Well, I did it!

**Big Woofers** · July 18th, 2005, 04:32 PM

To All,

Well, i went a head and did it. I built a pair of A7's:

HF Driver: 902-8b
HF Horn: 511B
Cross-Over: N-8500
LF Driver: 515-8G
LF Horn/Cabinet: 828 3/4" MDF Construction w/ an additional 3/4" Plywood Exterior for show. I created a special mounting so i can interchange different port sizes, currently have the option of quickly fliping between 130 square inches (5 x 26)standard port and 96 square inch port board (4 x 24). The bass horn flares are "almost" solid 3/4" mdf on edge, they would have been completely solid but the wife was gettting (insert nasty verbage here).

I hope i do not upset you altec fans but they are styled after a KlipschHorn.

I do not have a site to post photos, how can i show these off to all of you?

The Sound:
1. The **** room is to small, the midbass just seems "sucked out/not blending" at the listen position. If i step in to an adjoining room the bass sounds great and defined even though they are just sitting on carpet. it looks like i need some distance.
2. the bass from the port is good, i like the 130 sq. in port best, the 96 sq. in. port seemed to be "restrictive/over-tight?". But with the 130 sq. in. port, it is just a bit "fat/lose" sounding so i think i will attempt another size.
3. i have not modified the 511 b horn yet execpt to mount it all the way around at the flange using a carpet pad to "gasket" the angle of the flange to a flat board. not a lot of ringing to my ears.
4. The HF seems extended enough for me. Though it seems i have heard poeple here say that if i remove the screens that the highs will extend some more. How/Should i remove the screens from my 902-8b's?
5. The real down side of this is the mass, i would say they weight in at about 250 Lbs. each.

I need solve the room/listen position issue, i guess i will be moving into the basement where the room is about 14' x 26'.

Anyway, thanks for letting me lurk around and learn from you fine gentlemen. Any other input would be great.

A.L.
If you saw a picture of my dogs you would know way i call myself "Big Woofers". I got the idea for the name the day my dogs had the big plastic cones on thier heads to stop them from licking themselves... I had a pair of Big Horn Loaded Woofers.

**zincman** · July 18th, 2005, 04:41 PM

As someone who also just got the A7 bug I can attest to room size really making a difference. I have had to do some thing to try and tone things down a bit. First was lowering my volume, forums

, I run 802D with 511 and 416-16, 500 g Xover. My sysytem is Bottlehead Foreplay and Paramour so I have all the DB's my pea brain can handle. I am currently working on deadening the horns, alot of ring, and doing some cabinet bracing. So as I learn I can hopefully share some of my trials and hope to hear about your exploits to.
Tim

**Big Woofers** · July 18th, 2005, 04:57 PM

zincman,

My system, don't laugh, is a Bang and Olfsen 5000.

My intensions is to build gaincard clones using batties and going active with the crossover.

The adjustable port board showed some good and easy adjustments. i feel that i will be making some ports around 112 sq. in. next.

It is just amazing how if you can move back about 6' more feet the mid bass really starts to even out.

I hope someone can help me figure out how to post some photo's, they look pretty good considering i am no woodworker.

Big Woofers.

**zincman** · July 18th, 2005, 05:24 PM

Follow the link below it is free and easy.
http://www.imageshack.us/
You are right about distance and relative listening position to sound quality.

**Big Woofers** · July 18th, 2005, 05:44 PM

Photos of my a-7:

**boltupright** · July 18th, 2005, 10:26 PM

I guess you installed the bass horn flares after you took the pics of the unfinished cabs, I must say that the finished product is quite stunning to say the least, as far as styling, I think they look marvalous!

**zincman** · July 18th, 2005, 10:44 PM

Very,very nice forums

**endeeinn** · July 19th, 2005, 01:16 PM

Excellent job! Those are absolutely gorgeous. You are truly a craftsman! The only thing wrong with those A-7?s is that they aren?t sitting in my family room!