High Efficiency Speaker Asylum

RE: Who likes Altec Valencias?

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This Post Has Been Edited by the Author

In Reply to: RE: Who likes Altec Valencias? posted by catbert242000@yahoo.com on May 13, 2023 at 15:36:12

I wanted to keep the original Altec 806a compression driver and 416a driver, and have taken advantage of some current technology to improve its frequency response. Furthermore those original drivers are continuing to appreciate in value each year.

ChatGPT has summarized what I have tried to do:
"The Altec 806A compression driver does not have a flat frequency response on its own. Altec designed passive crossovers, such as the N800F or N801-8A, to be used with the 806A driver and the Altec 811 horn to improve the overall frequency response and achieve a more balanced sound.

When it comes to improving the frequency response of a driver like the Altec 806A, using a digital signal processor (DSP) can indeed be more effective than passive crossovers. A DSP provides greater flexibility and precision in adjusting and optimizing the frequency response of a loudspeaker system.

Here are a few reasons why a DSP can be beneficial in producing a better frequency response for the Altec 806A driver:

Equalization: A DSP allows you to apply precise equalization adjustments to compensate for any frequency response irregularities of the driver. You can target specific frequency ranges and correct any peaks or dips to achieve a flatter and more linear response.

Time alignment: With a DSP, you can fine-tune the time alignment between different drivers in the system. This ensures that sound waves from each driver reach the listener's ears simultaneously, improving coherence and minimizing phase cancellations.

Crossover optimization: DSPs provide the flexibility to design and implement complex crossover filters that are more tailored to the specific characteristics of the driver and horn combination. This allows for better integration between drivers and smoother transitions between frequency ranges.

Room correction: DSPs can include room correction algorithms that account for the acoustic properties of the listening environment. This helps compensate for room resonances and reflections, further improving the overall frequency response and accuracy.

By utilizing a DSP and employing advanced digital signal processing techniques, you have more control over the sound reproduction and can optimize the frequency response of the Altec 806A driver to a greater extent than with passive crossovers alone.

It's important to note that properly calibrating a DSP for optimal results requires knowledge and expertise in audio engineering and measurement techniques. Consulting with a professional audio engineer or acoustician experienced in DSP tuning is highly recommended to achieve the best possible frequency response for your specific setup."

I am currently using the Martin Logan Unison for digital room correction and it has fixed some of the Altec response issues. Unfortunately I can not measure and produce a graph to illustrate what it currently does on and off axis.

However I just wanted to introduce this alternative option to everyone.

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