Altec 873A Barcelona

Name: Altec 873A Barcelona
Brand: Altec

1970 - 1970s

The Altec 873A Barcelona was the flagship model of Altec's "Dynamic Force" series, introduced in 1970 as the company's top-of-the-line home speaker system. This massive floorstanding speaker combined professional-grade components with sophisticated sealed enclosure design, offering exceptional bass extension and dynamic range that set new standards for home audio performance.

Specifications

Type	2-way, sealed enclosure floorstanding loudspeaker
Low Frequency Driver	411-8A 15" woofer
High Frequency Driver	808-8A compression driver on 511B horn
Crossover	N501-8A network
Crossover Frequency	500 Hz
Nominal Impedance	8 Ω
Power Handling	60W continuous
Frequency Response	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Dimensions	980 mm W × 760 mm H × 610 mm D (38.6" × 29.9" × 24.0")
Weight	67.6 kg (149 lbs) per speaker

Driver Configuration

The 873A Barcelona used some of Altec's most advanced professional components:

Woofer: 411-8A - 15" heavy-duty woofer with massive magnet structure, designed for extended bass response in sealed enclosures
Compression Driver: 808-8A - High-performance 1.75" diaphragm compression driver
Horn: 511B - Multicellular horn with 90° × 40° dispersion pattern
Crossover: N501-8A - 500 Hz crossover network with level controls

Cabinet Design

The Barcelona featured an exceptionally large sealed enclosure (acoustic suspension) design, which was unusual for Altec who typically favored bass-reflex or horn-loaded bass systems. The massive cabinet volume (approximately 10 cubic feet) allowed the 411-8A woofer to achieve remarkable low-frequency extension down to 20 Hz.

The cabinet construction was exceptionally robust, using thick plywood with extensive internal bracing to minimize panel resonances. The front baffle featured a distinctive two-section design with separate grilles for the woofer and horn. The exterior was finished in premium walnut veneer, giving the Barcelona a sophisticated, furniture-grade appearance.

The Dynamic Force Series

The Barcelona was the inaugural model of Altec's "Dynamic Force" series, which represented a new direction for the company in the early 1970s. This series emphasized:

Extended Bass Response: Sealed enclosures for deeper, tighter bass than traditional horn-loaded designs
Higher Power Handling: 60W continuous rating, exceptional for the era
Sophisticated Crossover Networks: Advanced filtering with level controls for precise tonal balance
Premium Construction: Furniture-grade cabinets with meticulous attention to detail

2873A Active Version

In addition to the standard 873A passive model, Altec offered the 2873A Barcelona which incorporated a built-in 770A electronic crossover and bi-amplifier system. This active version featured:

770A amplifier/crossover unit mounted on the rear panel
Separate 60W LF and 30W HF amplifiers
Electronic crossover at 500 Hz (12 dB/octave)
0.5V RMS input sensitivity
26 dB gain control range
-80 dB or better hum/noise level

The 2873A represented one of the earliest examples of a fully integrated active speaker system for the home market.

Performance Characteristics

The 873A Barcelona was renowned for its:

Exceptional Bass Extension: 20 Hz response from a sealed enclosure was groundbreaking for its time
High Dynamic Range: 60W power handling allowed for concert-level volumes without distortion
Smooth Midrange: The 500 Hz crossover point and 511B horn provided seamless driver integration
Controlled Dispersion: Multicellular horn design for consistent coverage and imaging
Low Distortion: Professional-grade components operated well within their limits

Historical Context

Introduced in 1970 at the dawn of a new decade, the Barcelona represented Altec's response to changing market demands. As music reproduction technology improved (with better turntables, tape decks, and amplifiers), listeners demanded speakers that could deliver the full frequency range with lower distortion and higher power handling.

Priced at ¥426,000 in Japan (approximately $1,400 USD in 1975), the Barcelona was positioned as an ultra-premium product for discerning audiophiles. It competed with the very best from JBL, Tannoy, and other high-end manufacturers during the golden age of American audio.

The Barcelona's sealed enclosure design was particularly noteworthy, as most Altec systems used bass-reflex or horn loading. This demonstrated Altec's engineering flexibility and willingness to adopt different technologies when they offered performance advantages.

Design Philosophy

The Barcelona embodied several advanced design principles:

Sealed Enclosure Advantages: Lower distortion, better transient response, and deeper bass extension compared to ported designs
Professional Component Integration: Using studio-grade drivers in optimized home enclosures
Bi-amplification Ready: The 2873A version pioneered active speaker technology for the home
Furniture Integration: Massive scale balanced by refined aesthetics and premium finishes

Amplifier Requirements

With its 8Ω impedance and 60W power handling, the Barcelona was compatible with a wide range of amplifiers:

High-powered solid-state amplifiers (50-100W+) to fully exploit its dynamic capabilities
Quality tube amplifiers with sufficient power (30W+)
Modern high-current amplifiers for optimal control of the massive 411-8A woofer

The Barcelona's relatively high power requirement (compared to typical high-efficiency Altec designs) reflected its sealed enclosure design and extended bass response goals.

Legacy and Collectibility

The 873A Barcelona is among the rarest and most sought-after Altec home speakers today. Its combination of flagship status, limited production, and exceptional performance has made it a true collector's item. Complete, original examples in good condition can command prices of $3,000-$5,000 per pair or more.

Several factors contribute to the Barcelona's collectibility: