A8's revisited

[aeyb701]

Hi all:
Happy summer. I recently unearthed and dusted off my A8 clone cabinets I made 4 years ago, this time fitting them with 416-8C's, 807 green drivers (fitted with 23744 8-ohm diaphragms) and N1201-8A crossovers.
My earlier components were: 416-8B, 802-8T, and N1285's set at 1200 Hz.
The system synergy is more pleasing than the earlier combination. So much more balance and less in-your-face highs and mids, though that could also be the less-efficient (smaller magnet) HF driver.
I have used the N1201's in A7 iterations with very pleasing results as compared to the N1285 at 1200Hz.
Altec used the N1201 in some latter-day A-7's (late 70's) as I saw in old ads on line-I can find them on my hard drive if anyone cares.
I recommend the Model 19/N1201 network to anyone for home hifi Altec bass reflex listening.

[aeyb701]

BTW here's a photo:

[LICORNE]

Congratulations!

These sound very good. I was contracted for live PA in a small pub at happy hour for live performers. The comments were : " to efficient or revealing". You either chose
a different mic or used the attenuator.Any way they were amateur performers.

With Pro performers I sometimes used Neumann U87 with the attenuator on the off position.



.............

[SOOTSHE]

Nice....

[Altec Best]

Hi Jon, From your photo the port looks to be a bit too small have you tried the cabinet with different port sizes as well during your different combinations.Congrats !! :2thumbsup:

[aeyb701]

Hi and thanks AltecBest (apologies for not recalling your name), and others who commented.
The port is the size shown in the original A8 blueprint from the mid-60's. Later designs showed two tubed ports (A8C), which used the 3156(?correct) 16-inch woofer.
I once asked this board would a bigger port be better for bass and the general opinion was no. Certainly with the current complement of drivers and x-over it has more bass than before, and smoother overall low-to-high response. The MC2100/C28 combo helps too.
It's nice having a few different cabs and drivers around to mix and match, giving quite pleasing results on occasion.
-Jon

[Altec Best]

Hi and thanks AltecBest (apologies for not recalling your name. Jon

No Worries, it Kinda resembles yours !! Congrats on the A-8 they look real nice.And sounding nice from the looks of it.:2thumbsup:


Regards ~ John

[bowtie427ss]

Quite possibly the best an A8 has ever looked!

I hope you're as proud of them as i'd be.:2thumbsup:

The shallow footprint presents some possibilities i hadn't considered, they could be the answer for some of us who just don't quite have the room for 19's, as they don't extend into and dominate the room like a 19 pair can.

[Altec Best]

they could be the answer for some of us who just don't quite have the room for 19's, as they don't extend into and dominate the room like a 19 pair can.

Yes very true.But for me personally it was a sacrifice worth making.For the pleasure I get out of the 19's it is worth the little extra space I would have otherwise.They are radiating sound for Hrs. and Hrs. in my home everyday. One of the best purchases I've made in speakers hands down.:2thumbsup: