Rerurn to Romy the Cat's Site
In the Forum: Horn-Loaded Speakers
In the Thread: Altec Model 19 in Boston.
Post Subject: A More Rigorous ExpositionPosted by Paul S on: 5/18/2010
fiogf49gjkf0d
That about re-caps the Altec X/O issues in terms of range. Regarding the X/Os themselves in terms of sound, they eat power and the are wildly non-linear, at least with the non-dedicated amps of the day and into the 70's.
I'd like to add that I cut my horn teeth on the old 811 horns, and they wound up conditioning the way I hear horns ever since. This horn sounds like a horn up and down its range, shaping the sound with vowels that vary with frequency and SPL while adding its own metallic cast in case the vowel sounds do not bother you. Also, no way is the 811 horn suited to go down to 800 Hz, like it did with my A7s, and the 511 horn is not suited to go down to 500 Hz. We made our own tar 511s to use at 800 Hz, but, as mentioned previously, this X/O does not tie in with the bins, at all.
I have not used the 802, but I did have the 808s. They are ragged, spitty and non-linear throughout their range, with HF that is worthless over 10k (it begins spiraling and sputtering, out of control, then tails right off...). If the 808s might be used, they want "tweaking", for sure. I never figured it out. Stock units are painful and unnerving on axis.
Best regards,
Paul SRerurn to Romy the Cat's Site