416-8C info please?

**music2myears** · December 22nd, 2009, 11:26 AM

Hi,
This is my first post on this Forum.
Just got a pair of 416-8C, and I am thinking about putting them in 816 enclosures - any views on that as a working plan is greatly appreciated.

**gearfreak** · December 22nd, 2009, 01:37 PM

The initial responses will likely ask you to clarify your application/goal for the combination, so you may want to get a jump on that and describe your situation. Also to clarify the flavor of 816 that you are referring to.

My (generally uninformed) impression of the 816 is that you won't obtain a lot of low bass from it's ported section.

This would seem confirmed by the 816VI sheet:

http://www.altecpro.com/pdfs/vintage...r%20System.pdf

Noting that it spec's a 515, not a 416 though.

**music2myears** · December 22nd, 2009, 03:04 PM

Initially my idea was to try to get away with a 2-way system, since it would simplify some matters (and probably complicate others, but still...), so right now I have these 416-8C:s and a set of Pioneer PD50/PH50 - compression drivers and horns, just pre-TAD era.
Recommended xover for those are 800Hz.
I realize that trying to achieve true horn loading in the bass region is not an option for me, because of my limited room space. That's why I've been pondering the VOT cabs as a possible candidates.

**Audio_by_Goodwill** · December 22nd, 2009, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by gearfreak

My (generally uninformed) impression of the 816 is that you won't obtain a lot of low bass from it's ported section.

It's supposed to go down to 50hz.

This would seem confirmed by the 816VI sheet:

http://www.altecpro.com/pdfs/vintage...r%20System.pdf

Noting that it spec's a 515, not a 416 though.

Yes, but that's a system sheet, not the enclosure sheet.

This is the cabinet sheet:
http://www.altecpro.com/pdfs/vintage...%20Cabinet.pdf

....... but I wouldn't assume the VI/VIX since it's not as common as the earlier A and B cabinets. The earlier cabinets also list the 416.

As an aside...... comparing the various spec sheets, I've confirmed that the 816VIX is not the same size as an earlier 816. The later cabinet is slightly larger in all external dimensions besides having a different port arrangement.

I think I'm going to put in a Christmas CD, and play it through my 9864-8a (816-VIX cabinet)...... sometimes I miss the bass, sometimes I don't.

**bowtie427ss** · December 22nd, 2009, 03:46 PM

I'll 2nd Gearfreak's post and would just add this: If you have room for the 816 footprint, then you have room for the 825/828 footprint. In most listening rooms the 825/828 yields a couple advantages. First, they will put the midbass and HF horns at a better listening height, and second, the 825/828 is an improved midbass horn with no parallel sides vs. the 816 with it's parallel top and bottom panels.

**Audio_by_Goodwill** · December 22nd, 2009, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by music2myears

That's why I've been pondering the VOT cabs as a possible candidates.

Do you already have the 816 cabinets?

**bowtie427ss** · December 22nd, 2009, 03:48 PM

As an aside...... comparing the various spec sheets, I've confirmed that the 816VIX is not the same size as an earlier 816. The later cabinet is slightly larger in all external dimensions besides having a different port arrangement.

Isn't a good deal of the additional dimension to accomodate a recessed grill?

**Audio_by_Goodwill** · December 22nd, 2009, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by bowtie427ss

I'll 2nd Gearfreak's post and would just add this: If you have room for the 816 footprint, then you have room for the 825/828 footprint. In most listening rooms the 825/828 yields a couple advantages. First, they will put the midbass and HF horns at a better listening height, and second, the 825/828 is an improved midbass horn with no parallel sides vs. the 816 with it's parallel top and bottom panels.

With one exception..... if it's the 816VIX cabinet. It sits the other way, with parallel sides rather than parallel top and bottom. In that case the foot print is smaller than the 825/828. I was actually going to use a pair of the earlier 816 turned the other way, but didn't end up getting them. Either way, they're all bigger than your average home speaker..... from any era :-)

How would the horn orientation affect the sound? The 816VIX is always shown the other way. Furthermore the 210 and 815 are also oriented in that manner.

**Audio_by_Goodwill** · December 22nd, 2009, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by bowtie427ss

Isn't a good deal of the additional dimension to accomodate a recessed grill?

Ok, I take back part of what I just said...... the early cabinets are 1/2" deeper. The 816VIX is taller/wider (orientation is 90 degrees off). The A/B is 21.75, but the VIX is 25.3". When comparing to an 828 the flares is actually a bit wider too, and I've always heard it repeated that the 816 and 825/828 share horn designs.

I would imagine the internal volumes are probably pretty close.

**bowtie427ss** · December 22nd, 2009, 04:44 PM

The cabinet orientation in the photo contradicts the 80 degree horizontal coverage claim. I do not believe that's the "intended" orientation so much as they were demonstrating "optional" orientation. They appear to have flypoints to allow both ways. Just my WAG.

FWIW, another possibility is to build a "half" 817 as Stanal did. I would wager very similar sonics in another aspect ratio. In the optional orientation it'd have a yet smaller footprint.