Posted by Russellc [ 65.66.151.103 ] on July 26, 2006 at 20:23:59:

In Reply to: Re: Yes; Martinelli Horns are the best looking horns out there. posted by manualblock on July 19, 2006 at 08:15:24:

I know. It uses the desireable aluminum dome. Usually, unless you find one that someone installed a symbiotic diaphram in, which basically makes it a 908 8b. some of the early examples of the 902 will have a number that you wont see on all the altec lists out there, but it is the same dome. It is basically the same as the 802 versions use, the difference being (unless the 802 has been updated) is the way the leads attach. on the early 802 style diaphram, the leads attach by screws. On the 902 style, they are a slip on deal. When upgrading older 802 with new diaphrams from great plains, you must buy a kit to change these wires, as the screw on types are no longer made. The 902 8b uses a non perforated centering ring, which means the diaphram is not exposed to the magnet chamber. The 902 8B usually comes with a loading cap and no felt, which I always remove and install felts. this makes it like a 902 8a, with the exception of the centering ring, which is perforated, ( in the 902 8A) exposing the diaphram to the magnet chamber. some say this gives the warmer sound of the 902 8a. Frankly, I dont know if I hear a difference in the perforated vs non perforated centering ring. the 902 also uses a tangerine phase plug in both versions, while the 802 8d uses the standard phase plug. Allegedly, the tangarine plug gives a bit more extention on the high end. Two exceptions to the general 802 has standard phase plug rule are, the 802 8g, which is a 802 (alnico mags) but does have a tangerine phase plug. In my opinion, this is the altec driver to have. similarly, the 808 8B also is basically an 802 8g, ( alnico, tangerine phase plug) but has loading caps and symbiotic diaphram. Change the diaphram to the good aluminum one, remove the phase plugs, installfelts and you have a 802 8G. The 808 8A usually has the symbiotic diaphram (not always) no loading caps, but standard phase plug. All 802 and 808 drivers have perforated centering rings, so the diaphrams are exposed to the magnet chamber. Additionally, the 908 8B...Basically a 902 8B with a symbiotic diaphram. Instally aluminum diaphram, and it is a 902 8B. Remove the loading caps and install felts and it is almost a 902 8A, with the exception of having a non perforated centering ring, unlike the perforated version used in the 902 8A. to mix things up, there are apparently a few 902 8b and 908 8b that DO have perforated centering rings, but I have never found one. finally, the 909 drivers, which use a pascalite diaphram, (otherwise a 902) which is supposed to have the higher power handleing of the symbiotic diaphram and the higher end extention of the preferred aluminum dome. I dont know what the 909 centering ring situation is As to the 806 and 807, they have a slightly smaller body compared to the 802 8d, and slightly less magnet, and some say slightly less extention. I have never used these versions and can not comment on their sound.

Hope this helps more than confuses, it took me a lot of time and money to figure this out.

Russellc

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