building DIY VOTT : longtime project. where to start?

[Tralalalala]

Hi ,

I searched ebay yesterday looking for Altec multicell horns.
Just for fun.

Which multicell horn should I choose for a longtime project ?

I see that you can get a pair of Altec 511B or H-811B for around 200 USD...
I thought to myself that buying a pair of horns would be a good start.

I`m a newbie on Altec stuff. Have no idea where to go in this jungle of vintage gear ....


All help will be appreciated !


- tralalalala

[Old Guy]

In my not always humble opinion the 511 is a much better horn

They are radial/sectoral horns...but way cheaper than any multicell.

[fpitas]

My experience with the 511 is that it is indeed a good-to-excellent sounding horn...if damped properly. Mine are free-standing (no enclosure), so they don't benefit from flange damping; but a skeptical friend with his mounted in a cabinet had a similar experience, much better clarity and less coloration.

[Tralalalala]

Thanks!


The 511-B and the H-811-B are both radial horns.... OK - understand.

And the 511 is a better horn... damping : hmm... over to my next question :

There is a pair of Altec multicell horns for sale where I live. A pair of Altec 1003.


They are filled with tare and sand.

2 .They are indeed way more expensive, but are the 1003 too big ?

3. What prices do these 1003 horns go for in the US ?

[fpitas]

"Too big" is relative, of course. I'd think you'd want to have a large listening room, and listen at a distance of at least 4m from such a large horn for it to sound right. I've seen pairs of 1003Bs for as little as $1,000 USD on eBay, although the normal price is about $1,400.

[Phil-G]

for what it's worth i saw a single 511b sell for 54$ +30$ shipping last night. so theres a pretty good chance they can be had for a bit less than 200.

Altec H 511B from Vott | eBay

[Tralalalala]

Cool.

Thanks for the information !