as downpayment on a scratch build using new GPA components.

GM

I enjoy learning about Altec’s history and specifically the market forces that influenced the design decisions for this product line.

So it sounds like the change over to the 411B was primarily based on the ‘power war’ limitations of the 411A and as a consequence the lower midrange suffered some collateral damage.

The Boss has now accepted the living room look with the Santiagos in place so I will let sleeping dogs lie for now. I also think they are very nice retro looking cabs and more importantly for me, a significant improvement over the Ardens they replaced.

I have already spent over $300 on crossover parts so it remains to be seen if that was money well spent.

I’m definitely not done tweaking the Santiagos but the idea of building Altec inspired 2-way enclosures with GPA components is a worthy objective to work towards.

Greg