Altec 806A diaphragms...WHICH?

[Crazy Joe]

Ok, I know I'm a total newcomer here and the solution to my dilemma might be ridiculously obvious, but here goes...

I recently bought a pair of Altec 811B horns w/ blown 16-ohm 806A drivers. I don't know what to do about replacing these diaphragms! I know there is a wide variety of aftermarket and OEM diaphragms out there, but I don't know if any of them will give me what I want.

I use tube amplifiers with push-pull triode-connected 807's for about 15W (occasionally softly-clipped). I'm using original 50's JBL D130's for woofers and plan to use at least a second-order x-over at 1000 Hz. Efficiency and midrange clarity are obviously MUCH more important to me than power handling. Are the new Altec replacements out there like the originals?

The reason I'm gunshy about this is that I recently had a VERY bad experience with an original signature-series Jim Lansing D130 that was reeconed with the current JBL part...and it sounded TERRIBLE! Less efficient with a foul, harsh upper midrange. So I'm VERY cautious about "new and improved" speaker designs!

Anyone out there that can help me? I've even heard about these Esoteric Audio diaphragms with gold plating! WHAT DO I DO?!?!

Crazy Joe

[Todd W. White]

Welcome to the world of high-quality audio!

There is much chicanery and mis-information out there.

Let me give it to you STRAIGHT -

Your 806 was a smaller, less efficient driver than the 802, BUT it is still an EXCELLENT driver! For the BEST sonic performance possible, I would unhesitatingly recommend that you send the drivers to Great Plains Audio for a rebuild. They do not charge anymore to do the rebuild when you buy their diaphragms, and they will do it RIGHT!

GPA is owned and operated by former Altec employees - they bought the Altec tooling when Telex closed them down, and make PERFECT replacement diaphragms for your driver! You will NOT have ANY problems with them AT ALL!

The diaphragm I would personally recommend that you have GPA install is the same as it came with originally, GPA Part #34852. This is the same diaphragm used in the 16-ohm Altec 802-16G drivers, so you can't go wrong.

A word about the "other" replacement diaphragms available out there - I DO NOT TRUST THEM! And, while it certainly IS true that you can buy diaphragms from lots of places, but remember this: if you go ANYWHERE else but GPA, you're taking your proverbial life into your own hands, if you know whatI mean.....

Use Great Plains Audio - they will NOT let you down.

Here's the link to GPA's website - check them out!

Great Plains Audio Homepage

[Russellc]

He is right, great plaines is the place to have them made right again. I sent them my 515 woofers and they came back like new. The most amazing thing was that they were only gone a week and a half! Talk about fast turn around...

Good luck,
Russellc

[Crazy Joe]

Gentlemen,

Your support and expertise are GREATLY appreciated. I spoke with Mr. Hanuschak at Great Plains, an unbelievably friendly, helpful fellow. The units are in transit. I will give a full report as soon as I get them in working order.

Thanks again.

Crazy Joe

[scott fitlin]

Thats the right move. Bill,s work is reasonably priced and his craftsmanship is excellent, and his parts are genuine!

So, GPA is the move!

[Mirrophonic Sound System]

Hi Crazy:
Here's the rule-of-thumb for diaphragms:

Must be pre-1978 SCREW-TYPE-TERMINAL
Not later push-clip type terminal units

Same applies for 288 diaphragms

[Crazy Joe]

Well, it's funny you should mention that, because I've heard two diametrically-opposite reports. Some folks claim the old ones are better, but others claim that as long as you use the 'low-powered' replacement (in my case, #34852, as Mr. White suggested), the new ones are just as efficient and actually have better transient response. I haven't heard anything about the high-powered versions. Mr. White, care to de-bunk this as fact or myth?

Crazy Joe

[GM]

Hmm, when my older series alum diaphragms got popped in the mid '80s by a CB radio drive-by spike I installed the later 900 series with the push on terminals. They sound better, with more HF extension and ~112dB eff., so I don't understand the need for pre-78 diaphragms.

Mine were originally 808-8As, but I don't see why this would make any difference.

GM

[Mirrophonic Sound System]

Crazy Joe wrote:

"...I'm VERY cautious about 'new and improved' speaker designs"

Your caution is well founded; the best compression drivers were
made before WWII !