My turn...A7 restore...

**analog addict** · March 10th, 2012, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by Audio_by_Goodwill

Very Nice! Are you going to paint the inside, too? I like bare wood on the inside of cabinets, but I see someone already put some paint on the inside.

What will you be loading into the cabinet? How about the port boards?

Well, let's see. No I'm not intending to paint the inside of the cabinets, at least on purpose. I have a bunch of interior work to do, including bracing the cabinet, and filling the void spaces behind the horn flares.

I have a pair of 416-8As I bought specifically for this build, but I also have a pair of 515-16GHPs currently residing in a pair of unused 816VIs that could be put into these boxes. I was going to start with the 416s, a pair of 908-8A's and a set of EV ST-350 "baby buttcheek" tweeters. However, I've recently sourced a set of 902-16As which I could use with the 515s to make a pair of 16 Ohm A-7s. So much fun down the road. However, I gotta get the structural work done, and at the current pace, it's still going to be awhile.

As far as the port boards, I have them, and need to finish them up, along with the backs. I was also thinking of making some sort of sliding door for the port as to have a variable tuning device for them. Anyone ever try that approach?

**Audio_by_Goodwill** · March 11th, 2012, 12:11 AM

Originally Posted by analog addict

Well, let's see. No I'm not intending to paint the inside of the cabinets, at least on purpose. I have a bunch of interior work to do, including bracing the cabinet, and filling the void spaces behind the horn flares.

What are you going to fill the voids with? Several things have been discussed here before.

I have a pair of 416-8As I bought specifically for this build, but I also have a pair of 515-16GHPs currently residing in a pair of unused 816VIs that could be put into these boxes. I was going to start with the 416s, a pair of 908-8A's and a set of EV ST-350 "baby buttcheek" tweeters. However, I've recently sourced a set of 902-16As which I could use with the 515s to make a pair of 16 Ohm A-7s. So much fun down the road. However, I gotta get the structural work done, and at the current pace, it's still going to be awhile.

I thought you had the 816s hooked up as surrounds?

Just make sure you keep taking pictures so the rest of us can watch :-)

As far as the port boards, I have them, and need to finish them up, along with the backs. I was also thinking of making some sort of sliding door for the port as to have a variable tuning device for them. Anyone ever try that approach?

I forgot about the backs.

An adjustable port is mentioned in "How to Build Speaker Enclosures" but on a very temporary basis. I would think rattling would be a problem on a permanently adjustable setup, such as a sliding arrangement.

GM · March 11th, 2012, 12:20 AM

Seen them on some early '50s RCA cabs and they worked fine, but never bothered since I was used to doing the standard reflex tuning procedure of making a too large vent and clamping a piece of wood to it to partially block it off till it either measured or I heard a tuning I liked, then made a cosmetic insert.

GM

**Altec Best** · March 11th, 2012, 04:03 AM

Originally Posted by analog addict

However, I gotta get the structural work done, and at the current pace, it's still going to be awhile.

Rome wasn't built in a day. However AA they are shaping up nicely.You will be hearing them real soon.It's the wood filling, painting, and stuff like that, that takes up or consumes the most time.You should have them running soon now that the paint is done.

They are looking good.You always have the corner box Simplexes in the meantime.

**Panomaniac** · March 11th, 2012, 10:53 AM

Don't fret. Mine sit half painted - been that way for months.

Also been meaning to optimize the port size for about a year.
Oh well, at least they sound nice.

You've been making stellar progress.

**voice of the theater** · March 11th, 2012, 09:10 PM

They look great! I'll be very interested in learning what driver combination and port size you end up using....

**analog addict** · March 14th, 2012, 09:11 PM

Got both cabinets sprayed with the foam gap sealer. The first one was the steep portion of the learning curve, but this one came out pretty even. There's definitely a noticeable difference when you rap the front side of the flare. Now it's more of a thud than a hollow sound....

**bowtie427ss** · March 14th, 2012, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by analog addict

Got both cabinets sprayed with the foam gap sealer. The first one was the steep portion of the learning curve, but this one came out pretty even. There's definitely a noticeable difference when you rap the front side of the flare. Now it's more of a thud than a hollow sound....

I am vaguely reminded of an old girlfriend and a lotta redi-whip.

**VolvoHeretic** · March 15th, 2012, 12:14 AM

When I pulled the speakers out of mine, they were stuck to the cork gasket and I almost ripped them off yanking them out. How do you solve this problem; a ring of wax paper, or a smear of vasoline?

**analog addict** · March 15th, 2012, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by bowtie427ss

I am vaguely reminded of an old girlfriend and a lotta redi-whip.

Well, I'm sure it don't taste as good, but it is nice and light, probably adding less than a pound to each speaker.

One of the things I'm trying to keep in mind is the amount of "unsprung" weight I'm adding to these boxes. I still have some structural additions to make....