Altec Lansing Voice of the Theatre (1947)

Name: Altec Lansing Voice of the Theatre
Brand: Altec Lansing

A high-efficiency horn loudspeaker system developed for professional theatre sound, later revered in audiophile and live music circles

Overview

The Altec Lansing Voice of the Theatre (VOTT) is a loudspeaker system launched in 1947, designed to replace Western Electric’s pre-war theatre speakers with a more practical and accessible alternative. Developed by John Hilliard and James B. Lansing, it quickly became the de facto standard for cinema sound across the U.S., earning a technical award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. By 1955, the Academy officially adopted VOTT systems as the industry standard. The line includes models A1, A2, A4, A5, and A7, with the A5 and A7 using the Altec 828 bass cabinet and a 15-inch 515-series woofer. The A7 is a 2-way bass reflex horn speaker. These systems were widely used in movie theaters, concert halls, and rock concerts from the 1960s to the 1990s, including custom setups at Woodstock and by The Grateful Dead in their early PA systems.

Specifications

Product type	Loudspeaker system
Specific models	A1, A2, A4, A5, A7
Woofer size (A5/A7)	15-inch
Woofer impedance (515-series)	8 ohm or 16 ohm
Woofer efficiency (515-series)	104 dB ~ 105.5 dB
Woofer frequency response	20 Hz ~ 1,000 Hz
High-frequency driver	288C compression driver
HF driver voice coil	2.8-inch
HF driver variants	288-8K (8Ω), 288-16K (16Ω), 288C (24Ω), 288-32K (32Ω)
HF frequency response	500 Hz ~ 16,000 Hz
HF sensitivity	115 dB
Crossover frequency	500 Hz or 800 Hz (factory typical)

Design

The Voice of the Theatre system combines 15-inch woofers in a folded bass horn enclosure with high-frequency compression drivers mounted above on sectoral or multicellular horns—later versions used Mantaray horns. The 515-series woofers feature Alnico V magnet structures, with later models transitioning to Ferrite and Ceramic magnets. Horns and magnet assemblies are mounted on metal ‘sled’ supports attached to the 828 bass cabinet, with placement optimized for time alignment. The A2 model configures two 210 low-frequency cabinets with four 515E drivers and one 1005B horn with two 288-16K high-frequency drivers. The system is characterized as a large woofer and horn combo.

Context

The Voice of the Theatre line was developed to meet the demand for a modern, high-fidelity theatre speaker system as Western Electric was seen as outdated and cumbersome. It achieved widespread adoption in U.S. theatres and auditoriums from the 1950s through the 1970s. The A5 and A7 models gained a cult following among Japanese hi-fi enthusiasts in the 1980s and 1990s, often used in jazz kissa (coffee shops) and paired with tube amplifiers. Their reputation for "harmonic integrity and musical realism" led to descriptions like "love at first listen," with listeners noting the system's ability to reproduce "the strong touch of metal string, the sharp rise of tone timbre, and furthermore the furious penetrating sound field."

Market

Originally priced at $525 each in 1945, a pair of A5 or A7 models in decent condition sold for $2,500 to $5,000 USD as of 2022. Value depends heavily on cabinet condition and whether all original components remain intact. Lower-cost finds, such as $400 pairs, have been reported on Craigslist, though these likely reflect incomplete or restored units.