Altec 846B Valencia
1974 - 1980s
The Altec 846B Valencia is the second-generation Valencia, introduced in 1974 to succeed the original 846A. It is a bookshelf-style floorstanding speaker built around professional Voice of the Theatre components, in a more compact, furniture-friendly cabinet than the horn systems it borrows from.
Specifications
| Type | 2-way, bass-reflex floorstanding loudspeaker |
|---|---|
| Low Frequency Driver | 416-8A 15" woofer |
| High Frequency Driver | 806-8A compression driver on 811B horn |
| Crossover | N801-8A network |
| Crossover Frequency | 800 Hz |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 Ω |
| Power Handling | 50W continuous program |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/W/m (New JIS) |
| Frequency Response | 40 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Dimensions | 673 mm W × 752 mm H × 514 mm D (26.5" × 29.6" × 20.2") |
| Weight | 44.9 kg (99 lbs) per speaker |
Driver Configuration
The 846B Valencia uses the same professional-grade components as the Voice of the Theatre A7-8 system:
- Woofer: 416-8A - 15" cast-frame woofer with Alnico V magnet, 3" voice coil
- Compression Driver: 806-8A - 1.75" diaphragm compression driver
- Horn: 811B - 90° × 40° exponential sectoral horn
- Crossover: N801-8A - 800 Hz crossover network
Cabinet Design
The 846B was a significant redesign of the earlier 846A. The basic bass-reflex layout stayed the same. What changed was the front: a deep-slit grille that became the 846B's visual signature. The cabinet was high-quality plywood with internal bracing and acoustic damping materials.
The 846A looked more like a piece of furniture. The 846B was more modern and angular, in line with mid-1970s design trends. It came in oiled walnut veneer or vinyl woodgrain finishes, with removable acoustic fabric grille cloth covering the vertical slit openings.
Evolution from 846A
The 846B made several improvements over the original 846A Valencia (introduced in 1966):
- Updated Drivers: 416-8A woofer and 806-8A compression driver (vs. 416-8Z and 806A in early 846A)
- Revised Crossover: N801-8A network with optimized components
- Modernized Styling: Angular cabinet with distinctive vertical grille slits
- Improved Bass Response: Tuned port design refinements for better low-frequency extension
Performance Characteristics
The 846B Valencia is renowned for its:
- Exceptional Dynamics: 100 dB sensitivity allows for lifelike dynamics with modest amplification
- Natural Midrange: The horn-loaded compression driver provides clarity and presence without harshness
- Authoritative Bass: The 416 woofer in the tuned enclosure delivers solid bass into the 40 Hz range
- Wide Soundstage: The 811B horn provides excellent dispersion and imaging
- High Efficiency: Perfect match for low-powered tube amplifiers and vintage receivers
Historical Context
The 846B Valencia arrived in 1974, when the speaker market was shifting toward smaller, more domestically acceptable designs. There was still strong demand for the dynamic, lifelike sound that only horn-loaded systems could provide.
The Valencia series was Altec's effort to bring professional studio and theater sound into the home. Packaging Voice of the Theatre components in furniture-grade cabinets let Altec appeal to both serious audiophiles and design-conscious consumers.
The 846B was positioned as a premium home speaker, competing with models from JBL, Klipsch, and other high-efficiency speaker makers. Its $268,000 yen price in Japan (approximately $900 USD in 1976) put it in the upper mid-range of the market.
Design Philosophy
The Valencia followed several key Altec design principles:
- Professional Heritage: Using proven studio/theater components for uncompromising performance
- High Efficiency: Maximizing output per watt for dynamic realism and compatibility with tube amplification
- Controlled Directivity: Horn loading for consistent dispersion and reduced room interaction
- Furniture Integration: Balancing acoustic performance with domestic aesthetics
Amplifier Pairing
With 100 dB sensitivity, the 846B Valencia works well with:
- Low-powered tube amplifiers (5-30 watts)
- Classic solid-state receivers from the 1970s
- Single-ended triode (SET) amplifiers
- Modern high-efficiency class D amplifiers
The 8Ω impedance makes the Valencia compatible with virtually any amplifier, unlike some earlier 16Ω Altec models.
Legacy and Collectibility
The 846B Valencia is highly sought after by vintage audio enthusiasts today. Professional-grade components, high efficiency and distinctive 1970s styling have made it a collector's favorite. Well-restored examples command premium prices, often selling for $1,500-$2,500 per pair depending on condition.
Many consider the Valencia series the direct predecessor to the Model 19, which refined the concept with updated drivers and crossover design. Owners often describe the Valencia as having a "live" quality, with exceptional presence and dynamics.
Common restoration projects include:
- Recapping the N801-8A crossover networks
- Refoaming the 416 woofers (if needed)
- Replacing horn diaphragms with modern equivalents from Great Plains Audio
- Cabinet refinishing and grille cloth replacement
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Images
The following sources may have images of this equipment. Always verify license terms and provide proper attribution when required.
Source 1: HiFi Wiki
- Link: HiFi Wiki
- License: Varies - check individual image
- Attribution Required: Yes
- Commercial Use: Unknown - verify on site
- Notes: User-contributed content. Attribution recommended.
Source 2: HiFi Engine
- Link: HiFi Engine
- License: User-contributed manuals
- Attribution Required: Yes
- Commercial Use: Reference only
- Notes: Great for specs/manuals. Request permission for images.
Source 3: Audio Database
- Link: Audio Database
- License: User-contributed
- Attribution Required: Yes
- Commercial Use: Unknown
- Notes: Verify license before use.
Source 4: Radio Museum
- Link: Radio Museum
- License: User-contributed
- Attribution Required: Yes
- Commercial Use: Unknown
- Notes: Attribution required for user photos.
Attribution Notice: This page links to external image sources. When using images from these sources, ensure you comply with their license terms. CC0 images require no attribution. CC BY and CC BY-SA images require attribution.
Documentation
- Altec 1968 Enclosure Design Guide (includes Valencia plans)
- Altec Sound Products Catalog (1970s)
Related Models
- Altec 1803B
- Altec 23746 (1975)
- Altec 26421 (1975)
- Altec 288-16G
- Altec 288-8H/16H
- Braun AUDIO-1 (1965)
- Braun AUDIO-250 (1965)
- Magnavox Component Systems (1972)
- Acoustic Research AR (1967-1976)
- Acoustic Research 11