Hi all. New boy here. Been fascinated by horns for years but never had the wherewithal to get a set. I have been playing with large driver, large cabinet speakers for a good while now and really appreciate the effortless power they produce. 15" Tannoy Berkeley's (Alnico!!) where my first (I still miss the smooth presentation) and since then its been DIY all the way, ending up with a pair of onken based 12" fullrangers at the moment.

I have been reading up all I can about the 802/806/808/902/811/511.......

I have available at the moment

806a-16 with 811b - In UK ?475
808 converted to 802-8g with either NOS 511b or preloved 511b - IN Europe ?440 with NOS horns
802-8g with 811b - In US ?395 including postage but not import taxes
902-8b - In UK ?240

In terms of initial cost vs. physical return I think the set from the US seems to make more sense as they are the most original unmolested set. But I have concerns (might not be real tho) that Alnico mags need to be re-magnetised as they age. From what I've read, the 902 is the more modern (1980's), non Alnico (no remag issue) and has the better U/HF but requires a higher xover of say 1200Hz and a decent slope to prevent overpower damage at lower frequencies. So the 902 seems a good buy from the sense of age and age related deterioration.

This will be a DIY effort and horns will be built into a cabinet for WAF - thats actually the only way I can get them to pass muster - that and buying new carpet and sofa

I value HF extension and smoothness but must have SNAP in the midrange and so will use a 10" or 8" cone for that

Please help me decide based on your REAL LIFE experience which would be the best buy