Talk Me Out of Chopping My 828's
The biting reality is that i'm not getting any younger. Thirty years of moving pianos and PA gear, and playing too hard on power toys has taken it's toll on my left shoulder, my back, both knees, and now i'm having trouble with an ankle.
In a rare moment of clear thought and rationality i am strongly tempted to move the 210 cabinets along to a new owner and effectively abandon any future large format project. Altec board members get first dibs, there's a pair of MR94A's to go with them, i'm thinking 400 for the lot. :D
As much as i'd like to keep the 210's and eventually complete a large format system, it is just too unrealistically far down the list of priorities. I am also concerned with future flooding, and having recently parted ways with long time local moving help i am now a one man show. The 210's are currently stored in my climate controlled garage/workshop which is not flood safe, and i really have no high ground to get them to in the event the worst happens again.
So, i'm thinking of lopping off the reflex portion of my 828's, rendering them the permanent mid-bass element of an active 3 way system. I don't fully enjoy A7/A5 without some sort of reinforcement for the lowest octaves which kind of renders the reflex portion of the box as excess baggage for me. The smaller cabinets should allow me to be able to continue handling them for several years to come, and should offer some flexibility in setting up and re-arranging my listening space at the "new place". If worse comes to worse, i can always build another pair of full size 828's.
Thoughts?
Opinions?
Need directions where to come with your truck?
Re: Talk Me Out of Chopping My 828's
After you lop off the bottom of your 828's, won't you have to build stands to raise your butchered cabs back up to ear level anyway? If nothing else, modify them into two piece detachable units. I have been busy putting soft grey 2" caster wheels under all of my heavy stuff. About 40 so far.
Re: Talk Me Out of Chopping My 828's
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After you lop off the bottom of your 828's, won't you have to build stands to raise your butchered cabs back up to ear level anyway?
They'll sit on top of low frequency cabinets.
FWIW, these are 828's i scratch built, not historically significant factory cabinets.
Re: Talk Me Out of Chopping My 828's
Why are you even asking? I mean this is a 'no brainer' IMNSHO/E and if finances isn't the main reason for not going the large format route, then plan to make or cut down two more 828 cabs [no 816 style vents on any of them] and we'll work out the rest based on any budget, equipment, room, woodworking limitations when the Winter weather forces me indoors.
GM
Re: Talk Me Out of Chopping My 828's
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bowtie427ss
The biting reality is that i'm not getting any younger. Thirty years of moving pianos and PA gear, and playing too hard on power toys has taken it's toll on my left shoulder, my back, both knees, and now i'm having trouble with an ankle.
In a rare moment of clear thought and rationality i am strongly tempted to move the 210 cabinets along to a new owner and effectively abandon any future large format project. Altec board members get first dibs, there's a pair of MR94A's to go with them, i'm thinking 400 for the lot. :D
As much as i'd like to keep the 210's and eventually complete a large format system, it is just too unrealistically far down the list of priorities. I am also concerned with future flooding, and having recently parted ways with long time local moving help i am now a one man show. The 210's are currently stored in my climate controlled garage/workshop which is not flood safe, and i really have no high ground to get them to in the event the worst happens again.
So, i'm thinking of lopping off the reflex portion of my 828's, rendering them the permanent mid-bass element of an active 3 way system. I don't fully enjoy A7/A5 without some sort of reinforcement for the lowest octaves which kind of renders the reflex portion of the box as excess baggage for me. The smaller cabinets should allow me to be able to continue handling them for several years to come, and should offer some flexibility in setting up and re-arranging my listening space at the "new place". If worse comes to worse, i can always build another pair of full size 828's.
Thoughts?
Opinions?
Need directions where to come with your truck?
I did just what you are considering, to a pair of 828 clones built to factory specs. I run the chopped cabs down to about 180-200 hz., where my sub/lower woofer takes over. I have not regretted it, yet if they had been factory Altec cabs that would be a different story. For below 180hz. I'm considering building a PPSL (push-pull-slot-loaded) sub built to the same width as the 828. Currently using an EV TL5050 folded horn (from the Sentry IV) loaded with a pair of LAB 12's as the bottom cab. If you were closer I'd come get you 210's!
Re: Talk Me Out of Chopping My 828's
Hey Tom I may be interested in at least one of your 210's, maybe both depending on how long I have to pick them up. As previously demonstrated, I can only fit one at a time in the vehicles available to me. And if you don't want to chop your 828s, I have an extra pair of 816s gathering dust....
Re: Talk Me Out of Chopping My 828's
Age gets the best of us. Good luck with whatever you do. Nothing felt better to me than dumping those 200 lb cabs and 604's for a pair of simple open baffles.
Re: Talk Me Out of Chopping My 828's
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bowtie427ss
In a rare moment of clear thought and rationality i am strongly tempted to move the 210 cabinets along to a new owner and effectively abandon any future large format project.
As much as i'd like to keep the 210's and ...
moment of clear thought and rationality?
Re: Talk Me Out of Chopping My 828's
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Why are you even asking?
I just needed a nudge over the fence. Your input is/will be GREATLY appreciated GM. We will revisit this in coming weeks for sure.
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I did just what you are considering, to a pair of 828 clones built to factory specs..........
I'm pretty well committed to the idea.
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Hey Tom I may be interested in at least one of your 210's, maybe both depending on how long I have to pick them up.
Ya gotta take em both. I think it'd be possible to break one down such that it could be properly reassembled.
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And if you don't want to chop your 828s, I have an extra pair of 816s gathering dust....
Appreciate that A, but chopped 825/828 has an advantage in mouth area and non parallel horn sides.
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moment of clear thought and rationality?
I got them driverless, and haven't had an opportunity to load them with proper components although a pair of 515B went thru here a few months ago. Flooding in '06, and again in '11 have rendered my man cave unusable, and the new mancave is still a blueprint with too many priorities between it and a quad of 515's.
If the means come along down the road after i'm settled in the new place, i have the skills to build a pair to the revised dimensions that would accept new GPA drivers in the 16 inch frames.
Re: Talk Me Out of Chopping My 828's
Do it! It's a project. A new project, and new projects are always fun!
I agree with your thoughts on the lower octaves.
They bonk at 240hz and are weak below about 80hz.
I just sold mine. The living room grew in size!
Ron
Re: Talk Me Out of Chopping My 828's
As one thing I have learned is that everything changes.. Go For it ! As you said they aren't factory units so have some fun..
