Altec 414 (1970)

Name: Altec 414
Brand: Altec

At 6.8kg and with a 314mm face, this 12-inch woofer has a lot of magnet in a compact frame.

Overview

Altec Lansing released the 414 in 1970 as a 30 cm cone low frequency unit. It was meant to give deep, full bass even in cabinets with fairly small internal volume. That made it a practical choice for compact speaker systems, and it still had the low-end authority you expect from a 12-inch driver. It went into the Altec 844A speaker system, where it could handle crossover duty as high as 1.5kHz, sometimes even up to 2-3kHz. That let the companion midrange and tweeter drivers work in easier frequency bands.

People usually just say "Altec 414," but there are several variants, including the 414-8B, 414-8C, 414-16C, and others. They differ mainly in impedance and possibly internal construction. The 8-ohm versions (-8B, -8C) are the ones most often found today, though 16-ohm variants like the 414-16C are noted as increasingly sought after. The driver has a 76mm voice coil and a 10,000 gauss magnetic flux density, which helps with control and power handling. The frame is aluminum die-cast and feels industrial and built to last, even if some owners describe the outward appearance as "rather scruffy."

The 414 is still used in vintage audio circles as a working part, not a relic. Great Plains Audio (GPA) now makes a new version of the 414-8B, which points to ongoing demand. Restorations are common, with enthusiasts reconing the drivers and servicing the magnets. A driver from 1970 still commands attention, and prices to match.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Altec Lansing
Model Rating Type	30 cm cone type woofer unit
Frequency characteristic	30 Hz to 4 kHz
Lowest resonance frequency	30Hz
Impedance	8 Ω (for -8B/-8C variants); 16Ω variants (e.g., -16C) also exist
Power Handling	50W (Allowable input)
Magnetic flux density	10,000 gauss
Recommended crossover frequency	1.5kHz
Output sound pressure level	98 dB (New JIS)
Voice Coil Diameter	76mm
External dimensions	Diameter 314 x Depth 150 mm
Weight	6.8kg
Free-air resonance (Fs) for 414-8B	25.6 Hz (reportedly)
DC resistance for 414-8B	8-ohm (reportedly)
Sensitivity	in the 96-98 dB/W/m range (according to available documentation)

Key Features

30cm Cone with High Upper Frequency Limit

Many large woofers of its time needed low crossover points to avoid harshness. The Altec 414 was engineered to extend cleanly into the upper bass and lower midrange. Its frequency characteristic reaches up to 4 kHz, and owners report that it can be crossed over as high as 2-3 kHz in practice. That took load off the midrange drivers and simplified crossover design in multi-way systems.

Compact Cabinet Compatibility

Despite its 12-inch size, the 414 was designed to perform well in enclosures with limited internal volume. That mattered in home audio, where bulky speaker cabinets were impractical. Low resonance (30Hz nominal, 25.6Hz for the 414-8B variant) and high magnetic flux density let it deliver deep, controlled bass without a large sealed or ported box.

Aluminum Die-Cast Frame

The aluminum die-cast frame adds rigidity and helps dissipate heat. It gives the driver a solid, precision-built feel and helps maintain alignment under high excursions. That reflects Altec's focus on durability and performance consistency, which counted in professional and high-fidelity applications.

76mm Voice Coil with 10,000 Gauss Magnet

The large 76mm voice coil works with the 10,000 gauss magnetic circuit to give strong motor force and thermal resilience. This supports the 50W power handling rating and the driver's reportedly high efficiency, with sensitivity estimated between 96 and 98 dB/W/m. That makes it a good match for lower-powered tube amplifiers, which many vintage system builders care about.

Collectibility & Value

Original pricing for the Altec 414 was ¥44,000 per unit at its 1970 release. Used 414-8B drivers in alleged good condition have traded for $700 per pair. The new production 414-8B from Great Plains Audio (GPA) costs a good deal more, at $2,460 per pair. Restoration is common, with technicians and hobbyists reconing and refurbishing original units, which suggests the driver is durable but age-related wear is expected. The 414-16C variant is noted as particularly sought after, though specific pricing data for it is not available.