Altec 875A Granada

1970 - 1970s

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

The 875A Granada came out in 1970 as part of Altec's Dynamic Force series, aimed at high-power solid-state amplifiers and changing hi-fi expectations. It shares its design with the flagship Barcelona and delivers nearly the same sound in a slightly more compact sealed cabinet. It pairs pro-grade drivers with a domestic look.

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 is built around purpose-built drivers, each engineered to push what a sealed home speaker could do 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

The cabinet is massive, tightly braced and sealed. At 700 mm wide, the Granada is narrower than the Barcelona's 980 mm, but it stands just as tall and deep. That keeps the internal volume needed to reach 20 Hz. Thick plywood walls and extensive internal bracing control resonance, and the walnut veneer finish dresses it for the living room.

The front baffle is clean and uncluttered, with a removable grille covering both drivers. Altec chose acoustic suspension over bass reflex for speed and control: tight transients, deep extension, and bass that stays composed at high output. The trade is efficiency for accuracy, which was the Dynamic Force approach.

Dynamic Force Series Technology

The Granada 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

Altec also offered the 2875A, a self-contained version of the Granada. Built-in electronics removed the external boxes and crossovers and put everything into one 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 was bi-amplified and needed no external preamp or power amps.

Performance Characteristics

The 875A got attention for its performance. Its reputation rests on the following:

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 putting out more watts than ever, and records were capturing more detail. The Granada arrived ready for both. It sat just below the Barcelona and brought flagship-grade performance in a slightly more manageable footprint, for serious listeners who wanted pro-level sound without a speaker dominating the living room.

Exact pricing is unknown, but the Granada clearly sat in the upper tier, competing with the best from JBL, Klipsch, and other elite names. It was a 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 it. With 8Ω impedance and 60W handling, the Granada needs 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

The horn helps, but the sealed enclosure costs efficiency compared to Altec's bass-reflex designs. These speakers want clean, stable, ample power.

Legacy and Collectibility

Today, the 875A Granada is sought after by vintage Altec collectors. It is rare and technically advanced, and it 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