Altec Lansing 416-8B (1975)
At 7.9kg, this 15-inch ferrite-powered brute moves air like a piston and speaks in frequencies so low they’re felt more than heard.
Overview
The Altec Lansing 416-8B (16B) Low Frequency Loudspeaker isn’t a finished speaker system—it’s raw, unfiltered potential in cast basket form. This 38 cm (15-inch) cone woofer unit was built for one job: move serious air below 1.6 kHz, starting as low as 25 Hz. At 7.9kg, it’s no lightweight, and that mass tells a story of industrial-grade materials meant to handle power and excursion without flinching. Rated at 8 Ω impedance and reportedly handling up to 75W, it’s a driver designed for integration into larger systems, not standalone use. Its output sound pressure level clocks in at 102 dB (New JIS), a figure that suggests efficiency without sacrificing control—important when reproducing bass that needs to punch, not just rumble.
Owners report it’s found a second life far from its original context: DIY audio builders regularly pull the 416-8B from obscurity for custom enclosures, including Onken-style bass-reflex designs that exploit its low resonance. The voice coil measures 76 mm in diameter, contributing to thermal resilience and long-term power handling, assuming proper ventilation and crossover integration. While the factory specs don’t detail cone material or surround design, the presence of a ferrite magnet—measuring a substantial 11,400 gauss—points to a no-nonsense approach to magnetic flux and motor strength. This isn’t exotic engineering, but it’s robust, repeatable, and built for duty.
What’s most telling is how the 416-8B compares to its sibling, the 416-8C. According to available documentation, the two are functionally identical—same frame, same cone, same voice coil—but differ only in magnet type. That makes the 8B a ferrite-based variant in a family where magnetic choice defines the model number, not the core design. For restorers or builders seeking authenticity, that distinction matters. For others, it’s a footnote—because once mounted and powered, the difference is likely inaudible without direct A/B testing.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Altec Lansing |
| Type | 38 cm cone woofer unit |
| Frequency characteristic | 25 Hz – 1,600 Hz |
| Lowest resonance frequency | 25Hz |
| Impedance | 8 Ω |
| Allowable input | 75W |
| Output sound pressure level | 102 dB (New JIS) |
| Voice coil | 76 mm |
| Weight | 7.9kg |
| Magnet type | Ferrite |
| Flux density | 11400 gauss |
Historical Context
The Altec Lansing 416-8B was released in 1975 as part of a specialized line of driver units aimed at professional and high-fidelity applications. It shares its core construction with the 416-8C, differing only in magnet composition—a subtle but deliberate distinction in Altec’s product logic. No broader product family details or historical lineage beyond this pairing are documented in available sources.
Collectibility & Value
The 416-8B originally sold for ¥53,600 per unit around 1977. Today, it circulates primarily in the used and vintage audio markets, including eBay and enthusiast classifieds, where it’s sought by DIY builders rather than collectors of complete systems. No data on failure rates or maintenance is available, but given its passive driver nature and lack of complex materials in the spec sheet, longevity likely depends on proper enclosure matching and avoidance of overdriving.
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