Altec 816A
A low-frequency horn enclosure combining front-loaded short horn and bass reflex design.
Overview
The Altec 816A is a low-frequency horn enclosure designed to enhance bass output using a hybrid acoustic system. Manufactured by Altec, this speaker cabinet integrates both a front-loaded short horn and a bass reflex system to optimize low-end response. It was configured to mount a single speaker driver, though the specific compatible driver model is not documented in available sources. The design aims to balance compactness with acoustic efficiency, leveraging mutual coupling and cluster density principles, though exact implementation details remain limited.
Specifications
| Weight | 43kg |
| External dimensions | Width 760x Height 550x Depth 660 mm |
| Number of mounted speakers | 1 |
| Frequency response | 50-1000 Hz |
Design
This enclosure combines a front-loaded short horn and a bass reflex system, using a horn positioned in front of the driver to increase output in the upper bass and lower midrange frequencies. The design is described as a combination horn-vented box enclosure, intended for compact deployment while maintaining acoustic coupling efficiency.
Market
The Altec 816A had an original price of ¥85,000 per unit around 1975.
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