I've got this so far...purportedly for the 8Y. I've never measured T/S before. I understand it's not terribly difficult... I've either got, or got access to, the hardware to do it.
Pic from an old diyaudio post from 'GM', who went on in the thread to recommend a 7 cu ft TL enclosure for the 8Y.
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Ditto on the RCF H3709 horn - it’s a real sleeper. Plus you have to respect RCF for emulating a classic.
As for the horn ringing, surprisingly the ringing isn’t too bad when free standing. I am rotating between two sets of speakers, the one shown below as well as an OB design with the H3709 mounted to the baffle. I’m not bothered by any ringing or shouting, and that’s something that makes me run straight out of rooms at audio shows.
I agree, beautiful cabinets!👍
The H7309 aren't easy to find, but your RCF experience was a nice read!
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Sorry for the detour but I also have a Nakamichi TA3A and I think they are absolutely excellent, especially when Stephen Sank does his mods to them. Their already great performance gets brought up a few levels. The mods are very cheap as well. Definitely worth doing.
I haven't forgotten about the Bolero experiments - just slowed by my 3 month old daughter.
I've also been distracted playing with a pair of Cetec Gauss HF4000 large format compression drivers I got for next to nothing.
I'll start a thread on those soon.... suffice it to say I'm a fan and I'm planing a 2-way or maybe even 3-way Westlakeish build around them.
Anyhow - I'm about to fire up the RCF N480/ h3709 combo on the Boleros. I've wired them such that I can run the 10" full range or through the recapped Bolero crossover, which rolls it off around 2k.
More to come.
I've also been distracted playing with a pair of Cetec Gauss HF4000 large format compression drivers I got for next to nothing.
I'll start a thread on those soon.... suffice it to say I'm a fan and I'm planing a 2-way or maybe even 3-way Westlakeish build around them.
Anyhow - I'm about to fire up the RCF N480/ h3709 combo on the Boleros. I've wired them such that I can run the 10" full range or through the recapped Bolero crossover, which rolls it off around 2k.
More to come.
Just got the RCF N480 (phenolic)/RCF h3709 combo hooked up on the Boleros, and wow... very impressive.
Whether through the stock network or with the 406-8y run wide open, this RCF iteration retains the characteristic big Bolero sound, while adding a lot more HF information and energy.
The RCFs make the Bolero even more reminiscent of classic Altec designs I've owned, without ever sounding edgy. I haven't measured the RCFs in this setup, but I'm guessing they have good extension out to 16k or so.
Presumably because they're more efficient, the RCFs have greater output than the stock horn drivers, the -3db cut switch put them right about where they should be. Definitely going to roll in the Model 15 networks next. They have a much more sophisticated HF section compared to the Bolero for better fine tuning of the HF section.
Given their very low cost, these old RCF N480 compression drivers have great sound. More polite and hi-fi sounding than Altec drivers I'm accustomed, but still with a nice solid midrange. They're my only experience with phenolic diaphragms - I'm really enjoying them.
I got my n480s for next to nothing - attached to the h3709 horns.
If you're interested in picking up the h3709 horns or the RCF N480/481, search in the usual places for EAW drivers/horns. I don't think it's a fluke these two sound great together....EAW used this combination used on several of its studio and 'cinema' designs in the 1990s. ( FR253, CF350).
I think part of why the h3709 is so hard to find is that few people (sellers included) know the model name. I found mine on the auction site sold as 'EAW horns.'
Whether through the stock network or with the 406-8y run wide open, this RCF iteration retains the characteristic big Bolero sound, while adding a lot more HF information and energy.
The RCFs make the Bolero even more reminiscent of classic Altec designs I've owned, without ever sounding edgy. I haven't measured the RCFs in this setup, but I'm guessing they have good extension out to 16k or so.
Presumably because they're more efficient, the RCFs have greater output than the stock horn drivers, the -3db cut switch put them right about where they should be. Definitely going to roll in the Model 15 networks next. They have a much more sophisticated HF section compared to the Bolero for better fine tuning of the HF section.
Given their very low cost, these old RCF N480 compression drivers have great sound. More polite and hi-fi sounding than Altec drivers I'm accustomed, but still with a nice solid midrange. They're my only experience with phenolic diaphragms - I'm really enjoying them.
I got my n480s for next to nothing - attached to the h3709 horns.
If you're interested in picking up the h3709 horns or the RCF N480/481, search in the usual places for EAW drivers/horns. I don't think it's a fluke these two sound great together....EAW used this combination used on several of its studio and 'cinema' designs in the 1990s. ( FR253, CF350).
I think part of why the h3709 is so hard to find is that few people (sellers included) know the model name. I found mine on the auction site sold as 'EAW horns.'
