Altec Lansing 291-16B (1975)

Name: Altec Lansing 291-16B
Brand: Altec Lansing

At 9kg and built around an Alnico magnet, this driver delivers 117dB/W/m with brute-force efficiency and old-school authority.

Overview

The Altec Lansing 291-16B isn't a tweeter for the faint of heart—it's a large-format high-frequency compression driver built in 1975 for applications demanding raw output and resilience. At 9kg, it's no lightweight, its mass hinting at the substantial metalwork and magnetic structure inside. Designed to be mated with specific horns like the 311-90, 311-60, 329A, or Multi-Seller Horn, it was engineered to project high frequencies with precision and power, typical of Altec’s professional-grade approach during that era. With a frequency range spanning 500 Hz to 14 kHz, it bridges the upper midrange into the highs, avoiding the extreme top end but covering the critical presence region where clarity and intelligibility live.

Its 16 Ω impedance and 80W allowable input place it squarely in the realm of passive professional systems, likely intended for use with robust external crossovers and amplifiers capable of driving reactive loads. The 117dB/W/m sensitivity rating is exceptional—this driver turns power into sound pressure with alarming efficiency, a hallmark of compression driver design. That kind of output made it suitable for venues where volume and projection mattered more than tonal nuance. While no documentation confirms its exact application, the combination of high power handling, horn compatibility, and rugged build suggests use in touring sound, large installations, or broadcast environments where reliability under stress was non-negotiable.

One conflicting data point emerges: a NOAA PDF lists pulse power (100W), pulse width (30, 90, 180 ms), and a center frequency of 2,400 Hz (or 1,800 Hz), specs more typical of sonar or transducer systems than audio drivers. These values don't align with standard audio performance metrics and may indicate either a specialized military or industrial variant, a misattribution, or a model number reuse. Given that all other sources identify the 291-16B as an audio compression driver, and the NOAA document lacks corroboration, those pulse-related figures are omitted from the spec table due to unresolved conflict and contextual inconsistency.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Altec Lansing
Product type	Large-format high-frequency compression driver
Production year	1975
Frequency characteristic	500 Hz to 14 kHz
Impedance	16 Ω
Allowable input	80W
Output sound pressure level	117dB/W/m
Applicable Horns	311-90, 311-60, 329A, Multi-Seller Horn
External dimensions	Diameter 165x Depth 126 mm
Weight	9kg
Magnet material	Alnico

Collectibility & Value

Market data is sparse, but a used Altec Lansing 291-16B was listed for CA$2,250 in Canada on August 21 (year not specified), suggesting strong collector interest or demand from restorers of vintage professional systems. Additionally, a component plate for the 291-16B appeared on a Japanese auction site, indicating that even partial units retain some value, possibly for repair or museum purposes. No information is available on common failures or maintenance requirements, though Alnico magnet drivers of this era are generally robust if not subjected to physical damage or extreme over-powering.