consistent

Getting some real good stuff, thanks to you all for your help. I have been to the Marchand sight and is pretty impressive but I see that Rane have now an AC 24 Active Crossover which looks like it does everything for (as I understand) a little more than Marchand's top network, even a knob for horns!

Oops, I mean Rane...I had just been poking around the 'Fane' site. Some of the Rane gear looks very much high end (EQ/Dealys etc) but I like the idea of starting with analog first. I have already 'split' my Khorn with an amp for the mid/top and another for the bottom each with their own pot/pre. What a diff that makes! So I can see how going to an active network with separate amps would be the 'bees knees'. Cheers

Thanks for your replies. Anyone had experience with Fane gear? What are some of the better actives around? Cheers

Thanks Bruce, So you put a pre upfront that takes lines from cd et al, then feed to the active, makes sense. Are there any active networks that have have their own pots to control volume thus avoiding a pre? Also reading Rod Elliot's work I don't fully understand how you would deal with a 16ohm driver, a 4ohm and an 8ohm in a 3 way, like if I wanted to 'activate' a Khorn. Cheers Steve

Hi All, Me not being too technically minded, I was wondering how an active filter/network actually does its job? If you employ one of these devices does it feed from a source (say a CD player) then provide output to an amp and the amp then feeds direct to a speaker (without a network)? Does this mean if you have a Khorn (3 way) you will require 3 amps to feed woofer, mid and tweet? How do you control the different resistance loads each speaker puts up or is there a mechanism in the active crossover to assist, say a 'pot' of some sort, or does each amp require a pre-amp? Anyhow your help with these Q'S would be very much appreciated Thanks

Hi I have now built 4 pairs of tractrix horns using ALK/Edgar briefings. It is the best thing you can do to your Khorns even using the K55. I used MDF and high quality cardboard in a multilayer config for the sides. Much cheaper than ALK, maybe not as pretty. I have built a pair for my Altec 288's and am impressed, they actually sound better that the 311 and 811B I matched them against. Another trick which AL suggests (actually EV) is to stand the K77 tweet in the vertical plane (instead of how it lies horizontal in the box). The final trick is to make sure the top end (mid & high) point to your listening postion. The ratio you use will depend on your room and what you like to hear. Becuase of the small room I am in I have left the base bins in the corner (good corners are important), taken the 'top hat' off and put my own top hat on where I am better able to 'point' mid/high to my listening position. I am now driving the top end and bottom end between 2 10w amps: sheer in-your-face pleasure! I have a spare pair of tractrix lenses I built for a guy that ended up not wanting them (went to Altec) if you are interested. Good luck

Try using another amp, you'll know soon enough. What sort of treatments do you have in your listening room. Heavy furnishings with deep soft materials will absorb a fair amount of top end. Cheers

Ok, I have done a 'quick & dirty' intro of the 288 to my Khorns fixed behind a tractrix horn (Edgar). What a sound! These beasts certainly introduce a presence that the smaller K55 is unable to achieve but still the K55 is not a bad driver. It has micro details that the big Altec lacks but makes up for in presence and naturalness. I think the Altecs are a few db above the rating of the Khorn and I guess I would need some sort of attenuation. Yes I know to do a proper job I would need to take out the AK4 network and put something better in its place that would accomodate the Altec but I am looking (at this stage) for a quick fix. I have taken off the top hat of the Khorn and built my own so that I can configure the Crites tweeter and the Altec. The Altec is pushed as far back against the corner as it can go and the tweeter is more forward, vertical and right of the tractrix both angled to the listening position. I have spent some time using my ears to configure their placement, which is just awesome! Further fiddling with attenuation would help. Any ideas/suggestions, I'm also trying to find a 311 lens. Thanks guys

I'm with Bob, get a bigger mouth for your mid driver but also do the same for your Khorns. The Khorns with a tractrix will blow you away! I have built a few tractrix horns and its not all that hard. I had the CW'S many years ago and like you found the mid range wanting and I think back in those days was the same mid horn as a Heresy. I did like the CW's bass, then I got Forte II's and found the bass was better but not as efficient. Anyhow start to tinker and you'll get even more enjoyment. Good luck

Thansk for the tip...it works

Hi All, I have my Altec 288's firing but at certain frequencies the bug screen on one of them resonates (rattles). I know it is the screen as the diaphragm is fine and when I put my fingers around the screen the resonance stops. Anybody had any experience with getter the screen out, little bugger! Cheers

Thanks for you comments. I would like to cross it at a lower point (400hz) but I would need to find the horn that could do this. I read the 288 is a 500hz driver. I have tried the 'mouth to horn' test, the k401 is a shocker when comparing against a tractrix! Cheers

Hi, I have updated with new 'phrams (thanks djk) they work fine now. What are the best horns to use with these drivers? I am using a 2" tractrix but I think it is not the horn for this driver, too boomy! Cheers

Thanks for your help guys. There are a couple sold on the net for about $54 plus shipping...all aftermarket. Cheers

Hi Guys, Anyone had experience wiith these Altecs? I have got a pair given to me to try in a 2 way project, one has distortion and the other seems fine. I have pulled the lids off and the diagphrams are different in each and I think they are 8 ohms and not 16. One measures 7.1 and the other 5.7 ohms DC. They both look all right visually but I am no expert. Is it possible to slip in new after market phrams and who would be the best source? I have also read on the Altec site that some of these required a 'kit' before a new fit, not sure what that means? Is there anything else that could go wrong other than the phrams (they have the tangerine phase plug)? They are big and heavy buggers! Thanks

Altmann BYOB - a match made in heaven for the Khorn (only 10w) but not cheap per w!

Bob Crites has run the numbers on all of these and can access new drivers if you need 'em Cheers

...anybody know why....??

I've got the AK4 what's the difference bewteen it and the AK5 - is it noticeable? Why the change? Cheers

horses and courses! I avoid all the hype, bull and general sci-fi (specs). I do listen to what others say and then go and try things myself, making up my own mind. I like Bob think the Sonicaps, whatever crap they use inside, are a bloodygood cap compared with alot of other (more expensive) crap!

I have had experience with a number of caps and Sonicaps are the best 'bang for buck', to my ears and a few mates of mine at least. Try this guy http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Cap.html

Hi, Parts Express did stock at one stage. But you may find a couple of non-working 15" and just knock off the magnet

I remember Parts Express stocking a few. Failing that go to you local electronics repairer he may have a few broken 15's where your just 'knock off' the magnet and you have a passive.

Thanks guys, I don't have any wordworking skills to mention more patience but I have thought of looking at making some jubs using a guy I know that has these skills, if I decide not to knock up a square box (that I can do). The crossover is a very impotant link and I like the idea of an active network Cheers

Thanks Guys, I have built a tractrix horn for a 1" and a 2" driver and am looking at the 'used option' first but it may well be more appropriate to go new. I am using the 1" with my K55X'S (Khorn) at the minute and having superior results over the std K401. I am contemplating a bottom end build with either a 2 way or 3 way config (all horns) to compliment the Khorns. Probably look at a Cornwall design or LS but with a better top end. I'd love to own or build some Jubs but out of my ball park at the minute. I would have to sell my Khorns and I just don't want to do it! I can get hold of some Altecs 288 16k or the C model, any thoughts on these. The K's are big buggers!