Altec Lansing Custom Midcentury Floor Speaker, Exceptional Build!

There may not be another audio brand as globally recognized as The Altec Lansing Corporation.  The company has produced audio-related products - from military installations to baby monitors - for nearly 100 years.  In 1927 engineers from Western Electric developed a loudspeaker driver design for "The Jazz Singer" - The world's first moving picture with sound, and since then Altec has been at the top of its game.

In the 1960s and 1970s, it was very common for hifi companies, like Altec, to sell DIY speaker building kits right alongside their factory-built designs.  A consumer, or furniture company, could design their own cabinet based on Altec's recommendations, and Altec would supply all the parts necessary to get the job done.  

What we have here is one such example.  This "low-boy" Altec kit was built anonymously by some intrepid carpenter, roughly 55-60 years ago. The build quality of the cabinet, and the finish, is extraordinary.  The first thing one notices is the sweeping curve on the top of the cabinet, following the contours of the horn lying underneath.  Next is the intricate, and perfectly preserved lattice work which is hiding the low frequency driver.  The walnut veneer is hand-oiled and looks just wonderful with only a very few marks from history. 

Inside, the speakers feature Altec's 802D high frequency driver behind the large 511B horn, the 416A 15" low frequency woofer, and Altec's N-500-E dividing network crossover.  All components are rated at 16 ohms nominal and pair amazingly well with a vintage tube amp from the era - Fisher 800B or X-100 come to mind!  (...Or maybe even the venerable, new, Octave Audio V40SE...)

The sound from this system is quintessential Altec.  Sitting at a low position in your shag-carpeted sunken living room next to the Malm Zircon fireplace and sipping a Gibson, these speakers are absolutely perfect.  They set the tone and the mood just right with both the look and the sound.  Vocals and instruments come right at you with clarity and punch.  And the low frequency driver is controlled and "full."  

Come by and demo these historic gems at our new Andover, MA showroom.  Bring a couple back issues of Life Magazine and we'll provide the Gibson. 

$3,299 (plus MA Sales Tax, if applicable)

* Note, these speakers cannot be shipping by traditional means.  Freight shipping using our customized residential service is the only way to ensure they arrive safely.  Please enquire for pricing and scheduling.