Altec Lansing Model 508
At 28 kilograms and nearly a meter tall, this sealed tower speaker delivers 90.5 dB with a pair of carbon fiber woofers and vapor-deposited dome drivers.
Overview
The Altec Lansing Model 508 is a tall boy type 3-way, 4-speaker floor standing system built for serious listening. Weighing in at 28.0kg and standing 1,016 mm high, it commands space both physically and sonically. Its hermetically sealed enclosure suggests a focus on controlled bass response, avoiding the potential boominess of vented designs. The system employs two 20 cm cone woofers with carbon fiber diaphragms, a 5 cm dome midrange, and a 2.5 cm dome tweeter — a configuration aimed at balanced full-range reproduction.
The 4 Ω impedance demands capable amplification, and the system is reportedly designed to work best with amplifiers rated between 125 and 250 watts per channel — matching its 125W rated and 250W maximum input capacity. With a sensitivity of 90.5dB/W/m, it’s not especially efficient, meaning it won’t come alive with low-powered amps. The crossover points at 550 Hz and 3.5 kHz suggest a carefully staged handoff between drivers, aiming for coherence across the audible spectrum.
The entire exterior is finished in walnut natural wood, giving it a warm, traditional aesthetic that blends into vintage hi-fi setups without drawing undue attention. While the design prioritizes acoustic function — particularly in the dual-woofer layout — the wood finish adds a touch of classic craftsmanship. There is no evidence of mass-market cost-cutting; the construction and materials imply a focus on durability and sonic integrity.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Altec Lansing |
| Model | Model 508 |
| Product type | Tall boy type 3-way speaker system |
| System type | 3-Way, 4-Speaker, Sealed System, Tall Boy Type |
| Low frequency driver | Two 20 cm cone type woofers with carbon fiber diaphragm |
| Midrange driver | 5 cm dome type |
| High frequency driver | 2.5 cm dome type tweeter |
| Driver diaphragm material (midrange & tweeter) | Polyimide resin diaphragms that have undergone a titanium vapor deposition process |
| Impedance | 4 Ω |
| Rated input | 125W |
| Max input | 250W |
| Output sound pressure level (sensitivity) | 90.5dB/W/m |
| Crossover frequency | 550 Hz, 3.5 kHz |
| External dimensions | Width 273 x Height 1,016 x Depth 279 mm |
| Weight | 28.0kg |
| Enclosure type | Hermetically sealed |
| Exterior finish | Walnut natural wood is used for the whole exterior finish |
| Amplifier compatibility | The system is designed for use with power amplifiers rated from 125 to 250 watts per channel. |
Key Features
Double 20 cm Carbon Fiber Woofers in a Sealed Cabinet
The decision to use two 20 cm cone woofers is central to the Model 508’s design philosophy. According to available documentation, “by making it a double woofer type, the low sound reproduction ability is improved.” In practice, this likely means increased cone area and air displacement, allowing for deeper and more authoritative bass without requiring a ported enclosure. The use of carbon fiber diaphragms adds stiffness, reducing cone flex and distortion during high-excursion operation. Being housed in a hermetically sealed enclosure, the bass response is expected to be tight and well-damped, with a roll-off characteristic typical of closed-box designs. While this may sacrifice some efficiency compared to bass-reflex systems, it gains in transient accuracy and low-end control — a trade-off favored by purists.
Polyimide Resin Drivers with Titanium Vapor Deposition
The midrange and tweeter utilize polyimide resin diaphragms that have undergone a titanium vapor deposition process. This technique enhances the structural rigidity of the dome without significantly increasing mass — a critical balance in high-frequency reproduction. A stiffer dome resists breakup modes at higher frequencies, leading to cleaner, more detailed output. The 5 cm dome midrange sits in a transitional zone between bass and treble, and its material properties likely contribute to a smooth vocal and instrumental presence. Paired with the 2.5 cm tweeter, the vapor-deposited diaphragm aims to extend high-frequency response with precision, though no frequency response range is documented in the source material.
Walnut Natural Wood Exterior Finish
The entire cabinet is finished in walnut natural wood, a choice that reflects the era’s preference for organic, furniture-grade aesthetics in high-end audio. Unlike veneered boxes with plastic grilles or synthetic finishes, the Model 508 presents as a piece of living-room-compatible craftsmanship. The finish covers the whole exterior, suggesting attention to visual continuity. While purely cosmetic, this aspect contributes to the speaker’s presence in a room — it doesn’t hide as audio gear but stands as a deliberate design object. The wood likely also plays a role in damping cabinet resonance, though no structural details about bracing or internal construction are available.
Collectibility & Value
The Model 508 appears intermittently on the used market, primarily through social media listings such as Facebook, where multiple units have been marked as "(SOLD)." This indicates active trading among collectors and audiophiles, though no verified pricing data or trends are available. Some listings include the original owner's manual and warranty sheet, suggesting that complete-in-box examples exist and may carry a premium. Given the lack of documented reviews or widespread acclaim, its collectibility seems driven more by Altec Lansing’s legacy and the speaker’s solid engineering than by cult status. No common failures or maintenance concerns are reported in available sources.
eBay Listings
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