Well the specs on the old 290 says that you can do 82dB continuous at 1/2 mile! But that with 4 drivers on the horn. ;

Running 100dB on the midrange was painful up close. I couldn't take it. Get back 75-100 feet and it was fine. In fact it sounded great. The 803 has a broad peak centered on 1KHz that is about 5dB hot. I always EQ'd that at home, but that peak sure punched the voice tight out there.

We were not just having fun, it was also a test and learning experience. There is a project in mind. Read on, if you are interested.

The project:
There is an old NASCAR track in North Wilkesboro, NC. In fact the very 1st NACAR championship was won there, in 1948. The track closed in 1996 and is rarely used. But a bunch of race nuts have gotten together and leased the track to run some races and a driving school. They need some PA to cover the middle part of the home stretch and some odds and ends of stuff in the infield. But they have almost no money. Of course.

We are trying to help them out. Donating some gear (a couple of amps, mixer, etc.) and labor. After hearing the Altecs, we are thinking that we could cover the seats we need with 3 horns. We've done it before with 3 Meyer CQ boxes. But the Altec horns just sound so good in the vocal range, you know?

So my 803/290 combos may end up at the racetrack. But I want another 300Hz horn for the center, a 1003 would be great if one can be found at a decent price. Later, we'll build some horn loaded long throw 12" woofers to fill in the bottom end. Does not need to go low, maybe 75-100Hz. Just to flesh out the voice a bit. From the horn position, it would be about 130 feet to the back of the grandstand. Should not be a problem.

So it's a cool idea anyway. Historic racetrack from 1948 gets a vintage Altec P.A. What could be better? :2thumbsup: