Altec Split 210 full range horn system on ebay

[Charles Chance]

The web site of this Altec 210 "innovator" is:
http://www.users.qwest.net/~ccfrye/index.htm

[Steve Burger]

Of course $2500 is a pretty expensive introduction. Especially when you could buy some A7's for $1200 to $2000.

[dennis gilliam]

The site is run by a friend of mine, Mike Frye. He is a very honest and forthright guy, and loves everything Altec and has worked in the sound field for many years. His criteria for coming up with the "split 210" was trying to get something based on an original Altec design that would be easier to use physically that either an A7 or A5.

The wooden horn is probably all he contributed to the item for sale on eBay, and that by idea only. He may have built the cabinets in the auction, I don't know.

Look at this as a viable reproducer for Hi-Fi, not as as abomination to an original Altec system. I have 210's, and each at 375 pounds and 7 feet high are rare in the home. Most 210's or 211's were cut up just to dispose of them, so saving just a piece of them is a good thing.

Besides, I have heard this type of cutdown box perform, and it is on par with an A7 with a narrower footprint. Obviously, the A7 (or5) was designed to work well, and it was a given you had the room to use them properly. Behind a movie screen or in a large sound stage environment, they are not too big at all: however, in your living room you may just have a hard time getting out of your Barcolounger with them in there. If a cutdown box will fit into your room, or please your significant other, what is the bad?

Maintain the faith, use the legacy of Western Electric/Altec at every chance and you will not be disappointed...Even if you have to **** with it a bit.

DG

[rolandr]

I guess more needs to be said about this subject.

I personally like the looks of the split 210 especially with the old 808 small multicell. I am almost tempted to go for it but as Richard very capably pointed out there would be a significant mismatch in SPL below horn output somewhere around 150 Hz. In reality this is more like an A5, A7 type system and not even as good because the vent being in the back does not allow good coherence with the horn in front and being high up does not allow floor bass reinforcement. It can be done more better by limiting rear space volume to 10 cubic feet and venting thru the bottom in the front by cutting a few inches longer. Doing so will give additional LF reinforcement from the floor (close to 1/2 space). Additional problems remain in that you are limited to older 15" frame LF drivers...so to get the best sound you may want to recone 515 frame with 8G cones although 515Bs are also very good in horns.

It seems to me a lot of work for the little benefit of smaller footprint. I would just use the 210 and reduce the height by 12" to bring the rear space to 10 cubic feet/driver(thanks JIM D). You can even go further!! By opening the upper horn flare space you can actually cut more of the bottom and still have 10 cubic feet/driver. Do not make the bottom vent too narrow. Adjust rear space accordingly start LOW and increase till speaker click sound at vent space is sharp try not to go over. (Speaker click= attach speaker terminals to 1.5 volt battery and click on and off). Reinforce it well with 2x4" on edge etc BEFORE you make any rear space adjustments. Then go with a 500 cycle horn which will fit perfectly on top. Footprint will be about the same as A5 (825,828) but with horn output down to the 60s Hz and sensitivity matching the large format at about 110 dB/watt. For bottom feeders like me these cabinets can sometimes be had for little....$20 the last one. Like I said this "guy does not know any better" plus he should not have mentioned his E bay ad here!!!!

[stpower]

Hi Roland,
I agree with you, if going with the 210, go all the way. I am using 210 enclosures with the mods Dickinson recommends, with very good results. If you have the floor space and a wide room, I recommend using the enclosure in the 211-type position. This gives floor coupling to the horn, aligns both woofers on axis, and allows the HF horn to be at ear height. No one has mentioned the fact that the wings Altec used on the 210 also provided bracing for the 5 foot mouth sides.
When removed you MUST reinforce these as Mr. Fryre mentions. Using the upper horn flare area to reduce cabinet size is a good idea, I never thought of this! You probably could shave off another 6 inches. Yes,if you like the A7/A-5 you will like this A-4, the larger horn makes a big difference.
Regards,
stpower