gpa 399

[charlesmc75]

i have read that the altec 288 was one of the best midrange drivers ever built, and that from 500Hz to 10,000K+ they were very hard to beat. The only compression drivers (modern or otherwise) to do so was members of the TAD 4000 series. So my question is, if these claims are true, and i have heard some very nice original alnico 288's, why haven't i heard anyone talking about the gpa 399's? Are the ferite pancake style drivers that much different? I would love a modern usa made (non JBL, too much $$$$) midrange driver to use on a 350 Hz tractric horn crossed at 500Hz or so. Any comments?

<font color="#FFFFFF" size="1">[ October 09, 2008 03:58 PM: Message edited by: charlesmc75 ]</font>

[bfish]

Originally posted by charlesmc75:
...Are the ferite pancake style drivers that much different?...

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The 399 has ~2" shorter path length to the 1.4" exit (=faster internal WG flare rate) and ~9.3 lbs less mass than a large-body counterpart. Since both factors influence the extreme LF end, the XO point and slope used should determine if there's a noticable difference or not. Never had a 399 to play with though, so I have no personal testimony.

[stéphane Rame]

My 399 : http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/s...ad.php?t=11750

[charlesmc75]

Thanks for the replies, as for the difference in the internal throat flare rate, i wasn't aware of that. How do you think running a 1.4" to 2.0" adaptor would sound on some diy wooden radial horns (think tad th-4001 clone)? Thanks for the link st?phane, i have been lurking over there for years and never noticed that post. Your speakers look great and gives me more to think about. What would you think about crossing the 399's to a 902 driver using the new urei style horn to make a 3 way?

<font color="#FFFFFF" size="1">[ October 12, 2008 08:42 PM: Message edited by: charlesmc75 ]</font>

[Old Guy]

Not what you asked...but if I was gonna do 3 way I would get 290 or 292 for mids...then the one inchers on top...

Just one old guy's opinion. But cheaper and likely will sound better. The 290 series will go lower...