What to do with Altec 515b and 288-8g on 805b horns

[Panomaniac]

Yes, the horn can be EQ'd actively or passively. You'll want to...

For a bass box you might also look at the Onken box. It works very well with the 416. Should do OK with the 515. GM might know. I can send you the plans, if you don't find them. No horn flare, so easier to build then the Altec box. Looks cool, too.

The Onken looks like this. Onken Box

[eestrera]

Welcome to the forum!

I also run the A5 - but have 8 ohm woofers and 16 ohm drivers on the 803 horns.
But that is not a problem, as long as you are building your own crossover. If you are trying to use an already built crossover, it would be a problem. Look at the Hiraga crossover for the A5. Use the 8 ohm section for your horns, the 16 ohm section for the woofers. You will have to adjust the resistors on the horn, but we can help with that.

Yes, you can run these with a T-amp. I have quite a collection here and they all do well.
I am the t-amp guru, after all.

Thanks for the warm welcome. In your A5 configuration, is that an active crossover? I've managed to download the Hiraga crossover plan and I'm still trying to undertand it. It has a design for the 8 ohm crossover and the 16 ohm crossover, so do i use the 16 ohm design for the 515 and the 8 ohm design on the 288's? Will both crossover get linked to each other in one way or another or do the go to separate amplifiers respectively? And what kind of adjustment do you do with the resistors sir? Sorry having so many questions, still trying to understand.

Would you mind sharing what t-amps your using sir and how you use them on the altecs? I'd be very interested to know. For testing if the drivers work, i just used a pair of the original sonic impact 2 amp recased and reconfigured with new output transformers and caps. Somehow I always felt safe using this low powered tripath amplifiers is testing drivers compared to my solid states. Was planning on ordering a pair of some Dayton t-amps over parts express and experiment on using them as a 2nd setup to run the Altecs. The pop pulse is also readily available in my area though I haven't auditioned one yet.

Thanks.

Regards,

Earl

[Panomaniac]

Hi Earl, glad to help. And it is a subject that I know something about!

I was using an active crossover, but now am running passive and prefer it for many reasons, not the least of which is ease of use.

The passive crossover comes after the amp, so you need only one amp. The 2 parts will be link together, but they don't really work together, that's why you can mix and match. I'll look at the design again, but I think you need only change 1 resistor value. Might put a variable resistor in there to "tune" it. That would allow you to bring the level of the horn up or down to fit your room. The crossovers will not be cheap to build, inductors are expensive, but it will serve you for years and will sound great.

As for T-amps, I have too many. Sonic impact 1 & 2, Super-T, Fenice, Virtue Audio 1 & 2, Pop Pulse, 41Hz, Sure, Trends, various Chinese, etc. They all work fine with the A5.
One problem you will have is the 16 ohm woofer. It requires a higher voltage to get 1 watt than an 8 ohm woofer. And many of the T-amps are voltage limited as they run from 12V. That will limit your peak power a bit. Like 6.5 watts peak. But that would be rather loud with the 515 anyway!

[eestrera]

What do you guys think about using the 816 enclosure for the 515b?
This one is from simplex audio. With nice wooden horns too.

[Panomaniac]

I don't think you'll get much bass out of it. The 515s need a big box.
But someone here should have experience with this combo and will chime in.

[analog addict]

It's my understanding that 60-70Hz is about the best you'll see from this combo. I have a set of 515-16GHP in 816VI's. They are essentially a sound reinforcement system from a school auditorium. Great for vocals and PA system material, not so good for bass.

A sub woofer is recommended for audio applications.

[eestrera]

Panamaniac, Analog addict,

Thanks for the inputs on the 816. Do you guys have the enclosure design for the Onken using the 515b's? Tried looking for it but all i get are photos.

Thanks,

Earl

[Audio_by_Goodwill]

It's my understanding that 60-70Hz is about the best you'll see from this combo. I have a set of 515-16GHP in 816VI's. They are essentially a sound reinforcement system from a school auditorium. Great for vocals and PA system material, not so good for bass.

A sub woofer is recommended for audio applications.

For some reason the 9864-8A which also uses the 816-VI cabinet and a 515 based Duplex is supposed to be able to reach 50hz. I spec sheet for just the cabinet claims 65hz, as you stated. Maybe the 50hz is a stretch? My 9864 is very listenable, but does lack deep bass. I think the cabinet is a great alternative to the 825/828 cabinets. Having said that, I've never had the opportunity to listen to the earlier 816 cabinets. Another thing to consider is the differences between a 515B and our later drivers.

[drummerwill]

What I've always loved about a Front loaded Bass Horn is the dynamic impact of available low frequency .......... You can't get that with, no box!

Have fun!
Willie

[Panomaniac]

Hey Earl. All the info you need is in the link I posted above.
Onken 360l Enclosure with Altec 416 drivers
Check out the linked articles at the bottom of the page. Plans are within those links.
Onken Plans

There is a google translation button on the French pages. It does a decent job. Since I was around when those boxes where built and the articles written, I can help if there is something you don't understand.

This box is meant for the 416, but the 514 should be OK in it. Maybe a little less bass, but better dynamics. And you can always swap in a pair of 416s later, if you find a pair or trade your 515s for them. This is a great bass box, despite its odd design. It has won fans the world over.