Altec Lansing
A legendary American audio brand formed in 1941, known for professional and consumer loudspeakers that shaped theater and hi-fi sound.
Overview
Altec Lansing Corporation was formed on May 1st, 1941, when Altec Corporation acquired Lansing Manufacturing Company from James B. Lansing. The company traces its origins to 1927 with the founding of All-Technical Services Company in Oklahoma City by E. S. Pridham and George Carrington. Altec Lansing became a dominant force in audio, manufacturing loudspeakers and amplifiers for motion picture theaters and later expanding into home high-fidelity systems. The brand is best known for iconic products like the 604 Duplex studio monitor, the Voice of the Theatre A-7 cinema speaker, and consumer models such as the Valencia and Model 19.
Specifications
| Product type | Loudspeaker (Brand also produces amplifiers and other audio equipment) |
| Model 700A Melodist Loudspeaker System | Two-way bass-reflex speaker system. 8 ohms, 20W. Available in blond or mahogany finish. |
| Power Amplifier A-340A | Output of 35W at 0.5 % distortion. |
| Amplifier A-324A | PA amplifier with 4 inputs: 2x Mic + 2x Phono. |
Context
Altec Lansing developed the first practical sound systems for motion picture theaters during the rise of "talkies," with the Voice of the Theatre series becoming the industry standard. The 604 Duplex, introduced in 1943, became a legendary studio monitor that defined professional audio playback for decades. In the 1950s and 1960s, the company brought its professional expertise to consumers with models like the Valencia, Flamenco, and Model 19. The Duplex driver design combined high- and low-frequency units in a coaxial arrangement, a hallmark of Altec's engineering.
Market
In 2006, forum reports indicated Altec Valencia speakers were valued between $800 and $1,400 depending on condition, with some pairs selling on eBay for over $1,800. Active listings at the time showed starting bids of $999 and Buy It Now prices up to $1,650. Original cost was estimated at roughly $800 per pair in the 1960s/70s, equivalent to about $3,000 today. Damage to fretwork grills was noted as a significant repair issue, potentially reducing value by around $200. Replacing capacitors in the crossovers was a common upgrade to improve sound quality.
eBay Listings
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