ALTEC 811B or B&C Horns for Small Room

[bedrock602]

I've been using ALTEC A7's in my 600 s.f. workshop for years and am very happy with them. I have an additional set of 416-8 woofers, 811B horns and 802-8D drivers. I would like to build some enclosures/crossovers and use them in a 9x12 dedicated listening room but I'm thinking the 811B horns may not be the best option.

Would these B&C horns be more appropriate for this small room?

https://www.parts-express.com/B-C-ME45-1-Exponential-Horn-90x40-2-Bolt-294-622?quantity=1

 

[Cal Weldon]

Have you damped the horn lips of the 811? Often that’s all thats required to achieve an acceptable level of ringing. A few products work for that including different putties and rope caulk.
edit: spelling corrected.

 

[GM]

Yeah, there's lots of tweaks to make them (much) more HIFI with dealing with its 'ringing', mass quantities of reflections back to the throat modulating the driver being the worst offenders, but the best option is a DIY pure WG with the 'right' polar response for the app.

 

[bedrock602]

Thanks for the responses. I wasn't thinking about "ringing" since the A7's in my shop sound pretty awesome without any tweaks, etc.

I was just wondering if a room that is only 9 feet wide would impact the sound of the 811B horns in a negative way.

 

[AllenB]

When used as for waveguiding, an appropriate larger device can be a better match for a smaller room because it helps with those walls. I assume that's what you are asking, there are many aspects to horn suitability.

On the other hand you might be guided by your choice of woofer as the size of this constrains the performance requirements of the horn.

 

[Cal Weldon]

If your room is only 9 feet wide, my advice is to turn them up loud and not worry about it. It’ll be like you’re there in front of the stage. 😉

 

[bedrock602]

Okay, thanks again. I'll give the 811B's a try.