Altec Lansing speaker ID - Help

[Todd W]

Hello, I am asking for help in identifying a set of Altec Lansing speakers that I have just acquired. They have 511b horns, 416a woofers and an n500e crossover box. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[danrclem]

My guess would be homemade.

 

[bowtie427ss]

No self respecting speaker company would use that low quality of plywood.

You might see a few footballs, but you'd never see a knot.

Then there's the box design, WTH is it?

 

[Todd W]

I know what you are saying. They very well may be home made. Thank you

 

[bowtie427ss]

Curious about the box design/woofer orientation.

Do you have any additional pics that reveal those details?

Nice group of components, they're going to pair best with higher output impedance amplifiers(xformer coupled)

 

[Todd W]

The cabinet is 36" high x 24.5"wide x 24.5" depth. Its hard to get pics of how the woofer is situated because the box is sealed so tight.

 

[Todd W]

Here are 3 pics

 

[bowtie427ss]

Thank you for posting the pics Todd.

I'm trying to understand the internal panel with the woofer access door in it.

I'd love to know the back story, if the build was following a plan/recipe, or a whim.

 

[Todd W]

I bought it from the daughter of a man who died recently. She said he was in his early 90's. No chance of getting any further info. Is there any Altec speaker that shared these same components?

 

[bowtie427ss]

Is there any Altec speaker that shared these same components?

Specifically? A couple VOT systems, A7-500 and the A7-500W Magnificent(home version of A7-500).

Generally? They're the basis for nearly all of the iconic loudspeaker systems as well as small format VOT systems.

The main variant among these heritage speaker loads is going to be the horn and crossover network(and the driver once bean counters got involved). There were many more speaker systems that used the same basic load with the main variant being an 800hz network and 811B horn which with it's shorter overall length fit more comfortably in reasonably sized cabinets for the home.

The N500E/800E with their fixed, stepped attenuation(preferred) would be discontinued soon after the introduction of the 416A woofer and replaced with cheaper continuously variable L-pads.

 

[BillWojo]

Never seen a rear panel like that internally. Looks like it kind of floats, attached at the sides to brace the horn but open to the inside at both top and bottom. Volume of cabinet is roughly 12ft/3, pretty good size.
Have you tried them yet?

BillWojo

 

[Leben]

Nice find. I love the looks of green Altecs from that era. If the components are in good working order those have potential to sound quite good as they are and even better with a simple upgrade or two, IMO.

Like others, I too am wondering about the purpose/design of the rear panel. I wonder if it was added as an afterthought to support the horn/driver, they are heavy.

Congrats on your speakers, keep us posted as you get a chance to try them out.

 

[Todd W]

Specifically? A couple VOT systems, A7-500 and the A7-500W Magnificent(home version of A7-500).

Generally? They're the basis for nearly all of the iconic loudspeaker systems as well as small format VOT systems.

The main variant among these heritage speaker loads is going to be the horn and crossover network(and the driver once bean counters got involved). There were many more speaker systems that used the same basic load with the main variant being an 800hz network and 811B horn which with it's shorter overall length fit more comfortably in reasonably sized cabinets for the home.

The N500E/800E with their fixed, stepped attenuation(preferred) would be discontinued soon after the introduction of the 416A woofer and replaced with cheaper continuously variable L-pads.

 

[Todd W]

Specifically? A couple VOT systems, A7-500 and the A7-500W Magnificent(home version of A7-500).

Generally? They're the basis for nearly all of the iconic loudspeaker systems as well as small format VOT systems.

The main variant among these heritage speaker loads is going to be the horn and crossover network(and the driver once bean counters got involved). There were many more speaker systems that used the same basic load with the main variant being an 800hz network and 811B horn which with it's shorter overall length fit more comfortably in reasonably sized cabinets for the home.

The N500E/800E with their fixed, stepped attenuation(preferred) would be discontinued soon after the introduction of the 416A woofer and replaced with cheaper continuously variable L-pads.

You are a wealth of knowledge. Thank you so much for taking the time. I appreciate it!

 

[Todd W]

Never seen a rear panel like that internally. Looks like it kind of floats, attached at the sides to brace the horn but open to the inside at both top and bottom. Volume of cabinet is roughly 12ft/3, pretty good size.
Have you tried them yet?

BillWojo

I am planning to try them out this weekend. I have listened to a set of Valencia's I am hoping that they are comparable. Thank you.

 

[Todd W]

Nice find. I love the looks of green Altecs from that era. If the components are in good working order those have potential to sound quite good as they are and even better with a simple upgrade or two, IMO.

Like others, I too am wondering about the purpose/design of the rear panel. I wonder if it was added as an afterthought to support the horn/driver, they are heavy.

Congrats on your speakers, keep us posted as you get a chance to try them out.

I plan to put the rear panel back on this weekend and try them out. Im looking forward to it. Thank you!

 

[Todd W]

Never seen a rear panel like that internally. Looks like it kind of floats, attached at the sides to brace the horn but open to the inside at both top and bottom. Volume of cabinet is roughly 12ft/3, pretty good size.
Have you tried them yet?

BillWojo

I hooked them up this afternoon to a Marantz 2252 and they sound amazing! I would think that they sound as good as the Valencias that I have heard in the past. Very impressive! Thanks again!

 

[Todd W]

Nice find. I love the looks of green Altecs from that era. If the components are in good working order those have potential to sound quite good as they are and even better with a simple upgrade or two, IMO.

Like others, I too am wondering about the purpose/design of the rear panel. I wonder if it was added as an afterthought to support the horn/driver, they are heavy.

Congrats on your speakers, keep us posted as you get a chance to try them out.

I hooked them up this afternoon to a Marantz 2252 and they sound amazing! I would think that they sound as good as the Valencias that I have heard in the past. Very impressive! Thank you for your insight!

 

[BillWojo]

That's what I find when I listen to the old Altec's based on their commercial products. Nothing comes close to the dynamics and realism that they reproduce effortlessly. Remember, the design is very close to what was used in theaters, concert venues and stadiums around the world. They are direct descendants from the designs that Western Electric introduced back in the early 30's. Altec was actually born from the remnants of the WE venture when they were forced to divest themselves of commercial audio products due to the anti-trust lawsuit.
Would someone please tell me again how much better modern speakers are because of newer materials and technology. LOL

BillWojo