Impact of using small horn for an 802 compression driver?

[robertbartsch]

So if I use a small horn for an Altec 802 driver like the one linked below, I should expect to loose some lower end frequency response? Would this horn and driver combination be suitible crossed over at, say at 1.2Hz to 1.6 Hz? Should I consider going higher than this?


4" x 10" Horn Midrange Speaker 280-050


Are there any other adverse affects of using a small horn when compared to the standard factory VOTT 1" horns (411, 811??) used in larger sized cabinets?

Thanks....

[robertbartsch]

I'm reading the Zilch econowave thread, but frankly, it is way over my head...

[Cal Weldon]

If you haven't already purchased the horn it might be wise to stick the the Altec 811 sectoral. Does it have to be as small as the one shown? If it does maybe consider looking through PE and finding a two bolt 1" that meets your needs. Here's the general area:

1" bolt on horn - Parts Express Ships Fast and Ships Free

This one is small and economical:

Dayton Audio H812 1" Exponential Horn 100x60 2-Bolt 270-304

If you don't find a bolt on horn you like here is an adapter for a screw on.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=290-562

[Earl K]

I'm reading the Zilch econowave thread, but frankly, it is way over my head...

It's over most peoples heads ( unless they have a keen interest in DIY ).

I suggest you stick to the tried & true paths ( forget about foraging around for parts at P.E. that somehow catch your eye ) .

Zilch quite clearly mapped out many paths to sonic satisfaction ( a couple included some Altec parts ) .

Your best off to search them out and ask questions about incorporating the ideas ( that Zilch laid out in those threads ) along with your own box ( or favourite driver ) .

[GM]

So if I use a small horn for an Altec 802 driver like the one linked below, I should expect to loose some lower end frequency response? Would this horn and driver combination be suitible crossed over at, say at 1.2Hz to 1.6 Hz? Should I consider going higher than this?


4" x 10" Horn Midrange Speaker 280-050


Are there any other adverse affects of using a small horn when compared to the standard factory VOTT 1" horns (411, 811??) used in larger sized cabinets?

Thanks....

Correct, plus the polar response will be different. Also, unless it was designed for Altec drivers, then odds are the driver/horn throat transition won't be all that good, limiting HF response and causing additional reflections back at the driver that damping the mouth won't cure, so unless limited to a mids/lower HF app, it may not sound all that great, i.e. strictly 'low rent' PA.

GM

[Old Guy]

Robert, suitable for what? Cheap Chinese horns are a crap shoot. Some are good some are bad, some are very bad. Even if you get one good one a second one can have a rubbing coil. IMHO a serious person doesn't look at junk. If you just want to fool around, buy them. Might as well buy a cheap woofer too. In the end it won't be worth your work.

Generally, a smaller horn has to have a higher xover. But you have asked an incredibly oversimplified question. A LOT MORE to horn design than size. For instance a 120 and a 60 degree horn COULD be close to the same size. A 500 Hz and a 1200 Hz in different designs could be close to the same size.

I would REALLY like to keep discussions about 20 dollar horns off the board, with maybe the exception of decent cheap tweeters. This IS an Altec board not DIY El Cheapo Audio. If a plastic horn works well with an Altec driver, OK, by all means post results. But buy a 20 dollar driver/ mid horn combo and that is what you will get.

For a small horn the GPA Mantaray is 20 bucks. Why look at anything else?

[voice of the theater]

For a small horn the GPA Mantaray is 20 bucks. Why look at anything else?

Hello Robert--good to see you back here on the board. Have you seen the latest AS 101 thread? As a fellow former owner of Heathkit AS 101's, I thought you might be enjoying it. BTW, I also highly recommend the GPA Mantaray horn. It is the same as the vintage Altec mantaray horn that's in my Model 14's and it sounds amazing as well as having an incredible dispersion pattern

[cradeldorf]

802's are the HF driver on early 604's and they had small horns.... The horns you posted from Parts express seem to have good reviews and the fact that they're cast aluminum should make them not seem so cheap..

[Old Guy]

802's are the HF driver on early 604's and they had small horns.... The horns you posted from Parts express seem to have good reviews and the fact that they're cast aluminum should make them not seem so cheap..

Those reviews are largely from beginners. One mentions came with a broken VC lead that had to be resoldered. Another says sounds like crap at 800 should be crossed at 3000.

In my view very suspect product. Any clue how many zillion Chinese horns are out there? Please lets keep them off the board. There are plenty of DIY boards.

PS- betcha 50 bucks you pair this horn with an Altec woof you will fry it.

[Cal Weldon]

There seems to be confusion here. Robert says he wants to use an 802. The link he has shown is for a complete tweeter. I think he showed it for an example only. No it doesn't look good for an 802 but the link to the Dayton lens in post 3 might be ok.