Reviving the Onken

[jonjin]

Hiya,

Newbie here and I wanted to get some thoughts on my first DIY horn project (thinking I might be biting off more than I can chew). The idea is to revive the Onken design of the 80s. So it's going to use the classic configuration:

Altec 414 in Onken cabinet
Onken 500 in LeCleach horn (550 Azurahorn)
JBL 2405

Was thinking of sticking to the recommended cross-over points of 800 Hz and 8000Hz, 2nd order Butterworth slope...

Any comments appreciated! I'm no techie...

Rgds,

JJ

[Pano]

Go for it!

There has been a lot written about the Onken box on these pages - but you are not trying unknown drivers, so you should have no problems.

The only tricky part will be the crossover. I remember them all as being 2nd order passive with about the x-over points you mention. Tweaking the x-over slopes and phase will be where the system really comes together.

Have fun with the project - the results will be well worth it.

[jonjin]

Thanks. This is abit like stepping into the unknown for me... scary but exciting at the same time.

Am waiting for the arrival of the various bits/drivers and then will start on making the Onken cabinet. After that I will definitely need the advice from here for the x-overs

JJ

[kevinkr]

I finished mine about 2 yrs ago and have spent a little time tweaking the X-O design.

Mine used the Iconic 165-8G aka Great Plains Audio 515-8G with JBL 4333 mid horns and 2402 annular ring horn tweeters.

Cross over is at 800Hz and 8kHz and I am very pleased with the results. They are completely competitive with anything I have heard to relatively obscene price levels, and like you I had the distinct feeling I was biting off a bit more than I could chew, but success is its own reward..

My latest X-O design is posted in one of the old Onken threads and works well in my set up, still you might consider designing your own. (This X-O is designed to be driven by an amplifier with an ~3 ohm source impedance.)

Here is that thread: Using JBL 4333 and 2402 (Crossing Over, etc. Sanity Check)

Here is the thread where my Onkens come to life, there are even pictures:
Onken Enclosures

Knowing what I now know and given the many hours of listening pleasure these speakers have given me I would do it all over again in a heartbeat if I had to.

The improved x-o in the other thread cited made a significant improvement in every way. I haven't changed anything else - there hasn't been any need.

[jonjin]

Yup... your threads gave me the inspiration to embark on this project. Plus, I like the sound of Onken
Will have to carefully reread those threads.

JJ

[Pano]

You've got a great start with the drivers, horns and cabinets. It's all in x-over now!

[kevinkr]

Here is something to motivate you a bit (hopefully)...

I got a new camera (to me) so I thought I would post a slightly better picture of the cabinet, and some other details to follow.

[kevinkr]

Next:

[kevinkr]

And finally the second version of the X-O, note the really large inductor which is in the woofer LF section of the X-O, this was needed to minimize the dcr of the inductor to maintain proper woofer damping and not for power handling..

All of the other inductors are air core and all are from Madisound. The capacitors are Clarity Cap SA type, and represent a lot of performance for the money. (I've tried a number of different caps in this evolving X-O and these are the best so far, good enough that I have no motivation to spend more..)

[Pano]

Nice looking crossover, Kevin. =)