Altec 832A Corona ("The Corner Horn")

Name: Altec 832A Corona
Brand: Altec

1957 - 1960s

Altec 832A Corona - California Modernist corner horn (1957-1960s)

The Altec 832A Corona is a distinctive corner-horn speaker system from the late 1950s, designed as "art speakers" for well-decorated homes. With cabinets custom-made by Glenn of California in the California Modernist style, these speakers were intended to blend seamlessly into room corners as functional furniture while delivering professional-grade audio performance.

Specifications

Type	2-way, corner-horn loudspeaker system
Low Frequency Driver	803A 15" free-edged woofer (1947-1958)
High Frequency Driver	802D compression driver (1957-1972)
Horn	811B 90° x 40° exponential sectoral horn
Crossover	N-800-E network
Crossover Frequency	800 Hz
Nominal Impedance	16 Ω
Power Handling	30-50 watts
Sensitivity	97 dB/W/m
Frequency Response	35 Hz - 18 kHz
Dimensions	37-3/8" W x 39" H x 24-3/8" D
Weight	Approximately 122 lbs per speaker

Design Philosophy

The Corona was designed as a corner-horn system, with triangular cabinets that fit perfectly into room corners. Unlike true corner horns, the bass driver is not horn-loaded but operates in a bass-reflex enclosure. The cabinets feature "sealed" backs rather than semi-open backs that would make the wall part of an extended horn.

What made the Corona unique was its furniture-grade construction. The cabinets were custom-made for Altec by Glenn of California, a craft furniture maker producing pieces in the popular California Modernist style of the 1940s-1950s. Customers could order Coronas styled to complement their existing Glenn of California furniture.

Driver Components

Woofer: 803A - 15" free-edged woofer with Alnico magnet. Keith Aschenbrenner of Auditorium 23 has called the 803A one of his all-time favorite low-frequency drivers.
Compression Driver: 802D - 1.75" diaphragm compression driver with Alnico magnet structure
Horn: 811B - The smaller 90° x 40° exponential sectoral horn was chosen to keep the enclosure size manageable for home use
Crossover: N-800-E - 800 Hz crossover network

Historical Context

Introduced in 1957, the Corona sold for $762 per pair. Adjusted for inflation, this would be approximately $6,700 in 2018 dollars. As a comparison, a 1957 Chevrolet Corvette sold for $3,176.

The Corona was part of Altec's strategy to bring professional audio components into the home market. While the larger A5 and A7 Voice of the Theatre systems used 500 Hz crossovers and larger horns for professional applications, the Corona and similar home models used 800 Hz crossovers and smaller horns to maintain reasonable cabinet dimensions.

Performance Characteristics

Owners report the Corona delivers:

Superb Tone: The 803A woofer is known for its musicality and presence
Startling Dynamics: High sensitivity allows for lifelike dynamics even with low-powered amplifiers
Vivid Presence: The horn-loaded compression driver provides clarity without harshness
Captivating Musicality: Many owners describe the Corona as having a "magical" quality

Placement and Setup

While designed as corner speakers, the Corona can also perform well as free-standing speakers. Owners report they benefit from being placed closer to the front wall, which provides a more natural overall balance. The triangular cabinet design gives them an attractive appearance while allowing them to fit well into room corners.

Amplifier Pairing

With 97 dB sensitivity, the Corona works beautifully with:

Low-powered tube amplifiers (5-20 watts)
Vintage solid-state receivers
Modern high-efficiency amplifiers

The high impedance (16 Ω) makes them compatible with a wide range of amplifiers, including vintage tube equipment.

Legacy

The Corona represents a unique moment in audio history when high-fidelity speakers were designed as furniture art pieces. Their Glenn of California cabinets make them highly collectible today, not just for their sound but as examples of mid-century modern design.

Well-preserved Coronas command premium prices on the vintage market, with restored pairs often selling for $5,000-$6,000. They remain highly sought after by collectors who appreciate both their audio performance and their historical significance as "art speakers" from the golden age of hi-fi.