Page 1 of 5 12345 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 47

Thread: Removal of Mantaray Horn.

  1. #1
    Inactive Member TonyNZ's Avatar
    Join Date
    March 29th, 2008
    Posts
    10
    Follows
    0
    Following
    0
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quoted
    0 Post(s)

    Post

    Hi Folks, I'm a new member on the board because I've just purchase a pair of 904-8A Altec's. Nice drivers BUT the horn is definitely 'In your Face' My question is "has anyone removed the Mantaray Horn from the driver and just left the driver in a similar configuration as the Tannoy format ? I have the driver on my desk and listening only to the horn and it was almost 'killing' me. I'd like every possible help with this one. Thanks

  2. #2
    Inactive Member selmerdave's Avatar
    Join Date
    February 21st, 2003
    Posts
    384
    Follows
    0
    Following
    0
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quoted
    0 Post(s)

    Post

    Hi Tony,

    If the HF driver is killing you there must be some problem with the crossover you are using or the way you are implementing them, setup properly they will *not* sound like that. The HF output needs to be padded down around 4-db or so to match the efficiency of the woofer, and yes if you don't do that it will sound god-awful.

    The Tannoy configuration is essentially the same thing, although it uses the LF cone as the mouth of the horn rather than a separate horn structure. The Altec cone is not designed as such and will not give the same results. The problem you are having is not related to the horn, it's related to proper implementation.

    Dave

  3. #3
    Inactive Member TonyNZ's Avatar
    Join Date
    March 29th, 2008
    Posts
    10
    Follows
    0
    Following
    0
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quoted
    0 Post(s)

    Post

    Thanks for your reply. I'm using a simple 1uF cap on the horn, which will easily "pad down" the response by 4 db and much more at a standard X-over point. Yet it seems to have Phase problems within the frequency range it is operating at. Do you know what the Fs of the horn would be ? I guess my driver is using the Symbiotek diaphragm because it's a 904 and not a 604. Please have a little patience with me because my experience with Altec drivers is all of about 2 weeks forums Cheers.

  4. #4
    Senior Hostboard Member GM's Avatar
    Join Date
    December 26th, 2002
    Location
    Chamblee, Ga.
    Posts
    4,967
    Follows
    0
    Following
    0
    Mentioned
    3 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quoted
    48 Post(s)

    Post

    I must not be able to 'see the forest for the trees' this early in the morning since a 1 uF cap will begin rolling off up around 20 kHz where the Symbiotik diaphragm is > -12 dB, so pretty much the horn's entire BW should be so attenuated that all you're basically hearing is the woofer........

    GM

  5. #5
    Inactive Member selmerdave's Avatar
    Join Date
    February 21st, 2003
    Posts
    384
    Follows
    0
    Following
    0
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quoted
    0 Post(s)

    Post

    The point is you need to pad down the response above the XO point. A cap does not pad down anything, it creates a filter. If you are not using a proper crossover you certainly cannot judge the sound of the speakers or hear what they can do. A 1-uF cap n the HF is not a proper crossover for a 604 (and not within a country mile). It has *nothing* to do with the horn.

    Dave

  6. #6
    Inactive Member bfish's Avatar
    Join Date
    December 1st, 2004
    Posts
    2,891
    Follows
    0
    Following
    0
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quoted
    0 Post(s)

    Post

    Post formerly wasted on deaf ears.

    <font color="#FFFFFF" size="1">[ April 05, 2008 11:29 PM: Message edited by: bfish ]</font>

  7. #7
    Senior Hostboard Member
    Removal of Mantaray Horn.


    Old Guy's Avatar
    Join Date
    June 23rd, 2003
    Posts
    6,352
    Follows
    0
    Following
    0
    Mentioned
    2 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quoted
    60 Post(s)

    Post

    Originally posted by GM:
    </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Old Guy:
    [qb]
    <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hmm, is this a good idea for any duplex model, which should have it IMO to protect the diaphragm due to the small horn? For sure the two models I've had hands on experience with were factory loaded with them.

    GM
    </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hmm- I've only owned older ones- none of them that I recall had loading caps. Interesting- so the xover doesn't provide enough protection?

    Not questioning you, just asking for an expansion. Thanks!

    I have to admit not being as experienced in duplexes- I've only owned 4 604's- and that was some years ago..

    Then again, out of the swirling brain fog I sorta remember stashing some..I REALLY have got to pull a cleanup and inventory. On top of several hundred other things I haven't finished.

    I still retain the second floor of my old building back in the city- and I've owned that building since 1981... lots of it isn't Altec, but I'm sure of some stuff..

  8. #8
    Inactive Member selmerdave's Avatar
    Join Date
    February 21st, 2003
    Posts
    384
    Follows
    0
    Following
    0
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quoted
    0 Post(s)

    Post

    I took the loading caps out of mine some time ago, mind you they've never seen more than 2W from me.

    Dave

  9. #9
    Inactive Member TonyNZ's Avatar
    Join Date
    March 29th, 2008
    Posts
    10
    Follows
    0
    Following
    0
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quoted
    0 Post(s)

    Post

    In reply to bfish:
    Try removing your face from the horn...(it's 'killing' me too)

    Then load them in a proper box, and connect them to a proper crossover.

    Or not. What the **** did Altec engineers know anyway?

    Frankly, I don't know what you're implying with your comments, especially when you say "it's killing me too" Tell me, if you were to go and listen to a LIVE performance, why should it sound horrible and extrusiating if you sat close to the performers. I'll also qualify Live Performance. I'm talking about Real Natural Instruments, like violins, Cellos and clarinets etc. NOT electrically amplified and 'doctored' instruments like electric guitars etc. Therefore why should the HF unit sound so Horrible that it makes me turn my head and shut it down ? The only reason for that is, "it IS horrible" I'm not an electronic wizard but I have been involved a little over the years as an Audiophile. This is not to mention I was a Professional Musician before retirement. I have a University Degree gained at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and I played with Major Symphony Orchestras for many years. I guess I should know what REAL intruments should sound like. Would you agree ??
    forums NEXT: Speaking of X-overs, my experience has proven that the best x-over is NO x-over at all, or at least, the fewer components the better !! (If electrically possible)
    FINALLY: When you say "Or not. What the **** did Altec engineers know anyway?" Well, I don't see the need for **** and I have no idea what the Altec Engineers know. All I know is, 'that' Horn sounds absolutely awful. Take the silly thing off and you WILL begin to hear things much closer to reality. More than happy to help you out forums Cheers

  10. #10
    Inactive Member bfish's Avatar
    Join Date
    December 1st, 2004
    Posts
    2,891
    Follows
    0
    Following
    0
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quoted
    0 Post(s)

    Post

    Post formerly wasted on deaf ears.

    <font color="#FFFFFF" size="1">[ April 05, 2008 11:30 PM: Message edited by: bfish ]</font>

Page 1 of 5 12345 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
This forum has been viewed: 24720112 times.