bluesboy Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 I have a pair of corner horn speakers that I built myself. The crossovers are ALK designed.The speakers are currently equipped with K-401 horns and K-55 drivers.I am thinking about switching to Altec 811B horns and 808 8A drivers.Can I do this without modifing the crossovers? I'm also thinking about replacing the T-35 tweeters with Beyma CP-25s. DIY Corner Horns,McIntosh C-26,McIntosh 2505,Micro-Seiki DD-40 TT with Grado reference master,Pioneer RT-909 reel to reel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-MAN Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 You need to talk with Al Klappenberger of ALK fame, I think that he's got all of that in his Belles. DM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 What crossover frequency were you planning on using? 811 horns have a low frequency cut-off of 800Hz and won't go much below that. Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q-Man Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 No for the reason above. You can't crossover the LaScala or Klipschorn that high. I say LaScala, or Klipschorn because you say 400 horn. What bass horn cabinet are you using? Altec horn numbers give you a hint to the low frequency cut off of the horn. 811 is 800Hz, 511 is 500Hz, 311 is 300Hz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesboy Posted January 19, 2005 Author Share Posted January 19, 2005 I'm using a Klipschorn bass bin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-MAN Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 Q-man and Rick are both excellent resources on this subject. The Beyma CP-25 is reputed to be a hands-down improvement over the stock EV T-35 tweeter. I know Al K. is using them on his Belles for sure. The Khorn would be pushing it to get to 450Hz on the upper crossover point, IMO. I know that the new 2004's are rated at having a 450Hz crossover at a 6db slope, but previously, the "accepted" value was 400Hz or a bit lower like 375Hz. DM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Klappenberger Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 Bluesboy, The network is fine, but like the guys are saying, the 811b is only good to a but below 800 Hz. I have them in my Belles and cross them at 700. You need the Altec 511b horn instead. It will work ok at 400 Hz. I know of several people who have made than change. You won't regret it! Al K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 Al, Did you ever plot an Altec 808 in a K-400? How about a University SA-H? Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesboy Posted January 20, 2005 Author Share Posted January 20, 2005 Hey Al, What driver would you recommend for the 511B horn? I noticed you used JBL drivers in your Belles. Thanks,Bluesboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Klappenberger Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 Guys, The only comparison plots I did was of the K55 on an Altec 511b horn versus on a K501 (Belle) horn. It was to prove that the 511b would go below 500 Hz down to 400. It will! Yes, I use JBL 2426h drivers on 811b horns in my Belles. I do NOT recommend that combination. The JBL driver has a continuous roll off. I had to "eq" the tar out of it just to get it to go flat up to 7500 Hz where I crossed it over to the tweeter. I still think the best driver for the Khorn is the later K55V or K55M. For the Belle you can do better. I suggest a new Altec 902 from Great Plans Audio. They are making new ones for original Altec tools. The original K55 is still good enough though. The weak point is that K501 and K401 horn itself! Al K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 "The weak point is that K501 and K401 horn itself!" Alas, those of us saddled by SWMBO and WAF to the K-400 must still seek nervana! Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Klappenberger Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 Rick, Take heart, there will soon be an answer to the WAF and the horn upgrade! That is all I'll say for now! Al K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IB Slammin Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 ---------------- On 1/20/2005 8:40:10 AM Al Klappenberger wrote: Guys, The only comparison plots I did was of the K55 on an Altec 511b horn versus on a K501 (Belle) horn. It was to prove that the 511b would go below 500 Hz down to 400. It will! Yes, I use JBL 2426h drivers on 811b horns in my Belles. I do NOT recommend that combination. The JBL driver has a continuous roll off. I had to "eq" the tar out of it just to get it to go flat up to 7500 Hz where I crossed it over to the tweeter. I still think the best driver for the Khorn is the later K55V or K55M. For the Belle you can do better. I suggest a new Altec 902 from Great Plans Audio. They are making new ones for original Altec tools. The original K55 is still good enough though. The weak point is that K501 and K401 horn itself! Al K. ---------------- Al, While you are on the subject...... Been using 511b/902-16a on top of 75' Cornwall bins. I just got hold (next week) of some ALK B X-overs. I would like to try a K-55/511b combo running them down to 400 Hz. Would the mod to your boards be tough? Thanks, Terry Still using the K-77...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Klappenberger Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 Terry, My type "B" network for the Cronwall is fixed at on crossover frequency and one set of levels. Changing either one is vertually impossible without a total redesign! Sorry. Al K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.4knee Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 ---------------- On 1/20/2005 11:02:47 AM Al Klappenberger wrote: Rick, Take heart, there will soon be an answer to the WAF and the horn upgrade! That is all I'll say for now! Al K. ---------------- Tease! I am interested in mating my K55M to an Altec 511 but have been having trouble finding them. What are the physical dimmensions for the horn. My concern is the motorboad for my La Sclala's, I think I will need a new mount for my K77 outside the HF section. Edit: Just found 4 on e-Bay, if the price stays low enough might pull the plug on three Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Klappenberger Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 J.4, Yes, the 511 takes up the entire top front of the LaScala. It's as if the 511 was made for it! I suggest mounting the tweeter in the very top in one side of the woofer horn mouth. It won't interfere with the woofer at all. Tease, (alius Al K.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfogg Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 " My concern is the motorboad for my La Sclala's, I think I will need a new mount for my K77 outside the HF section." The K77 won't fit if you mount the 511 on the motorboard of the LaScala. It would have to be mounted externally. See: http://forums.klipsch.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=53469 Shawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Spinner Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 you will love the 511/ 902 driver combo, with maybe an ev 350, or beyma tweeter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.4knee Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 Regarding the 511 change I have a split center, I think I am going to by a single horn and build a new HF box for it to A/B and decide from there. I am reluctant to make a change I cannot undue other than refinishing my La Scala cabinets in new veneer. As far as the JBL/Beyma tweeters go, I am less certain about that. I have never been a fan of aluminum or titanium tweeters. My experiences have found them a little too bright and crisp. While the K77 does not extend as far as the aforementioned tweeters, it is a little more toned down/mellower by comparison? Now whether that is something I have accepted and learned to live with over time or just naturally prefer I cant say, but I am fond of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Spinner Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 ok .. point taken .. whaddabout the EV 350t biradial ..?? i have these .. i don't view them as overly bright ... but then ... i don't have your Ears .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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