Onken speaker cabinet, need a few build suggestions

[MrMonster]

Hello Lads,
Thanks for the information.
I was able to get a reply from Manuel that did the photo build site at Ispra.Net - Alex Patak Audio

He reports that his build was from 25MM "phenolic Beech" plywood, and the insulation was 10MM unbleached wool felt. the best results were from directly on a heavily carpeted floor.

I guess I will go the purist route on this, just need to find the extra dough to commit to this project.

The only thing I can find no definitive answer to is the Altec 416A or 416B choice, While Hiagra wrote that "he did not care for the sound of the B, there was no other reflection as to why.
I have not found anyone so far with experience with both the woofers to expound on it.

But, for now, I have a near new pair of 416B woofers,, in the future I could indeed try the A, as it would not be too hard to swap woofers, at most just making a new front board.

Anyone out there with both versions of the 416 that can comment?

As for amps, I own a Pioneer Spec 2, and Spec 4, a pioneer Sa 9100 and a Sa 9800, plus a number of 70's receivers.
I will be looking for a tube amp soon, just not sure what to look at that is within a reasonable price.
Thank you all.
Donald Bowman

[Steve Mac]

I dunno but it's a good question....I'm interested if anyone knows the reason why.

[Steve Schell]

I had a Jensen Triplex three way corner system using the Ultraflex bass enclosure years ago and I was impressed by its bass performance with the stock Jensen P-15LL driver. It seems to me that an Altec 416B should do quite well in that enclosure.

As I understand it the Onken box is an adaptation of the Ultraflex; in other words a seriously ducted port bass reflex enclosure. The Jensen Ultraflex was specified for either corner or wall loading. There were a slew of interesting enclosure designs in the 1950s, some using a flared reflex port resembling a rear loaded horn, like several of the EV models including the Regency. Then there were the multiple chamber enclosures like the Stephens and the Karlson. Never heard the Stephens, have always liked the Karlson a lot. To my knowledge no one has ever done a modern comparison of all these designs, but it would be fun to do.

[scott fitlin]

The only thing I can find no definitive answer to is the Altec 416A or 416B choice, While Hiagra wrote that "he did not care for the sound of the B, there was no other reflection as to why.
I have not found anyone so far with experience with both the woofers to expound on it.

Over at Lansing heritage, ALTEC BEST posted a link to Jean Hiraga's Onken cabinets, so I read it thoroughly. Hiraga said he feels that the 416-8B sounds a little muddy in the extreme low end. The 416A doesn't exhibit this characteristic, according to him.

I don't know, I have only heard 416-8B and 8C, but when I find the link to Hiraga's words I will post them here, it's what Hiraga said!