Altec Lansing 802-8E High-Frequency Compression Driver (1960s–1970s)
A 7.25-pound aluminum-diaphragm compression driver rated by Altec at 104 dB. It's the refined 802 that gave the Voice of the Theatre its top end.
Overview
The Altec Lansing 802-8E is a high-frequency compression driver. It's the version of the 802 that collectors tend to hunt for first when they rebuild a period-correct Altec system. Altec's own 1976 product literature lists it at 7.25 lbs (3.3 kg). That's a small package for what it does. The design is a compact, high-efficiency motor assembly meant to bolt onto a horn and disappear behind a baffle.
The driver is built around an aluminum diaphragm and a 1¾-inch (4.5 cm) voice coil. Altec's 1976 catalog rates it at 40 watts continuous, 100 watts program, and 10 watts in the third column of that power-capacity table. Those read like a professional duty rating, not a consumer spec sheet. Frequency response is given as 500-20,000 Hz, and pressure sensitivity is rated at 104 dB. Nominal impedance is 8 ohms.
Altec's own manual describes the 802-8E as the high-frequency engine of the 9846-8A monitor, where it was paired with the 511B sectoral horn and the 411-8A 15-inch woofer in a sealed enclosure. In that application, Altec claimed the 802-8E "provides extended high-frequency response beyond 16 kHz." That's a manufacturer's claim, not an independent measurement, but it's the number Altec put in print.
The 802-8E sits at a specific point in Altec's driver lineup. It isn't the biggest or the most sensitive driver Altec made. The 288-8G, for comparison, is rated at 109 dB with a 2.8-inch voice coil and weighs 29.25 lbs. The 802-8E is a smaller-format driver, and that was the point: it was designed to work in the more modest enclosures that most studios and home listeners could actually accommodate.
Key Features
Aluminum Diaphragm and 1¾-Inch Voice Coil
The 802-8E uses an aluminum diaphragm, which Altec's 1976 literature lists alongside a 1¾-inch (4.5 cm) voice coil diameter. The aluminum is lighter and stiffer than the phenolic diaphragms used in some other Altec drivers of the era, and it contributes to the fast transient response that owners report from these drivers. The 1¾-inch coil is the smaller of Altec's two common formats - the 288-series drivers use a 2.8-inch coil - and it lets the 802-8E fit into smaller horn assemblies without the bulk of the large-format motors.
104 dB Sensitivity
Altec rates the 802-8E at 104 dB SPL. That's a high number, and it has practical consequences. A driver this sensitive will produce substantial output from a few watts, which is what made it viable in the vacuum-tube era when amplifier power was expensive. It also means any hiss or hum from a preamp or crossover will be audible. The 802-8E doesn't need power. It needs a clean signal.
40/100/10 Watt Power Capacity
The 1976 Altec catalog lists the 802-8E's power capacity as 40 watts continuous, 100 watts program, and 10 watts in a third column. In Altec's table format, the three columns typically represent different measurement conditions or duty ratings, and the 10-watt figure is the most conservative of the three. For a driver rated at 104 dB sensitivity, 10 watts is still enough to produce well over 110 dB. It isn't a fragile driver, but it isn't a 200-watt modern compression driver either, and it shouldn't be treated as one.
1-Inch Throat for Sectoral Horns
The 802-8E mounts to a 1-inch throat, and Altec designed it for use with sectoral horns. The 511B is the horn Altec paired it with in the 9846-8A monitor, and the 811B is the other common match. The horn isn't a passive accessory here. It's the load the driver was designed around. Running an 802-8E without the correct horn won't damage it, but it won't produce the response Altec specified either.
Historical Context
Altec's own 1976 product manual places the 802-8E in the A7-500-8 system, where it was paired with the 416-8B woofer, the 511B horn, and the N501-8A network. That's the "Voice of the Theatre" configuration most collectors will recognize: a two-way system with a 15-inch woofer crossing over to a horn-loaded compression driver, built for cinema and studio use.
The 802-8E also appears in the 9846-8A monitor, described by Altec as a "medium-efficiency monitor with exceptional response at the extreme ends of the audio band." The 9846-8A used the 411-8A 15-inch woofer in a sealed enclosure, crossed to the 802-8E on a 511B horn. Altec's literature credits the 802-8E with providing "the presence and punch that have made Altec monitors famous."
Beyond Altec's own systems, the 802-8E was widely used in broadcast studios and recording facilities, where its efficiency and durability made it a practical choice for monitoring. Altec's literature describes it as "specifically engineered for use in professional environments where reliability and sonic accuracy were paramount." That's manufacturer language, but it fits the construction: a sealed motor assembly with a replaceable diaphragm, built to be serviced rather than discarded.
Collectibility & Value
The 802-8E is a collectible driver, and the market reflects that. Working units in original condition typically sell in the $150 to $300 range. Condition, completeness, and whether original mounting hardware or horns are included drive the price. Drivers with matching serial numbers or original packaging command a premium, and professionally restored units sell for more than unrestored examples.
The main maintenance concern with any 802-8E today is the diaphragm. Aluminum diaphragms can develop fatigue cracks or deformation over decades of use, and a damaged diaphragm will produce distortion or reduced output. Replacement diaphragms are available from specialty suppliers. Check fitment carefully, though. The 802 series used several diaphragm variants over its production life, and not every replacement is correct for every suffix.
The magnet assembly is the other long-term concern. Alnico magnets can lose strength over time, particularly if the driver has been stored in poor conditions or subjected to physical shock. A weakened magnet will reduce sensitivity and change the driver's response. Remagnetization is possible but requires a shop with the right equipment, and it's not a DIY procedure.
Before buying, check the voice coil for free movement. A coil that rubs or scrapes indicates misalignment, which usually means impact damage or a failed diaphragm. Inspect the input terminals and internal wiring for corrosion or cracked solder joints, both of which are common in drivers this old. Confirm that the horn you intend to use is a proper match. The 802-8E was designed around Altec's sectoral horns, and the 511B or 811B are the safe choices.
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