Altec 816 Horn cases (for bass rig?)

[Arlekiin]

Hello,

So found a nice pair of horn cases for 15" drivers could these be a nice addition to a bassrig? Or are these mainly used for PA's?

If you find these to be good enough for restoration what elements would you recommend?

Oksjonid, kuulutused ja eripakkumised - enam pakkumisi - Osta.ee

Thanks for help

[billfitzmaurice]

They'd make good cabs, if you don't mind the size and weight. Eminence Delta Pro 15s would work well.

[Arlekiin]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

They'd make good cabs, if you don't mind the size and weight. Eminence Delta Pro 15s would work well.

Thank you for the reply.
Well since they are dirt cheap I could build them and then use when I really want to blast people and since I'm in a bass driven band It kind of makes sense not that I don't have enough of punch already.

Currently using: Markbass 4x10+1x15 but would like to move to all 15" rig.

[Bassmec]

Originally Posted by Arlekiin

Hello,

So found a nice pair of horn cases for 15" drivers could these be a nice addition to a bassrig? Or are these mainly used for PA's?

If you find these to be good enough for restoration what elements would you recommend?

Oksjonid, kuulutused ja eripakkumised - enam pakkumisi - Osta.ee

Thanks for help

Welcome to the Altec owners club, thats a very horny 2 X 15 bass rig you are getting together.
I think you should do the whole purple flock and gold paint merf and the magic tones thing like my old 811 horn 5 port mid HF boxes:

Its a soul thing man!
I also have a pair of Ampeg SVT115 with Altec 418 Series 11
drivers.
The Ideal Altec driver for that cab with bass guitar is the Vintage 421 series 11 as fitted to the Ampeg V4B 2 X 15 folded horn enclosure.
but as bill knows modern Eminence Delta Pro 15s will handle more power for slightly less efficiency.
eBay - Altec 421A 421 A Bass Guitar Musical Instrument Speaker, Similar items search

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Arlekiin

Hello,

So found a nice pair of horn cases for 15" drivers could these be a nice addition to a bassrig? Or are these mainly used for PA's?

If you find these to be good enough for restoration what elements would you recommend?

Oksjonid, kuulutused ja eripakkumised - enam pakkumisi - Osta.ee

Thanks for help

those used to be the cabs that was part of the standard pa that almost everyone used here for decades.....

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by Bassmec

but as bill knows modern Eminence Delta Pro 15s will handle more power for slightly less efficiency.
:

The 421 has slightly higher sensitivity in the midbass, but considerably less in the lows due to the low Qts of 0.25, compared to 0.4 for the Delta Pro. The Altec would work better in a much larger horn, but with the short pathway of the OP's cabs the Delta Pro will outperform the Altec.

[Arlekiin]

What about these?

EMINENCE BETA-15A - Thomann UK Cyberstore

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by Arlekiin

What about these?

EMINENCE BETA-15A - Thomann UK Cyberstore

No. High Qts low BL drivers are not suited to horns.

[Arlekiin]

Aha thank you you just saved me from a grave mistake :P

Should I treat them any differently cause I plan to use them in my Bass Rig and not as standard PA?

[Bassmec]

Originally Posted by Arlekiin

Aha thank you you just saved me from a grave mistake :P

Should I treat them any differently cause I plan to use them in my Bass Rig and not as standard PA?

No they will just be better at mid dispersion and a good bit more efficient than a standard 2 x 15 flat front cab.
I used to play through an old pair in a big rehearsal place with the original pair of 421 drivers and a Hiwatt Dr201 and I thought they where very very good for bass guitar.
More efficient than my ampeg 115 cabs with Altec 418, except for slight transport issues due to size, cant see a problem at all.
The reason they where the worldwide industry standard for PA for 30 years along with the similar idea JBL 4560 cab is because they really worked stunningly well, and still will.

[Arlekiin]

All I can say is Thank you and: NICE :P

[Arlekiin]

Search Results - Page 1 - Thomann UK Cyberstore

Would

Eminence Delta-15A's or Delta-15LFA's do the trick? They would be considerably cheaper compared to pro's? Why are pros so much more expensive besides the bragging rights? They seem to have very similar specs?

[Bassmec]

Originally Posted by Arlekiin

Search Results - Page 1 - Thomann UK Cyberstore

Would

Eminence Delta-15A's or Delta-15LFA's do the trick? They would be considerably cheaper compared to pro's? Why are pros so much more expensive besides the bragging rights? They seem to have very similar specs?

Bill and Greenboy are the total world experts when it comes to eminence drivers and their application. I would see what bill thinks because, bill has gone forward with this type of horn enclosure design dealing with lighter structures but with with good rigidity and modern higher power neo drivers.
I only know and love the old stuff really.

PS me and bill will only fight about the Alumnium voice coil cap on the Altec 421 and the tin can top end it gives, which I love just as much as the JBL K140 tin can top but bill will say you can only hear it directly on axis which is all very true but my mics are on axis, so I think it makes a difference in the studio.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by Arlekiin

Eminence Delta-15A's or Delta-15LFA's do the trick?

No. I can name a number of much more expensive drivers that will work, if you wish.

[christw]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

No. I can name a number of much more expensive drivers that will work, if you wish.

I think that's what he wants, isn't it?

[Arlekiin]

@Bill

No cheaper the better but with reasonably good sound quality. I am a troubled person, If you name the expensive drivers you will render me helpless and I will have no choice but to bankrupt myself and get them cause I always strive for the best I can afford but there is so much toys I want besides these cabs.

So the bottom line is:

Delta Pro's are the cheapest option which you would consider to have "good quality"?

P.S

Word around the block is that you have been experimenting with NEO drivers and lightweight horn designs? Sounds very interesting are they any good? My ultralight Markbass cabs are very good quality both in terms of size and soundquality which has made me very curious towards lightweight equipment cause weight does matter and its a real benefit if you can set your rig up without breaking your back (actually breaking it - small workout is welcome but broken back is not).

[Calaverasgrande]

I used to run some similar cabs for bass back in the late 80's early 90's. Also ran some 2x12 horn loaded mid bass boxes that ROCKED. So much so that the original owner took them back from me and probably still uses them to this day.

I will also chime in that the Altec 421, along with the EVM15L and the older chrome frame "coffee can" EV driver are great in those kind of boxes. That is if you arent looking ofr subsonic bass but rather nice midrange.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by Arlekiin

So the bottom line is:

Delta Pro's are the cheapest option which you would consider to have "good quality"?

Yes.

Word around the block is that you have been experimenting with NEO drivers and lightweight horn designs?

There's nothing the least bit experimental about them. If you're interested ask for opinions and read reviews on my forum.

[Arlekiin]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

Yes.


There's nothing the least bit experimental about them. If you're interested ask for opinions and read reviews on my forum.

Can you give me a brief explanation why Pros are superior compared to the ordinary model? Just in few words, I dont doubt your expertise but would like to understand and educate myself about these things.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by Arlekiin

Can you give me a brief explanation why Pros are superior compared to the ordinary model? Just in few words, I dont doubt your expertise but would like to understand and educate myself about these things.

You need to compare all of the T/S specs, and know from experience how they will affect the result when the driver is loaded in a horn.