Unexpected problem - past owners
This entry concerns the horn drivers' diaphragms.
Previously, I had found there was no output from the speakers in the high frequency range. I disassembled the horns and found that both diaphragms had broken leads. This accounted for no high frequency audio.
I ordered a pair of cheap Chinese temporary replacements which arrived a coupleof days ago. I installed one and the difference was notable. Better than the temporary setup using the speaker panels from a couple of bookshelf speakers.
However, the second diaphragm was not installed. The screws had been broken some time in the past and short pieces were found in the holes. All three were involved. At some point in the past, someone else had worked on the speakers. Parts that were not original to the speakers had been used as replacements for missing or damaged original parts. Other substitutes included the segmented foam speaker grilles with Altec badges. One quote for reproductions was $250/ea.
Luckily, the engineers at Altec Lansing had forseen this possibility and added another set of screw holes 180 degrees from the first. All I had to do was rotate the horns around and I was ready to go.
I had seen this kind of advanced thinking in other high end products from the period and wondered if such measures were still being taken and foresight applied.
Now, all I need to do is go to the local home improvement store and get a new set of screws for both horns.
I received one aftermarket reproduction of the Altec 806-8A diaphragm ($131/ea) at the same time as the cheaper set ($9.98/ea). I'll wait until I get the second one, and install both at the same time.
Some images are included to show the screw problem. Note the concentric ring phase plug. I have considered substituting a Tangerine phase plug.
Previously, I had found there was no output from the speakers in the high frequency range. I disassembled the horns and found that both diaphragms had broken leads. This accounted for no high frequency audio.
I ordered a pair of cheap Chinese temporary replacements which arrived a coupleof days ago. I installed one and the difference was notable. Better than the temporary setup using the speaker panels from a couple of bookshelf speakers.
However, the second diaphragm was not installed. The screws had been broken some time in the past and short pieces were found in the holes. All three were involved. At some point in the past, someone else had worked on the speakers. Parts that were not original to the speakers had been used as replacements for missing or damaged original parts. Other substitutes included the segmented foam speaker grilles with Altec badges. One quote for reproductions was $250/ea.
Luckily, the engineers at Altec Lansing had forseen this possibility and added another set of screw holes 180 degrees from the first. All I had to do was rotate the horns around and I was ready to go.
I had seen this kind of advanced thinking in other high end products from the period and wondered if such measures were still being taken and foresight applied.
Now, all I need to do is go to the local home improvement store and get a new set of screws for both horns.
I received one aftermarket reproduction of the Altec 806-8A diaphragm ($131/ea) at the same time as the cheaper set ($9.98/ea). I'll wait until I get the second one, and install both at the same time.
Some images are included to show the screw problem. Note the concentric ring phase plug. I have considered substituting a Tangerine phase plug.
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