Horny!

[amandarae]

Finally, after a long wait and lots of experimentations.....









Azura horn XO at 500 hz 2nd order using Altec 802D(thanks NullSpace!) and 416B/612C.

Ever since I heard the 612C cabs in my room(with a 604 before), I always felt that it was the right bass bin in it. Lift it up about 4" above the carpet and the result was amazing. As for the horn, I tried Altec 811 and 511 and a JBL (whose model number escapes me at the moment) and you can see on the third pic that they are out of commissioned (probably to the classifieds here, Ebay or Craiglist bound).

More than 4 months in the making and still not done with the final horn mounting assembly. But that can wait...



regards,

Abe

[nullspace]

That's a nice looking setup you have there, Abe. Glad I could help out with the drivers.

Regards,
John

[BugC]

Hi Abe,

Great looking set up! Would love to hear them sing. ;-) ... BTW what drivers are attached to the 511 horns in the pic?

BugC

[amandarae]

BugC,

Thanks!

Ahh...I think you are referring to the JBL 1234 horns not the Altec 511. The JBL drivers are 2470's and currently with the original phenolic diaphragm. I just received the replacement aluminum (orig) diaphragms to convert them into a 2420 (same pots according to my reading) but have not installed it yet.

The green 811 horns have an Altec 802-8D on them.


Abe

[VolvoHeretic]

I can't help but notice the 3 or 4 turn tables in your set up.

[BugC]

Hi Abe,
How did the JBL's compare to the Altecs in your system? ... In a scale of 1 to 10 how far up is the new setup (azura horns) compared to the previous two? ... Am still searching for the right system for me. ;-)
BugC

[amandarae]

Hi Abe,
How did the JBL's compare to the Altecs in your system? ... In a scale of 1 to 10 how far up is the new setup (azura horns) compared to the previous two? ... Am still searching for the right system for me. ;-)
BugC

The JBL only goes up to ~9kHz. So tweeter performance plays a major key when using them, but the midrange is clear(a little warm than Altec though).

I will be lying to you if I will not say that the set up with the Azura horns sounds wonderful. Much better than the Altec 511/811 sound in my room for sure. But it takes a lot of fiddling around with crossovers and up to now, I am still trying different configs. When taking a break from experimenting, and just want to listen and relax, I just use a 1st order XO which to me when done right, is more than what I needed to enjoy the system. but of course, there's always the "what if.....?"

If I did not venture with the Azura horns, I will eventually go back to OB with my 604's. The Altec 511/811 with bass bin using 802D/806 are ok, even my Altec 19 clone with Zilch XO/Altec 1201 XO/Altec N500 XO again with the 511/811 was fine, but in the end I would say that it is not better than the OB in terms of clarity. Also when you stand up assuming that the 511/811 is at ear level when sitting down from the listening position, there is a noticeable decrease in fidelity, Bass of course is better compared to OB but IMO, only in terms of amplitude but not quality.

The biggest problem with the Le Cleach horn that I can see....I want to get a bigger one, probably on the 200-300 Hz range(on order!).

regards,

Abe

[BugC]

Hi Abe,

Thanks for the reply! ... I could imagine just how happy you are with the new setup ... As for me, who's still trying to find the right system, might go back to the OB's but this time using 3 drivers, the GPA 416-8c, Altec Biflex 415-8a and the JBL 075 bullet tweeters. I tried OB's before using a Pioneer PAX-30G driver. It had a huge soundstage and sounded wonderful. However, there's something missing that's why I'll try them again but this time with multiple drivers! ;-)

Cheers,
BugC

[John48]

Very nice indeed. This is a direction I have been thinking about going for some time as I own a 416. In regards the Azura horn, do you feel you need to dampen it? Please keep us posted on your crossover design.

[amandarae]

Hi Abe,

Thanks for the reply! ... I could imagine just how happy you are with the new setup ... As for me, who's still trying to find the right system, might go back to the OB's but this time using 3 drivers, the GPA 416-8c, Altec Biflex 415-8a and the JBL 075 bullet tweeters. I tried OB's before using a Pioneer PAX-30G driver. It had a huge soundstage and sounded wonderful. However, there's something missing that's why I'll try them again but this time with multiple drivers! ;-)

Cheers,
BugC

Hi BugC,

I really think that you are going in the right direction! Bass/Midbass on the 416-* should be great. Look at the pic below:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...Picture005.jpg

I have tried this since I also have a pair of 414's. Since my OB has a cut out for the 15" 416, I made an adaptor plate to accomodate the 414. A little low in the LF but midbass/midrange and top end were fabulous!

I also tried the 414 on the 612C bass cab using the same adaptor plate. The results surprised me and may eventually switch back and forth between the 416 and 414. The 414 in my opinion, if you do not need a lot of Low bass, blends very well with the 800 series compression drivers from Altec and has a bit more coherence than the 416 in the midbass/midrange(probably because of the blending).

regards,

Abe