Altec Valencia 846B's

[bdblkta]

Hello all, I?m Josh

I joined your forum upon someones recommendation recently because I was fortunate enough to have gotten a nice pair of Valencia 846B?s that I want to learn about and repair.

The speakers are in pretty nice shape with some chips in the veneer and some scratching but nothing to bad. One of the speakers had the original 806A w/811 horn and 416-8Z, the other cabinet only had the 806A w/811 horn and a radio shack realistic that had rotted away.

I am trying to locate some information about the particular 416 that I have as I can?t find one similar. All of the things I have read state that the 416-8Z is the same as the 416-8A just that the Z has no magnet cover. Well the one I have does in fact have the cover. I am just trying to find out if it would be ok to purchase a 416-8A if I can?t locate and 8Z?

I plan to send the horns to GPA as I have read that is the place to send them to get the best service.

Now to the other question that I am having trouble locating an answer for. I do know there is a search function but I get lost in the technical info in the posts about crossovers. Can someone please tell me what caps (values and brands) I will need to rebuild the crossovers back to stock? I would like to stay as close to original as possible and I am hoping to see some pictures of the crossovers after they have been rebuilt. Again I know this has been gone over many times but I?m a visual learner and don?t comprehend things as well just from reading.

I have included a picture of the speaker in question.

Thank you for all of your help and having a great forum for me to learn on. Josh

[RonSSS]

Welcome Josh!

That woofer is actually the later 416-8B alnico with the large 16" frame. So to match it, find a single 416-8B. Nice woofer!

Personally, for crossovers I'd find a pair of Model 19 or 1201-8A.
way better than what's in there.

The valencia isn't much different than the M19. The box is a bit smaller.

If the horn drivers work, they are likely fine. But since someone blew up one of the woofers, might be good to check them.

Down the road, I suggest some 902-8A or 802-8G drivers.

Have fun!

Ron

[bowtie427ss]

Actually, it says 416-8Z on the white stick on label.

To me , it "looks" like the stepped return pot of the 416-8B motor, it's not a cover to the extent that if you were to remove it, the woofer would no longer function and probably be beyond repair.

In this case, i would be tempted to disregard the label that says 416-8Z, and simply call it a plain labeled 416-8B. A 416-8B is what i'd be seeking for a mate.

The crossover is N800-8K, if you have no luck here, try searching at Audiokarma as i'm sure Zilch has posted a schematic with component values for the stock N800-8K.

[bowtie427ss]

Ron cut a perfect light on that post and beat me to it!

Personally, for crossovers I'd find a pair of Model 19 or 1201-8A.
way better than what's in there.

Agree that the EQ/comp'd network is far better sounding, i'd not make the change without swapping out more sensitive HF drivers though. In this case i think the OP would be limited to 902's as 802's are about 1/2-3/4 inch too long..................... there's always the jig saw.

[zelgall]

My 19's have 8Z's with no magnet cover, naturally they're 16" frames as well. I met another 19 owner in Toronto that also has 8Z's in his. How many different 416 versions were used in the model 19? Just the B, C and Z?

[Altec Best]

I'd wager that there aren't too many 19's with the 416Z woofer. Agreed that is definitely a 416-8B without the foilcal label.Is that 806 a 16 ohm driver with a 8 ohm woofer Hmmm ?? I would use a 902.

BTW: :welcome: To the board Josh, Look around and have Fun there are a lot of nice Folks here. Regards ~ John

[bdblkta]

Thank you to all who have responded. So from the research I've been doing I have come up with a plan. I will locate a 416-8b box it up with the one I have, box up my horn drivers and send them all to GPA to have them all rebuilt. Does this sound like a good idea? Please remember I am new to the higher end speaker world so I would like to here these as they were meant to be before modifying. Thanks for any advice

[Old Guy]

The 8z I am pretty sure was just used when the 416 had no label

They were A's early and B's later.

At least the later Z's I had, were factory with B cones. There can be A versions with the big frame. I would go with what the spec sheet for your year Valencia says.

[Altec Best]

Thank you to all who have responded. So from the research I've been doing I have come up with a plan. I will locate a 416-8b box it up with the one I have, box up my horn drivers and send them all to GPA to have them all rebuilt. Does this sound like a good idea? Please remember I am new to the higher end speaker world so I would like to here these as they were meant to be before modifying. Thanks for any advice

That may not be necessary to send them all, if they are in nice shape you may NOT need to have them all rebuilt.Especially concerning the cones if the cones are still good you can have just the mags recharged and even that may not be necessary if the drivers have been in like clubs and things like that then yes rebuild if they have only been in a home enviroment they will most likely be OK.Once the Original cones are gone they are gone forever.As some people have noted here the cones may be a little heavier than the originals.I have asked Bill at GPA about this very thing and he said he is getting his cones from the same place Altec got their cones for many many years.And he said the cones are exactly the same so who knows. But crossovers need to be replaced/rebuilt.

BTW: The 416-8B's are becoming harder and harder to find.If you can't find one used GPA is now producing the 416-8B's again, but it will look a little different as he is not making them with the stepped Alnico pot.The pot will look like a 515 I'm pretty sure.