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Seeburg/Altec 806a

98.184.160.99
Posted on November 4, 2009 at 19:47:43
tbcblues
Audiophile

Posts: 1194
Location: OKLAHOMA
Joined: May 22, 2002
 I opened up the backs of the Seeburg speakers I got yesterday (see my post below) - can someone tell me how to separate the 806a driver from the 811b horn? I don't want to mess this up - thanks

unbolt and pull nt, posted on November 4, 2009 at 20:36:27
bcguitar
Audiophile

Posts: 334
Location: Maryland
Joined: March 2, 2005
 bc

RE: Maybe not so simple..., posted on November 5, 2009 at 08:13:23
Steve O
Audiophile

Posts: 2044
Joined: September 6, 2001
 ...Many 806/811 and other combinations of altec drivers and horns use a paperboard gasket, some with the bug screen sandwiched in there too. Over the decades the three pieces become really stuck to each other so if care isn't exercised, the gasket will pull apart internally rendering it pretty useless. I don't know of a sure fire solution to this other thn carefully prying with a plastic putty knife or similar. Even with this, the gasket doesn't always survive unscathed.

RE: Maybe not so simple..., posted on November 5, 2009 at 10:07:16
Palustris
Audiophile

Posts: 251
Location: Cape Cod
Joined: September 12, 2008
 Make sure you remove the bug screen before you re-assemble. Also you will need to cover the broad areas of the horns with Dynamat.

RE: Maybe not so simple..., posted on November 7, 2009 at 07:49:00
Tom Brennan
Audiophile

Posts: 5056
Joined: January 2, 2000
 I never heard a difference in Altec or JBL drivers pulling the screens. Altec 811s are pretty well damped just by being solidly bolted to the baffle, if more damping is desired a roll of non hardening modeling clay pressed in the lips will deaden a non mounted horn.

RE: Maybe not so simple..., posted on November 7, 2009 at 08:26:17
Palustris
Audiophile

Posts: 251
Location: Cape Cod
Joined: September 12, 2008
 I guess it is safe to say that everyone's experience is different. I have been listening to Altec A-7s for almost 10 years and that's how I prepared mine. I also made new crossovers with high quality components that were a reproduction of the original circuit.

The difference was truly wonderful. Gone was all the "steely" glare, phasiness of instruments sliding across the stage as they ascended or descended the scale, and a host of other anomalies that are blamed on the horns themselves. These few simple mods simply transform the speakers into real high end audio.

YMMV and all that. They are your speakers, do what you want with them; all I can say is what worked for me.

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