Altec 875A Granada

Name: Altec 875A Granada
Brand: Altec

1970 - 1970s

Altec 875A Granada - Dynamic Force series floorstander (1970)

Born in 1970 as Altec’s bold answer to the demands of high-power solid-state amplifiers and evolving hi-fi expectations, the 875A Granada stood as a refined powerhouse in the legendary Dynamic Force series. Sharing its DNA with the flagship Barcelona, the Granada delivered near-identical sonic authority in a slightly more compact form—sealed, muscular, and engineered for precision. This wasn’t just another floorstander; it was a statement of technical ambition, blending pro-grade drivers with domestic elegance.

Specifications

Type	2-way, sealed enclosure floorstanding loudspeaker
Low Frequency Driver	411-type 15" woofer (newly developed for Dynamic Force series)
High Frequency Driver	807-8A compression driver on 811B horn
Crossover	N801-8A network
Crossover Frequency	800 Hz
Nominal Impedance	8 Ω
Power Handling	60W continuous
Frequency Response	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Dimensions	700 mm W × 760 mm H × 610 mm D (27.6" × 29.9" × 24.0")
Weight	Approximately 60 kg (132 lbs) per speaker

Driver Configuration

The Granada’s heart lies in its purpose-built drivers—each engineered to push the limits of what a sealed home speaker could achieve in the early 1970s.

Woofer: 411-type 15" driver—fresh from Altec’s labs, featuring a massive 7.8 kg magnet and a 7.5 cm (3") voice coil built for control and endurance
Compression Driver: 807-8A—high-output 1.75" diaphragm unit, known for clarity and low distortion
Horn: 811B—90° × 40° exponential sectoral horn, delivering focused dispersion and high efficiency
Crossover: N801-8A—precision 800 Hz network designed for seamless handoff

Cabinet Design

Massive, tightly braced, and sealed—this cabinet means business. At 700 mm wide, the Granada is leaner than the Barcelona’s 980 mm girth, but stands just as tall and deep, preserving the internal volume needed to hit 20 Hz with authority. Thick plywood walls and extensive internal bracing eliminate resonance, while the walnut veneer finish wraps serious engineering in living-room sophistication.

The front baffle stays clean and uncluttered, with a removable grille covering both drivers. By choosing acoustic suspension over bass reflex, Altec prioritized speed and control—tight transients, deep extension, and bass that stays composed even at high output. It’s a design that trades efficiency for accuracy, a hallmark of the Dynamic Force philosophy.

Dynamic Force Series Technology

The Granada wasn’t just another model—it was a flagship contender built on Altec’s most advanced platform. Every element served a purpose:

Sealed Enclosure Design: Acoustic suspension for deep, clean bass without port noise or time smear
High-Power Woofer: The 411-type 15" driver, with its oversized magnet and voice coil, was engineered to thrive under pressure
Optimized Crossover: The N801-8A network ensures a smooth, coherent transition at 800 Hz
Professional Horn Loading: The 811B horn delivers studio-monitor precision with high sensitivity

2875A Active Version

For the ultimate in integration, Altec offered the 2875A—Granada’s self-contained powerhouse. Built-in electronics eliminated external boxes and crossovers, wrapping everything into one cohesive system.

Built-in 770A electronic crossover and bi-amplifier system
Separate 60W LF and 30W HF amplifiers
Electronic crossover at 800 Hz (12 dB/octave)
0.5V RMS input sensitivity
26 dB gain control range
-80 dB or better hum/noise level

In the early 1970s, this was cutting-edge. The 2875A brought bi-amplified clarity and control straight out of the box—no external preamp or power amps needed.

Performance Characteristics

The 875A didn’t just perform—it commanded attention. Its reputation rests on a foundation of real-world prowess:

Extended Bass Response: True 20 Hz output from a sealed cabinet—rare for its time
High Power Handling: 60W continuous rating meant it could handle the surge of modern solid-state amps
Smooth Transition: The 800 Hz crossover created a seamless blend between the horn and woofer
High Efficiency: Horn loading preserved sensitivity, even in a lossy sealed box
Low Distortion: Overbuilt components operated well within their limits, even at volume

Historical Context

1970 was a turning point. Solid-state amplifiers were pumping out watts like never before, and records were capturing more detail. The Granada arrived ready for both. Positioned just below the Barcelona, it brought flagship-grade performance into a slightly more manageable footprint—ideal for serious listeners who wanted pro-level sound without dominating their living room.

While exact pricing remains elusive, the Granada clearly sat in the upper echelon, competing with the best from JBL, Klipsch, and other elite names. It wasn’t just a speaker—it was a technological bridge between studio monitoring and high-end home audio.

Design Philosophy

The Granada wasn’t designed to follow trends. It was built to define them:

Hybrid Approach: Sealed bass for accuracy, horn-loaded highs for dynamics—best of both worlds
Domestic Integration: Professional performance scaled to fit real homes
Technical Excellence: Every driver and crossover was purpose-built, not repurposed
Future-Proofing: High power tolerance and full-range response ensured it wouldn’t be outpaced by new gear

Amplifier Requirements

Don’t underestimate this beast. With 8Ω impedance and 60W handling, the Granada demands respect—and capable electronics.

Quality amplifiers in the 30–100W range for full dynamics and control
Amplifiers with strong current delivery to manage the massive 15" woofer
Low-distortion electronics to match the speaker’s transparency

While the horn helps, the sealed enclosure saps efficiency compared to Altec’s bass-reflex designs. These speakers want power—clean, stable, and ample.

Legacy and Collectibility

Today, the 875A Granada is a crown jewel among vintage Altec collectors. Rare, technically advanced, and sonically commanding, it’s the kind of speaker that turns heads at audio shows and commands $3,000–$6,000 per pair when original and well-kept.

Rarity: Limited production run as a premium, high-cost model
Technical Innovation: A sealed-cabinet Altec with pro-grade drivers—unusual and ambitious
Performance: 20 Hz bass in 1970? That was serious engineering
Build Quality: Thick cabinets, premium veneer, industrial-grade components
Historical Significance: A key player in Altec’s Dynamic Force legacy

Restoration is common—and often necessary:

Recapping the N801-8A crossover is almost standard
Refoaming the 411-type woofer restores bass integrity
Inspecting or replacing 807-8A diaphragms ensures clarity
Refinishing the walnut veneer brings back its stately presence
For 2875A owners: servicing the 770A amplifier/crossover is critical for full functionality