Home » Sponsored » Pi Speakers » Altec 511B / 811B users? opinions?
Altec 511B / 811B users? opinions? [message #46218] Mon, 31 January 2005 16:23 Go to next message
Jerrod Harden is currently offline  Jerrod Harden
Messages: 38
Registered: May 2009
Baron
Who's using these antiques in their hifi rigs? When coupled to a current production compression driver such as a JBL 2426 is horn/driver efficiency about the same as with the 2370A? Seems like I remember Wayne recommending a 6db compensation on these with a 1uf cap on the compensation network. Sound about right? How about running these with the midhorn? I love the way they look. Real cool vintage looking appeal, but do they sound as good as they look? Any thoughts?

Take care! Jerrod

Re: Altec 511B / 811B users? opinions? [message #46219 is a reply to message #46218] Mon, 31 January 2005 17:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
BillEpstein is currently offline  BillEpstein
Messages: 886
Registered: May 2009
Illuminati (2nd Degree)
I've had the 811B driven by the 806A for some time. The 811B with the welds cut and fastened to a wooden baffle has a very present and exciting sound. A bit too much so on some CD's. The 811B with the 2618 driver is a little more laid back but the 2618 really is a second line driver and somewhat veiled. I prefer the Martinelli 17" Woodhorn with the 806A.


Re: Altec 511B / 811B users? opinions? [message #46220 is a reply to message #46218] Tue, 01 February 2005 00:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Wayne Parham is currently offline  Wayne Parham
Messages: 18786
Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
You are right that I've said they sound best to me with 6dB compensation. Their collapsing DI provides some EQ, but a little more really helps if using the horn through the top octave.

Re: Altec 511B / 811B users? opinions? [message #46221 is a reply to message #46218] Tue, 01 February 2005 01:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
ToFo is currently offline  ToFo
Messages: 219
Registered: May 2009
Master
Hi jharden,
The 2426 rolls off quite a lot in the top 2 octaves for an 811B. Some really like that sound. 811's actually sound better to my ears with a driver that's fairly hot on top. 811's are incredible with the right driver, but they don't have the coverage of a 2370A. The directivity and response of these two is just so different they are hard to compare. As for the efficiency, JBL's are louder near cutoff, but you have to compensate them a lot to even get close to flat, so you lose the juice in the L-pad. An 811B is nearly flat with a PSD 2002 and a 6dB comp so it cam be louder in a passive system. You can use a smaller capacitor with an 811 to match a quiet woofer, but you can't use a 2370 with a real loud woofer, unless you use active crossover/EQ. They are two different tools for different worlds.
Thomas

Re: Altec 511B / 811B users? opinions? [message #46223 is a reply to message #46221] Tue, 01 February 2005 07:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Russellc is currently offline  Russellc
Messages: 397
Registered: May 2009
Illuminati (1st Degree)
I feel the 2370 jbl is better, in as much as it more accoustically dead. i like my 511 b much better than the 811b in this regard, but my 511bs are a later harder to find model that comes with the vanes already cut and some kind of rubbery stuff in there. The ones with soild welds will ring more, but they can be modded of course. My 811bs ring like a bell. As to the 2526,it does not roll off any sooner than any of the altec drivers, and sound to my ears to have a little more high end, but maybe its just different. I don't find that much difference at all in terms of response between the 811b and the 2370b, but the directivity may differ due to size, the 2370b is more like the 511b in that regard. the 2002 is a nice driver and all, but not in the same class as the altec or JBL units...that being said, I feel safe in saying that it has a little more on the high end than either the 802, 902 altec or 2526 jbl. ( or 2425 for that matter) It's price is dynamite for the performance given.

Just my thoughts, nothing more!

Russellc

Re: Altec 511B / 811B users? opinions? [message #46236 is a reply to message #46218] Wed, 02 February 2005 15:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jerrod Harden is currently offline  Jerrod Harden
Messages: 38
Registered: May 2009
Baron
Thanks to those who responded with information. From the sources I've scoured I've found that the 511B is favored over the 811B. It is reported to offer what many call "bigger sound" and "less strain" while performing every bit as well in the top octave. I'm interested. Anybody have a nice pair of 511B's they would like to part with?

Re: Altec 511B / 811B users? opinions? [message #46244 is a reply to message #46223] Fri, 04 February 2005 15:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Russellc is currently offline  Russellc
Messages: 397
Registered: May 2009
Illuminati (1st Degree)
Whoops i said 2526 but meant 2426 like wayne uses in the Professional series. Sorry

Russellc

Re: Altec 511B / 811B users? opinions? [message #46248 is a reply to message #46244] Sat, 05 February 2005 00:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message
ToFo is currently offline  ToFo
Messages: 219
Registered: May 2009
Master
I largely agree. I like these horns a lot, but there have there different personalities depending on application. Smooth response and wide, flat coverage is my bag. The 2370's do have the coverage, but aren't smooth enough with the drivers I prefer. The Altecs do sound a lot like them with the JBL drivers when listening on axis, but exibit classic collapsing directivity from their curvature. With the PSD 2002 an Altec is flat and smooth, but on the 2370 there is a large dropout at 2.5K and a strong pointy peak at 7K. I now use Theater 4's with Peavey CH-3/PSD 2002. CH-3's aren't gorgeous, and they don't do big midrange, but they are decently flat, smooth and wide with the 2002. Unfortunately not enough top end with the 2426 by comparison. I'm impressed how three horns give such a wide variance of responses with different drivers. It seems the 2426 has great self damping. The 2002 maybe not. It changes personality a lot according to horn. Funny how the 2426 is smooth on all of these horns. Wish I liked the sound balance of this driver without EQ. The Altec horn seems to damp the best, Then the CH-3 has 2370 type coverage with bit of Altec smoothing, Then the 2370A seems totally loose with some drivers. Hmmmm.
Thomas

Re: Altec 511B / 811B users? opinions? [message #46262 is a reply to message #46248] Sat, 05 February 2005 21:08 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Russellc is currently offline  Russellc
Messages: 397
Registered: May 2009
Illuminati (1st Degree)
In large part its personal tastes and the room you're stuck with. If I can ever get someone to build the boxes I have the drivers for the 7 Pi w/ mid horn and all JBL drivers. with a little compenstion the high end is fine for me. Otherwise, I do keep a lookout for JBL "mini" baby cheeks super tweet, 2405 or something like that, or the slots which could be tagged on for such high frequency deficiencies. for lack of anything better at this time I will be useing either 811b or the plastic horn intended for the smaller stage 4 pi on a jbl 2425H drivers. I figure as a three way, the passband for the 811 should hopefully be higher than its problem resonant frequencies.

Russellc

Re: Altec 511B / 811B users? opinions? [message #46263 is a reply to message #46262] Sat, 05 February 2005 22:22 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
ToFo is currently offline  ToFo
Messages: 219
Registered: May 2009
Master
So true. I hate my living room. My bedroom has great acoustics, but... Anyway, it sounds like you've got the makings of a very nice setup. Now that I think about it, all of my trying with the 2370A/2426 were done with my Theater 4 crossover padded down for the efficiency difference. I do not remember adjusting the comp cap to taste. Hmmm, I am glad we got "talking" about this, or I wouldn't have thought about it. It is definitely worth another try. Now I just have to pry the 2426's back from my Brother.

Thomas


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