From A7 to custom DIY horns

**mah** · December 2nd, 2009, 10:48 PM

Elegant in its simplicity.

Many thanks, Marshall.

**Altec Best** · December 3rd, 2009, 01:55 AM

Originally Posted by Wardsweb

The grills are simple a rectangular sheet of perforated metal covered with grill cloth held in place by automotive trim.
The width of the metal is one inch wider than the face of the speakers. The speaker baffle board is recessed creating edges that the grill is wedged between. Because it is wider it has to bow to fit.

Ward, That is a cool little trick and the grilles look fabulous may I ask How much time do you have in the construction of these speakers actual time say if you worked 8 hr. days on them how long from begining to end with the grilles.How do they sound just looking at those is killing me for sound, are you happy with the sound,do they sound as good as they look.

Nice Job !!!

Regards ~ AB

**Wardsweb** · December 3rd, 2009, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by Altec Best

Ward, That is a cool little trick and the grilles look fabulous may I ask How much time do you have in the construction of these speakers actual time say if you worked 8 hr. days on them how long from begining to end with the grilles.How do they sound just looking at those is killing me for sound, are you happy with the sound,do they sound as good as they look.

Nice Job !!!

Regards ~ AB

There are somewhere between 250 and 300 hours in these. It could be done a lot quicker now, but building custom one off the first time around takes time to think, build, rethink, build, undo, redo, install drivers, test, listen, tinker, listen some more and then veneer and finish. There is always something you didn't think of or realize would take longer. Like machining the 511 horn flange down to exactly fit the opening. Things like cutout for binding posts in the back, only to fill that hole once I wanted to go a different route and install the metal channel across the back to hold the attenuators and the binding posts. It's always something. Even during the finishing. I thought the lacquer had dried enough to lay the speakers on their sides. When I went to pick them up, the carpet I laid down to protect the finish was embedded in the lacquer. It had to be stripped, sanded and redone. It all takes time. A real learning process.

As for sound...OMG!! Every penny, every second, every "what now" was worth it. These are exactly what I want. The look, the sound, the detail, the midrange, the bass, the sizzle...it is all there and more. I am a happy audioholic.

**Altec Best** · December 4th, 2009, 02:57 AM

Originally Posted by Wardsweb

I thought the lacquer had dried enough to lay the speakers on their sides. When I went to pick them up, the carpet I laid down to protect the finish was embedded in the lacquer. It had to be stripped, sanded and redone. It all takes time. A real learning process.

All that had to Suck I could imagine the shear amount of Adjectives you come up with after that I know I would have been fuming to see that carpet stuck there.I'm sure that added a week or two if not more especially if it was both cabinets.

As for sound...OMG!! Every penny, every second, every "what now" was worth it. These are exactly what I want. The look, the sound, the detail, the midrange, the bass, the sizzle...it is all there and more. I am a happy audioholic.

I'm with you on that my friend.I said to myself if they sound half as good as they look they should sound phenomanal.Did you have a chance to measure output,frequency response anything like that,just to see what you have there.Take a bow you deserve it.Absolutely gorgeous one of a kind speakers that actually sound good

I am building Altec 620A cabs in the near future probably after the holidays now,but looking at your speakers is giving me idea's on cabinets,veneers,etc.... Thank You for posting Top-Notch !!! Regards ~ AB