Altec Build

[jeffjmr]

Complication. GPA confirms no 515 original cones. So all 4 must be reconed as 515Bs. Bs can be reconed as Cs. Will ask GPA if I have the C option, but is this a good idea or just stick with Bs? Spec sheets warn that Bs midrange will suffer, but notes that "works great" in vented bass. Is the 817 a vented bass?

[VolvoHeretic]

Let's see a picture of the torn cones. I once repaired a 2" rip in a speaker by cutting 3/16" strips from masking tape and carefully applied it 1/8" next to and following the rip on each side and front and back, then added more tape next to that so as to not leave a mess. I then applied a thin bead of silicone caulk front and back, and smoothed it out with my finger leaving about a 1/16" x 1/4" bead and then removed the tape. It worked great, was black, and couldn't have added much weight.

So if that is all that is wrong with the woofers...

[GM]

B, C performance should be the same AFAIK and at least the lone 'C' I compared to a 'B' in a pair of A7-500s at the distributor when they came out sounded the same to me, but GPA will have to confirm or highlight any differences. Again, the 'G' is closest to the original 515, but for smaller horns and/or vented, the 'B' was/is my fave.

WRT the 'B's mids, they 'suffer' referenced to the original in 'A' series horns, i.e. the latter has a wider/stronger break-up modes BW to keep up with the higher gain of the big horns, so not an issue with smaller horns and/or vented.

Yes, the 817 is vented to a ~ 55 Hz Fb.

GM

[bowtie427ss]

So all 4 must be reconed as 515Bs.

Sell them all "as is" and buy 4 new ones from GPA. You can likely come out a bit ahead, and you'll help preserve another pair of original 515's a bit longer. IMO, to destroy a pair of good original 515 cones hinges on being a sacrilegious act.

[Altec Best]

Jeff I don't think GPA has the same cones you have on those.The 515 came with a paper surround.I would leave them.

Complication. GPA confirms no 515 original cones. So all 4 must be re-coned as 515Bs.

Sell them all "as is" and buy 4 new ones from GPA. to destroy a pair of good original 515 cones hinges on being a sacrilegious act.

I agree you could sell them and buy 4 brand new ones ! And you would have 4 new ones that all should be matched similarly

[jeffjmr]

I agree you could sell them and buy 4 brand new ones ! And you would have 4 new ones that all should be matched similarly

OK, I hear you. Preservation is important, and I am motivated to keep the originals in deference to my departed friend. I will get them out of storage, post some pictures to evaluate whether VolvoHeretic's home repair idea shows promise.

If that turns out to be practical, should they go to GPA anyway for remagging?

I like those AutoTech horns. Need some brushing up on my theory though to choose the right ones for the 288s and N500Cs.

[Altec Best]

Jeff I don't think GPA has the same cones you have on those.The 515 came with a paper surround.They would probably be re-coned with the cloth/pleated surrounds.Not necessarily a bad thing but if the cones are fine I would leave them.

Complication. GPA confirms no 515 original cones. So all 4 must be re-coned as 515Bs. Bs can be re-coned as Cs. Will ask GPA if I have the C option, but is this a good idea or just stick with Bs? Spec sheets warn that Bs midrange will suffer, but notes that "works great" in vented bass. Is the 817 a vented bass?

Original 515's your probably looking at 40-50+ years on the magnets.They would most definitely benefit from a re-mag IMHO ! But make sure you put a note in each box that you just want the re-mag and NO re-cone ! Providing the cones are still good in the first place.

Keep in mind you will incure some expense in shipping up and back !

[gearfreak]

XX05 horns are nearly impossible to find at a decent price.

True, perhaps more accurate though - in good condition at a reasonable price. I don't have the patience for rusty multi's. Some do. Depends on your purpose.

As you are concerned about $, a general suggestion:

a) sit and wait. Watch CL and 'bay for deals. Be a creative searcher.
IMO Much of the $ wasted is mostly gas or shipping (these days).
As mentioned elsewhere, buy singles, sell pairs.

b) If you don't have your heart set for any particular reason on multi's or exponentials, or on Altec explicitly...
Modern CD horns from Parts express or some such will probably get you going @ 500hz cheaper than anything else - and the shipping can easilly end up 'free'.
Caveat: I do not know if they cater to the 1.4" opening size though.

The fallback is...

Large format mantarays seem to go cheaper - and are expected easier to ship - so your selection opens up. There are some metal ones, but most are plastic (lighter, cheaper to ship).

The REALLY BIG mantas (IME) ultimately go for really cheap - because they are $ to ship, and people get tired of walking around them.
If you have the room for them, find some locally and make a deal.
I gave my last one away in fact - and it took forever to do even that.

(* Full disclosure - I have some MR's for sale - but this is my honest opinion - it's not to drum up business)

**Edit: addition: You may wish to Familiarize yourself with the EV offerings as well. Beware throat size, and mounting lug configs.

c) On the cabs. While I am competent, I discovered generally that I have not the time, space, nor equipment to build nice cabs.
Your $ will go far, if you will travel to pickup.
If you let us know general whereabouts, we may be able to point you to some deals.

e.g. the 3x816's in Phila at the moment (3 for $100).
(not mine, no particular relation with or contact with seller other than being a previous customer years ago)








* Pano - those polish horns look neat. Check the iwata-300 at least. Sexy! (perhaps sexier than my bowties)
Thanks for the link. Didn't see prices on them, but need to look further.

[Old Guy]

If you are thinking of 2 x 15 cabs....the ones with newer cones should have more lows. Put them on the bottom. If you want an inductor in series will roll off the upper mid.

Put the originals with the light cones on top. This is where you want the most upper mid anyway. then horns on top of that.

JBL DID NOT invent the concept, but here is a link to an SR box that uses that principle.

JBL :: Product

This preserves the original two and lets you use the reconed pair. Also deals with the differing response.

I suggest separate top and bottom chambers tuned to each.

[Ronald Lee]

Wow, nice hardware. Those good 515s can sold for lots of money.

I would do an active crossover. 20 years ago, I built a set of speakers using 2 Altec 414s, 806/811, & EV T350s per side; and I used an active crossover from DeCousey(btw they are long gone). I used 800hz & 7khz with 12 db slopes. In hindsight I should've used 18db slopes. I just used a 60watt/ch SWTPC(Southwest Technical Products Corp) and 25watt/ch SWTPC that I soldered together from a kit, and a Crown DC150 for the woofers.

They sounded so good to my ears. Back then all of the instrumentation was in the realm of labs and universities.