Altec 9850 Studio Monitor

1964 - 1975

The Altec 9850 was a large-format studio monitor. It put the 605A Duplex in a professional studio enclosure. It handled more power and put out more level than the 9844, so it went into larger control rooms and film mixing stages during the 1960s and 1970s.

Specifications

Type	2-way large-format studio monitor
Driver	Altec 605A Duplex
Enclosure	Sealed acoustic suspension, professional grade
Frequency Response	35 Hz - 18 kHz (±3 dB)
Nominal Impedance	8 Ω or 16 Ω
Power Handling	50W continuous, 100W peak
Sensitivity	96 dB/W/m
Crossover	1,500 Hz (integrated in Duplex design)
Dimensions	Approximately 30" H x 20" W x 15" D
Weight	Approximately 85 lbs per speaker

Design Philosophy

The 9850 was built for professional jobs that needed more output than the 9844 could give. The 9844 used the classic 604 Duplex. The 9850 used the 605A - a different Altec coaxial design with different performance characteristics.

The 605A-based design provided:

Higher Efficiency: Greater output for the same input power
Robust Construction: Built for continuous professional use
Sealed Enclosure: Tight, controlled bass response
Professional Connectivity: Heavy-duty binding posts

Applications

The 9850 found use in demanding professional environments:

Large recording studio control rooms
Film dubbing and mixing stages
Broadcast control rooms
Mastering facilities
High-SPL monitoring applications

The 605A Duplex

The 604 series used Altec's full professional magnet structure. The 605A used a modified design. That made it cheaper, and it also gave it a slightly different sound. The 9850's enclosure was engineered to get the best out of the 605A in studio work.

Historical Context

The 9850 was part of Altec's studio monitor lineup for the recording industry during the golden age of analog recording. Engineers used these monitors on many classic recordings through the 1960s and 1970s.

Today the 9850 turns up less often than 604-based monitors. The 605A was produced in smaller quantities, and it was eventually dropped in favor of going back to the full 604 design.

Restoration

Vintage 9850 monitors can be restored to full working condition:

605A Duplex driver can be reconed and refurbished
Enclosures can be refinished
Crossover components should be replaced with modern equivalents
Binding posts and connectors can be upgraded

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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 Datasheets - Technical specifications