Altec Lansing 815A (1960s)

It weighs 63 kg. It's a big, heavy bass cabinet built for low-end output.

Overview

The Altec Lansing 815A is not a full-range speaker system. It's a low-frequency cabinet, marketed as an LF speaker cabinet or "bass bin," from the days before powered subs were common. It was designed for professional and high-end audio setups where punch and projection mattered more than finesse. Altec built it in the 1960s, in the plain, durable style of the era. It uses a front-loaded short horn design with a tuned bass reflex cabinet, which balances efficiency against extension. User reports say it doesn't go below 100 Hz.

Owners report running the 815A with other drivers, such as Altec 808-8A midranges or JBL D130s. That points to a multi-cabinet system, not a standalone speaker. A professional studio equipment inventory from 1979 lists it, so it stayed in use well after its release. Current owners are mixed on it. One asks "are these good for anything," and another says attempts to sell a pair had gone nowhere.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Altec Lansing
Product type	Enclosure / Speaker System
Design	Front-loaded short horn enclosure
Cabinet type	tuned bass reflex
Driver configuration	dual 15-inch woofers
Number of mounted speakers	2
Low-frequency limit	not effective below 100 Hz
External dimensions	850 mm (W) x 1,130 mm (H) x 830 mm (D)
Weight	63 kg
Original price	¥164,000 (approx. 1975)

Key Features

Front-Loaded Short Horn Enclosure

The 815A uses a front-loaded short horn design. Altec used it to get more efficiency out of the driver without needing a deep cabinet. The dual 15-inch woofers get more control and output at moderate bass frequencies, and the trade-off is a hard cutoff below 100 Hz. Unlike the infinite baffle or transmission line designs of the era, the short horn focuses on mid-bass punch. That suits studio monitoring or PA work where clarity in the lower mids mattered more than subsonic rumble.

Tuned Bass Reflex Cabinet

The cabinet is also described as a tuned bass reflex, despite the horn loading. That suggests a port or vent to extend response and raise efficiency near the lower limit of the drivers' range. Horn-loaded drivers in a reflex cabinet was an uncommon combination, and it looks like an attempt to squeeze every possible decibel out of the operating band. The tuning likely reinforces output near 100 Hz and makes up for the natural roll-off of the short horn.

Dual 15-Inch Woofer Configuration

The 815A has two 15-inch woofers and is described as bold and dynamic, with deep, punchy, articulate bass within its range. Two drivers mean more cone area and more output, which suits places that needed high sound pressure levels. The original foam surrounds are known to degrade over time. It's a common failure point, and the drivers need refoaming to work reliably.

L-Pad Damping Adjustment

User discussions mention an L-pad (inductance-based attenuator) as a way to control unwanted resonance or "ringing" in the drivers. That suggests the system could be tuned, so technicians could dampen specific resonant frequencies to blend with companion speakers. It also adds complexity to maintenance and setup.

Uncertain Driver Diaphragm Material

One owner said, "I'm not sure if it's plastic or Bakelite," probably about a driver's dust cap or phase plug. There's no complete technical documentation for the 815A, so restorers are left guessing during refurbishment. Either material would be typical for the period, and Bakelite was favored for its rigidity and damping properties.

Collectibility & Value

Available records give no documented market value or collectibility trend for the Altec Lansing 815A. It shows up on the used market only now and then, and at least one owner reports unsuccessful attempts to sell a pair. The main maintenance concern is foam rot on the 15-inch woofers, a widespread problem with vintage drivers. They need refoaming to restore performance and prevent further damage. The cabinet's weight and size make it impractical for many modern setups. Its use in a 1979 studio confirms its professional background. Today it mostly appeals to people restoring vintage systems and collectors focused on Altec's industrial-era engineering.