Altec Lansing 846A Valencia (1967)

At 760 mm tall, it stands like a sentinel of sound — ornate, imposing, and engineered to deliver the weight of live music in a living room.

Overview

The Altec Lansing 846A Valencia isn't just another floor-standing speaker from the late 1960s — it's a statement piece that married theatrical audio performance with architectural design. Introduced in 1967, this 2-way, 2-speaker bass reflex system quickly became a bestseller and remains one of Altec’s most iconic medium-sized speaker systems. Its presence in homes wasn’t subtle: standing nearly waist-high with a bold wooden lattice front, it announced itself as both furniture and high-fidelity instrument. The 846A was built not just to be heard, but to be seen — a deliberate fusion of Spanish tile-inspired aesthetics and American electroacoustic engineering.

Two distinct versions emerged over its production run, with a key revision occurring in 1970. Before that shift, the early 846A carried a 16 Ω impedance and used the 416A woofer paired with the 806A high-frequency driver and 811B horn, routed through the N-800G crossover. After 1970, the updated model dropped to 8 Ω, adopted the 416-8A woofer and 807-8A driver, and used the revised N801-8A network — aligning it with the A7-8 configuration. This shift likely improved compatibility with the increasingly common solid-state amplifiers of the era, which favored lower impedance loads. Despite these internal changes, the cabinet remained consistent: the 859A enclosure, tuned as a bass reflex system, housed both iterations.

The speaker’s frequency response spans from 35 Hz to 20 kHz, a bold claim for its time, and it was rated for 30W continuous input with an allowable peak of 50W. That power handling, combined with its horn-loaded design, suggests an efficiency that would cut through large rooms without demanding massive amplification — though exact sensitivity figures are not documented. The cabinet itself measures 700 mm wide, 760 mm tall, and 490 mm deep, enclosing a net volume of approximately 5.3 cubic feet, providing ample space for the 38 cm cone woofer to breathe. Whether in stereo pairs or part of a broader ensemble, the 846A was engineered for presence.

Specifications

Key Features

Wooden Lattice Grill with Spanish Tile Motif

The most visually arresting element of the 846A Valencia is its front grille — a wooden lattice that directly references 16th-century decorative tiles from the Valencia region of Spain. This wasn’t a generic “Mediterranean” flourish; it was a deliberate design echo, turning the speaker into a piece of acoustic furniture. Unlike the fabric-covered baffles common in high-end audio of the era, the 846A wore its artistry on the outside. While visually striking, the solid wood lattice may slightly influence off-axis dispersion — a trade-off for aesthetic distinction.

38 cm Cone Woofer with Bass Reflex Loading

Mounted within the 859A cabinet, the 38 cm (approximately 15-inch) cone woofer handles the low end with authority. In both early and late versions, The bass reflex tuning of the 859A cabinet enhances low-frequency extension without requiring excessive cabinet volume, helping the 846A achieve its rated 35 Hz output. The port’s placement and internal design are not detailed in available documentation, but the system’s theatrical lineage suggests an emphasis on punch and presence over deep sub-bass accuracy.

Horn-Loaded High-Frequency Section (806A/807-8A + 811B)

The high-frequency section is pure Altec: a compression driver mated to the 811B horn, delivering the brand’s signature “theater sound.” Early models used the 806A driver, while post-1970 revisions adopted the 807-8A, likely to better match the 8 Ω system impedance. The crossover point at 800 Hz — steep at 12 dB/octave — suggests a deliberate hand-off between drivers,

859A Cabinet with Dual Market Variants

The 859A cabinet served as the structural and acoustic foundation for both versions of the 846A. It was offered in two forms: the Altec original and a designated domestic type, possibly indicating differences in finish, materials sourcing, or assembly location. The domestic variant may have been intended for cost-sensitive markets, though the core acoustics remained consistent. The cabinet’s bass reflex tuning and internal volume (5.3 cu ft) were optimized for the 38 cm woofer, balancing low-end extension with cabinet size. No information is available on internal bracing or damping materials, but the build quality reflects Altec’s industrial standards of the period.

Historical Context

Launched in 1967, the 846A Valencia arrived during a period of transition in home audio — as stereo systems moved from niche hobbyist setups to living room centerpieces. It was positioned as a premium, medium-sized system that brought professional-grade components into domestic spaces. Its success stemmed not only from sound quality but from its ability to function as a design object. The Valencia line extended beyond the 846A: the 880A (ValenciaII) and 883A (ValenciaIII) were sold separately as matching center cabinets, allowing users to build a full stereo ensemble. The 883A, in particular, offered walnut hand finishing and internal space for a tuner, amplifier, turntable, and tape deck — effectively serving as a complete audio console. This modular approach reflected a vision of integrated, furniture-grade hi-fi systems that anticipated later high-end audio trends.

Collectibility & Value

Original pricing is documented only for the Japanese market, where the 846A carried a premium. Around 1970, the Altec original version retailed for ¥276,300, rising to ¥305,400 after the 1970 revision. The domestic variant was priced lower, at ¥193,400 initially and ¥240,000 post-revision. Cabinet-only prices for the 859A ranged from ¥48,000 to ¥127,200, depending on version and configuration. In today’s market, complete pairs of Altec Lansing 846A Valencia speakers in original condition have been observed selling between $2,000 and $4,500, with outliers reaching $9,000 for fully restored, all-original units. Replacement grills alone have sold for as much as $475, underscoring their iconic status. Listings on platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Carousell reflect strong demand, particularly in North America and Asia. No documented common failures or maintenance issues are available, though horn drivers of this era often require reconing or diaphragm replacement after decades of use.

eBay Listings

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