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New A7s! Need advice.

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Posted on December 23, 2016 at 19:13:48
samoore
Audiophile

Posts: 296
Joined: December 22, 1999
Picked up a nice pair of Altec A7s yesterday. My first Altecs! I have some questions if anyone would be so kind to help me out. The Drivers are 802-D8 on the 511b horns and 416-8A woofers. Plywood construction. They do not seem to be a matching pair, if you look at the 802-8A driver pics you will see the badges are very different looking. Otherwise, they seem to be identical by outward appearances. I have read on here that bracing/dampening the horns and cabinets is key to good sound, as well as adjusting the woofer vent size to dial in the base. Please see attached pics and make any comments you think might help me learn about these cool speakers.















Remember, it's all about the music.

 

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RE: New A7s! Need advice., posted on December 23, 2016 at 20:20:08
je2a3
Audiophile

Posts: 308
Location: PA
Joined: July 15, 2003
I wouldn't worry too much about the cosmetic difference between the two drivers. They came from different production batches but essentially the two motor units are the same. However, the diaphragms fitted need to be identical. You can access the diaphragms by removing the three screws of the back cover. Just be careful with this operation since diaphragms are fragile. Take photos of the diaphragm so that we can see what type they are.

For hifi use, aluminum diaphragms are considered to be the better option. Modern replacements built to the same standards as the original Altec are available from Great Plains Audio for about $100/shipped each.

Happy holidays!

JE

 

I'll check the diaphragms..., posted on December 24, 2016 at 08:36:47
samoore
Audiophile

Posts: 296
Joined: December 22, 1999
to make sure they are the same, then upgrade to the aluminum later. Thanks!!

Steve
Remember, it's all about the music.

 

Slow yourself down some......., posted on December 24, 2016 at 13:35:48
drlowmu
Manufacturer

Posts: 9730
Location: East of Kansas City
Joined: January 10, 2005
Do not be in too much of a rush!!!! You are, its human nature .

If you send the drivers back to GPA, they will be able to re-magnetize them, and clean the gaps, and install new 8 Ohm ( not 16 ) diaphragms. I had them do that to my pair.

Re-magged gets full high frequency extension. Only I was NEW, like you, and had them mistakenly put in 16 Ohms, when 8 Ohms sound better, less turns on voice coil, better high end. I didn't know that then, was in a hurry like you are now.

I have some very well thought out, conservative, non-invasive, typically reversible suggestions for you. I asked you to phone me. Got my number??

Jeff

 

RE: Slow yourself down some......., posted on December 24, 2016 at 16:51:25
samoore
Audiophile

Posts: 296
Joined: December 22, 1999
Hi Jeff,

Good advice, I tend to get excited and I have too much time on my hands being off work for the holidays. I can be reached at samoore0@yahoo.com or call/text at 31seven-6two6-7five1five.

Steve
Remember, it's all about the music.

 

RE: Slow yourself down some......., posted on December 27, 2016 at 00:33:44
horny
Audiophile

Posts: 745
Location: holland
Joined: October 17, 2003
The woofers are 16 ohm
you must change the crossover also if you put 8 ohm in the drivers.

 

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