large or small format driver-and which horn?????

Great input Geekstar, Altec Best and GM

I have been reading frantically trying to narrow down the options within the original scope I outlined. There are so many options within the Altec cd driver and horn combos-at least in theory. I am gravitating towards the 228 or GPA399 too for drivers. I think that they might fit the bill so we can focus there for cd's. Tweeter can be considered later if at all.

So with the horns.....so many options again. I do want to cross over in the 500-ish to 800 range.
*So do I need a horn that will cross below 500, as is the 1505 and others?
*Also, very importantly, do these big multicells need 2 drivers per horn to load up properly, and will they sound anemic with just one driver per horn?
*Also read some of the big multi's tend to sound honky and horny. is that so? I dont really want that
*what about something like 511B/1005 or smaller than 1505? Geekstar comments on 15 cells being better than 8 or 10. 1505 sure are big!!
*then ther eis the 329A which seems to be a real winner with the 288, but is rare and can be pricey????
*what about bigger EV HR horns like HR 9040A, HR90, HR6040A, HR60. I seem to read good things about them on 288's. The glass EV's are readily available and relatively cheap. I like the look of the HR6040A and HR9040A

Any body got 288's or GPA399's for sale at the right price???
Thanks
Alan

One 288 is sufficient. Certainly not anemic.

Altec multicells do not sound honky.

511E is rare. 1005 is quite good but I found it to be a bit beamy. I'd use em though.

Not impressed with 329A...you can really hear the metal, I thought. Multicells are a lot more organic.
I didn't love any ALTEC cast aluminum horns but I might retry metal 32Bs if I find a pr.

Wondering about EVs myself...but note all of the above mentioned are CD (constant directionality) horns and will require EQ. Also, note the EV large format horns are 2" nominal throat(1.93"), Altec is 1.4".

Read this on EV CD horns:
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As suggested, 1803 seems a valid upgrade path from 1505s. Never had the pleasure myself.

PS: When we hear the tern "Altec cd" we think constant directionality horn, eg. Mantarays, not "Altec compression driver"

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Wondering about EVs myself...

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HR-9040............

http://community.klipsch.com/forums/...%20drawing.jpg

Well, HR-9040 is the classic EV for 288s and it is 1.3" as the spec sheet indicates.

Why not 1.4"?

Jim Long wrote these up for Sound Practices...he liked em. I forget if he was using 288s or DH1012. DH 1012, as I recall had a fully aluminum diaphragm while the other large format (2") EV had a kapton or mylar compliance.

But all of this is getting off the tried and true ALTEC path to greatness and into a mix and match orgy of off-brand stuff.

I wrote a detailed lengthy reply then forgot to push "reply"....and lost it. So here is a shorter version

Thanks Geekstar
I saw that EV paper and Jim Longs Sound Practices review. That why I mentioned EV. They seem to have a following. Altec horns are much better looking with their industrial retro look. Fibreglass just doesnt cut it anyway

So multicells are oragnic sounding? And one driver per horn is more than enough? 2 must be phenominal?

So you would have me start with 1505's. I have seen quite a few 511B's for sale and even a 311-60

Thanks to all
Alan

I'm just saying that 1505s are where I'd want to get to.

I thought the 1505 had an open breathing quality that really lured me in. The 1005 was a bit more direct and insistent. Some people might like that intensity better.

With the two rows of cells, I thought I could hear a disjunction in the vertical axis when standing up from a seated position, for example. The three row 1505s seemed extremely consistent directionally and just a huge presence of sound. Relaxed and powerful.

Are you kidding, one 288 on a big horn is insanely adequate for any domestic application! If I turned up my 1505s and put on some Jimmie Vaughan, it sounded like I was at a blues club. It was audible for at least one city block. That's on a single 300B amp, most of the time.

I would steer clear of the cast aluminum horns for home use. Some people like the cast horns and if you have them use them, I guess, but I could always hear some ringing. 329A and 311-90 --never tried 1.4" 511s. I am extremely suspicious but I'd try them if I got a chance to do so at a good price. What the heck...

There is a wide range of quality in ALTEC. Some of it is truly great, most of it is fun but only solidly medium to upper-medium quality in the grand scheme of things. For example, I would not choose any the popular 811B/511B systems but I can understand the appeal. 288/Multicells are on a different level of performance, but also size and cost.

I would get 288s and any multicell: 805, 1005, etc. and start there.

Getting this stuff is a lot harder and more expensive than it used to be. Not many killer deals online...you have to pay the more or less going price. ALTEC is very popular worldwide now.

I think the upward price shift makes the multicells a much better deal than the big aluminum horns. 329As were cool when you could find them for $75 but i would not pay big cash + shipping for a pair.

This is all my opinion and a bit single-minded, but you asked for opinions.

There is one cast aluminum horn that blows my mind and that is the square tractrix horn from the Klangfilm Eurodyn. 2" throat. It is small and sounds fabulous.

Klangfilm Eurodyn field type driver kll 301

But that is off-ALTEC

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Originally Posted by Geekstar

511B is rare.

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Not rare by any stretch of the word. 511Bs are very common, but they're for small format drivers. If you mean to say the 511E is rare, that would be true.

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Originally Posted by Audio_by_Goodwill

If you mean to say the 511E is rare, that would be true.

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Of course, this is what I meant to say. Never saw a 511E in the wild.

I changed the reference. Thanks for pointing that out!

If money not at issue, 288H and 329A.

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Originally Posted by GM

'In for a penny, in for a pound', get 1803 with it's much better pattern control and ability to be XO'd at 300 Hz. Regardless, unless horn loaded, having only a single woofer/channel is the weak link.

GM

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I agree with GM.. The woofer is the weak link.So one other thing to consider.If you plan to use large format you will need to use dual woofers or a woofer with a sub.Unless you can use a custom crossover with plenty of attenuation for the 288.The problem is the 288/1505 will be a lot more efficient than a single woofer and will play a lot louder than a single 416/515. I played around with this setup last year for a bit.I used a stock N501-8A crossover and it didn't provide enough attenuation IMO.With the crossover turned all the way down the 288 still drowned out the 416.It didn't blend well enough.A problem I'm trying to rectify with a new DIY with dual 416's.The stock crossover didn't pad the 288 down enough.If you can get the low end/crossover setup correctly the clarity is something to behold.They sound very nice.I can't wait to get mine done !

I also tried a 511E/288 with that setup and they sounded nice to me they also measured very well.

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