Altec Lansing 847A Seville (1967)

Name: Altec Lansing 847A Seville
Brand: Altec Lansing

A floor-standing, bass reflex speaker system introduced in 1967, updated in 1970 with revised impedance and driver specifications.

Overview

The Altec Lansing 847A Seville is a 2-way, 2-speaker bass reflex system designed for high-fidelity audio reproduction. Released in 1967, it features a horn-type high-frequency driver and a 30 cm cone woofer, housed in a floor-standing cabinet. The system was updated in 1970, marking a shift from 16 Ω to 8 Ω impedance and a change in the low-frequency driver model. Two cabinet variations were offered in Japan: one using Altec’s original cabinet and another with a designated domestic cabinet, the latter available for separate purchase.

Specifications

System type	2-Way, 2-Speaker, Bass Reflex System, Floor Type
Drivers (First semester/former type)	Low band: 30 cm cone type (414A); High pass: Horn Type (3000H)
Drivers (Late stage/latter type)	Low band: 30 cm cone type (414-8B); High pass: Horn Type (3000H)
Network	N-3000E
Impedance (First semester/former type)	16 Ω
Impedance (Late stage/latter type)	8 Ω
Frequency characteristic	40 Hz to 20 kHz
Input	35W (Allowable Input)
Crossover frequency	3kHz(12dBoct)
External dimensions	Width 480 x Height 660 x Depth 350 mm

Context

The 847A Seville was revised in 1970, reflecting changes in driver and impedance specifications. In Japan, the model was offered with two cabinet options: Altec’s original cabinet and a designated domestic cabinet, which could be purchased separately. The domestic cabinet version was priced lower than the full system, indicating a modular sales approach in that market.

Market

Original pricing in Japan around 1970 was ¥204,200 for the 847A, increasing to ¥224,400 after the 1970 revision. The domestic cabinet version was priced at ¥120,800 (pre-1970) and ¥147,000 (post-1970), while the domestic cabinet alone sold for ¥42,300 (pre-1970) and ¥43,500 (post-1970).