Bug Screens

**voice of the theater** · March 12th, 2012, 11:48 AM

I know this is a controversial procedure, but I'm always thinking of ways to improve my speakers/acoustics/electronics etc.--and bottom line--overall sound quality. I know that to remove bug screens from 802-8G's, you need to cut them out with a knife. I'm just not going to do that -- I'd feel like I was taking a knife to the Mona Lisa. They sound amazing and I just won't deface them. However, I've heard that there's an easy and reversible way to remove the bug screens from 902-8A drivers (that I have in my Model 14's). I can't find the tread with our current search feature here, but I know someone here mentioned it once.

Question 1) Anyone know how to remove the bug screens from 902-8A drivers? Is it located between the driver and the Mantaray Horn? Do I just unbolt the driver from the horn and pull out the screen?

Question 2) Has anyone tried this with ANY classic Altec Lansing h.f. driver? Did you noticed increased clarity, or better imaging, or better h.f. sound in general (or anything else or any combination of the above)? Does any resulting "change" cause the driver to be out of spec--are the screens factored into the design and does removing them makes the drivers "too bright" or too loud or "wrong" in some other way?

Question 3) These speakers sit in my living room. If I remove the bug screens and notice an improvement in sound, is there a downside? I don't have bug problems here, but will that allow dust into the driver and cause problems down the road? Or does dust get through the screen anyways and get "blown out" when I crank them up!? (so, no downside?).

I'm in a tinkering mood--thanks in advance for any input....

**Altec Best** · March 12th, 2012, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by voice of the theater

I can't find the tread with our current search feature here, but I know someone here mentioned it once.

I'm looking into it now. I have the same problem.You have to use Google for the time being.I contacted Steven to ask him when the software upgrade will happen.I will let you guys know when I hear something back.It will also improve the Marketplace as well as everyone will be able to open their own thread there.We just have to wait for version 4.1.8.When that is ? Is anyones guess.

**cradeldorf** · March 12th, 2012, 06:56 PM

Interesting thought.... If you find the post make sure you link it here I'd like to see it too. If you were to have speaker cloth over your horn I would imagine it would keep the bugs out while not restricting as much as I would think the dust screen does. I still haven't done the felt cap no loading cap thingy yet. I did Start a new cabinet design this morning though so look for that coming soon.

**just me now** · March 12th, 2012, 07:13 PM

Altec 511 question - AudioKarma.org Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums

found one thread on AK....

hope it helps, i have no experience with this sort of modification...

**voice of the theater** · March 12th, 2012, 08:06 PM

Great thread, thanks for the link JMN. Some people over there say they heard a substantial improvement once the (dirty) screens were removed. One post there has me concerned about trying this with my 902's.
"I leave my screens in for two resons on the 802/808 drivers, I hate crawling bugs and removing the screen can cause the throats to resonate as it leaves play in the space taken up by the screen (the throat moves up and down without it)." Anyone know if this is an inevitable problem with removing the screens?

Found this thread here, but it isn't the one I'm thinking of. There was a thread here where someone said it was easy and reversible to remove the screens from a 902-8A but I can't find that one and have no idea what that method is....

http://www.hostboard.com/forums/f700...g-screens.html

**Panomaniac** · March 12th, 2012, 08:37 PM

I pulled the bug screens out of my 288s. Could not hear or measure any difference. I was surprised and a bit disappointed.

GM · March 12th, 2012, 09:43 PM

I've removed the bug screens on two pairs of 802Ds and heard subtle differences back before age too its toll on my HF hearing, mostly improvements in dynamics, i.e. 'air' around instruments, especially when the ultralights began aging.

GM

**gvasale** · March 13th, 2012, 09:32 AM

Use the "advanced" search window on the top of the page. Works fine.

**Altec Best** · March 13th, 2012, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Panomaniac

I pulled the bug screens out of my 288s. Could not hear or measure any difference. I was surprised and a bit disappointed.

I agree Pano. I would leave them unless they are encrusted (clogged, eBay specials ). IMO there are only probably only a very small percentage of Folk's who can actually tell a difference.And I'm not one of them. Of course as the post states YMMV....

**RonSSS** · March 13th, 2012, 02:36 PM

I have done this on all my small format drivers.

I noted the biggest effect in the imaging.
Try this. Listen to pink noise from your listening position. Move your head back and forth a foot to either side and note the phasey sound.
Remove the screens. Note that for the most part, the phasey sound disappears.
The sweet spot gets bigger.
This is my experience.

On the 900 series drivers it's easy as the screen is simply glued to the driver face underneath the gasket. Easy to remove and replace if you so desire.
800 series drivers you have to cut it out with an exacto or similar. I suggest you remove the diaphragm when doing this and suck any debris out (from the front) with a shop vac.

Ron