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Altec vs TAD 2001 drivers

195.36.3.2
Posted on October 30, 2009 at 05:40:55
sergio_p
 I own a system with Altec components (802-8G driver + 811b + 414-8C woofer in a 614 bass reflex cabinet) and I would like to improve it.
I am thinking to chance the 802-8G driver with TAD 2001 drivers.
What do you think? Is it a right change to improve the system?
Which sound differences between TAD and Altec drivers?
Which shops in the world do they sell new or second-hand or demo TAD 2001 drivers at good prices?

Thanks
Sergio
Milano, Italy

RE: Altec vs TAD 2001 drivers, posted on November 10, 2009 at 16:07:50
joaquin.chile
Audiophile

Posts: 4
Location: Viña del Mar
Joined: September 19, 2009
 Hi Sergio ,

This is Joaquín from Chile , the 802 8G is a very nice driver , the vintage metal horns where not designed for hi end but for theaters , there´s no way to make them sound as good as others . Ive had the 811 and 511 , ill try dampings with different materials and paintings . Dont go that way youll end up hating the horn . The best horns from A.L you can match for the 802 8G are the mantaray from model 14 ( very clean ) and the 32B . The mantaray will fix perfect in the 2 bolt system . No resonation , very , very little coloration . Away ahead from all vintage metal horns .
Im trying some 650hz Tractrix from Bruce . If you want the mantarays let me know .

RE: Altec vs TAD 2001 drivers, posted on October 31, 2009 at 09:54:32
jweiss
Manufacturer

Posts: 366
Location: Pennsylvania
Joined: November 1, 2000
 I agree with JLH, you should be focusing on your horn, rather than the driver. The 811 is a very poor sounding horn IMO. You could take a look at Bill's conicals over at Acoustic Horn Company, for example, or purchase one of the reasonably priced tractrix horns which are sold on Ebay (does the German still sell those, under the JABO name?)

The TAD are metallic sounding; I'd stay with your Altecs.

Jonathan
RE: Altec vs TAD 2001 drivers, posted on November 1, 2009 at 23:57:35
PK
Audiophile

Posts: 440
Joined: April 6, 2001
 Hi Jonathan and Sergio,

Just to clarify regarding the circular shaped german horns sold on Ebay:
The horns from StereoLab have a tractrix contour, whereas the Jabo horns have en exponential curvature.

For the record: I am not affiliated with any of these manufacturers....

Best regards
Peter
RE: Altec vs TAD 2001 drivers, posted on October 30, 2009 at 08:55:29
Wojciech
Audiophile

Posts: 45
Joined: June 23, 2009
 Can't say for small format comparison ,but I briefly listened to TD4001 vs Altec 288c (TAd in 340 Hz trax and 288c in 550 Modified trax (lecleach)
TAD's are little "indifferent" sounding ,very clean ,precize and quite smooth.Everything seems to be there ,impressive detail and scale but somehow I don't find myself focusing on music just from time to time I have this thought , "gosh it's impressive sounding " and go to do other things (web browsing;).It sounds more musical from the kitchen.TADs do make very nice background music system , altecs have more character and probably would make a more intimately musical system. I haven't seen second hand TD2001 for quite a bit but you have to be prepared to pay at least $1k for decent pair which with dollar on its knees against Euro may not be that much.

RE: Altec vs TAD 2001 drivers, posted on October 30, 2009 at 06:35:11
AstroSonic
Audiophile

Posts: 814
Location: SE Pennsylvania
Joined: January 25, 2003
 Sergio,

Very nice speakers! I can't speak to the differences between the Altec and TAD drivers, but can speak to the very substantial sonic gains resulting from damping the Altec horns, upgrading crossover parts quality and adding some CD compensation. I suspect that such gains would dwarf the sonic gains from changing to the TAD drivers on stock horns and crossovers.

OTOH, if your horns are already damped, and your crossovers contain top-grade parts, then trying the TAD drivers could be a reasonable next step. By all reports, they are top quality.

Regards,

Bob

RE: Altec vs TAD 2001 drivers, posted on October 30, 2009 at 08:22:58
zako
Audiophile

Posts: 464
Location: Mo.
Joined: March 29, 2004
 Or Altec 902

RE: Altec vs TAD 2001 drivers, posted on October 30, 2009 at 08:32:29
AstroSonic
Audiophile

Posts: 814
Location: SE Pennsylvania
Joined: January 25, 2003
 I am using a GPA version of the 902 on damped 511b horns. I find combination to be amazingly smooth, detailed, effortless and dyanmic. Damping the rear cover of the driver (a metal casting) also provided a substantial sonic gain.

Bob

RE: Altec vs TAD 2001 drivers, posted on November 2, 2009 at 16:16:31
wsn
 Agreed...damping is required in order to start taming the 511 and 811 horns. I also had to cut out the sectoral vanes on my 511 to get the amount of sound deadening that I prefer.

RE: Altec vs TAD 2001 drivers, posted on October 30, 2009 at 10:14:35
JLH
Audiophile

Posts: 639
Joined: June 25, 2000
 Changing to a more netural sounding horn will make a larger improvement in sound than buying expensive TAD drivers. The TAD TD-2001 is a nice driver, but is over valued IMO. I have found that the horn, crossover and implementation is more important that the driver components.

Rgs, JLH

RE: Altec vs TAD 2001 drivers, posted on October 31, 2009 at 06:33:00
Larry Moore
 I've owned both. The 802 and the 2001. Swapping the 802 out for the 2001 will result in an improvement. What JLH said is also true. The 902 is not quite as good as the 802, and I've also owned that - though it is extremely close. Further, I've used these with the woofers you suggest.

Here's the thing. Once you use 2001s and horns like JLH suggests, (BTW, JLH built me some tractrix horns for my 2001s) you will find that they out class the woofer section. The sound will be better than where you are, but marriage will fall apart....

Ultimately, I left there for single driver bliss.

RE: Altec vs TAD 2001 drivers, posted on October 30, 2009 at 20:23:36
AstroSonic
Audiophile

Posts: 814
Location: SE Pennsylvania
Joined: January 25, 2003
 "Changing to a more netural sounding horn will make a larger improvement in sound than buying expensive TAD drivers. "

Yes, that's why I recommended damping the 811 horn. Stock, it can be somewhat forward and 'in your face'. When damped and partnered with a good crossover it is a remarkably neutral device (although it is not 'soft-dome' neutral). It is very competitive with more recently manufactured devices. Choice is then a matter of personal preference.

RE: Altec vs TAD 2001 drivers, posted on October 30, 2009 at 15:21:29
sergio p
Audiophile

Posts: 53
Joined: April 28, 2000
 Which horn do you recommend to partner with the 802-8G driver?
The cut frequency of my crossover is about 1250 Hz

RE: Altec vs TAD 2001 drivers, posted on October 31, 2009 at 06:07:53
JLH
Audiophile

Posts: 639
Joined: June 25, 2000
 You can use a number of different horns or waveguides. A 800Hz round tractrix horn will load down to your desired 1250Hz point. You could also try any of the current conical type waveguides or the oblate spheroid. All of these will have much less coloration than your Altec horn.

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