Altec 402A

At 10-11 ohms DCR, this 8-inch driver has the quiet confidence of vintage alnico iron

Overview

The Altec 402A has no chrome trim and no exotic wood. It is a utilitarian steel frame with serious engineering inside. Depending on the source, it is sold as either a woofer or a full-range driver, so it sits in an odd spot in Altec's mid-century lineup. Owners report a high-efficiency, wideband design, which suggests it was built to move air without demanding high power. That was a prized trait in the tube amplifier era. Its exact production span is undocumented, but a verified pair turned up with a 1959 date stamp, which puts it in the late 1950s. Used as a low-end anchor or a midrange workhorse, the 402A was clearly engineered for performance over presentation Audio (Aug 1960, p.43).

The 402A looks modest, but it carries Altec's pro-audio heritage. It has a paper cone, a cloth accordion surround, and a heavy stamped steel basket. That is a build from a time when durability and serviceability mattered more than mass production. It was meant to be heard, maintained, and relied upon. Surviving documentation gives no official frequency response, sensitivity, or power handling figures. Owners consistently describe the sound as articulate, particularly in the midrange, with a liveliness that modern ferrite drivers often struggle to replicate.

Key Features

High Efficiency, Wideband Design

Sources describe the 402A as a high-efficiency, wideband driver, which is a rare combination for an 8-inch unit of its era. That suggests it was engineered to cover a broad frequency range without excessive power input, so it is a natural match for low-wattage tube amplifiers. According to owners, it delivers an articulate midrange and responsive dynamics.

Distinctive Slanted Box Magnet Structure

The magnet assembly is one of the 402A's most visually striking features. A cylindrical alnico magnet sits in a slanted box structure with one side left open. This unusual design likely served both thermal and magnetic efficiency, letting heat dissipate while keeping a focused magnetic field.

Cloth Accordion Edge Surround

The 402A has a treated cloth accordion edge surround, a suspension known for its longevity and consistent performance. Foam and rubber surrounds degrade. Cloth edges, when kept in stable environments, can remain supple for decades. That is a key reason working examples still surface in good condition.

Heavy Stamped Steel Frame

The heavy stamped steel frame provides a rigid foundation, minimizing resonance and ensuring the cone and voice coil operate in precise alignment. The steel construction was cost-effective and robust, ideal for both consumer and professional applications. It’s a no-frills component that underscores the 402A’s workhorse character.

Historical Context

The 402A found a home in at least two Altec-designed bookshelf systems: the Lido and the Catalina. In the Catalina, it served as the woofer, paired with the 755B high-frequency driver. The crossover was minimal, just an inductor to roll off the highs. That suggests the 402A was trusted to handle a significant portion of the audio spectrum with minimal assistance. It also appeared in the Monterey Jr., the 834A, and the Model Seven systems, where it was often mounted in bass reflex enclosures. That indicates versatility across different acoustic alignments.

Collectibility & Value

Documented collector data is sparse, but anecdotal reports suggest the 402A remains a sleeper favorite. One verified pair was listed as dating from 1959. Owners consistently praise its sound, with descriptions like “they sound really good” and “articulate midrange” recurring across listings. It is not as celebrated as the 416B or 417A. No current market prices or common failure modes are documented, but the cloth surround and paper cone suggest climate stability is key to long-term preservation.