Altec Lansing Model 9 Speakers (c. 1976–1979)
The Altec Lansing Model 9, also written as "Model Nine," was a 3-way, 3-speaker bass reflex bookshelf system. It sat at the top of Altec's consumer range in the late 1970s. Documentation is scattered, but what survives shows a capable, oak-finished speaker that wants the right amplifier.
The drivers are a 30 cm (12") cone woofer, a 16 cm (4" - 6.5") cone mid-range, and a 12 cm cone tweeter. Impedance is rated at 8 Ω. Playback frequency band is 40 Hz to 20 kHz, output sound pressure level is 96 dB (New JIS), and allowable input is 60W continuous program. Crossover points are 800 Hz and 7 kHz. The enclosure is finished in handmade oak oil stain and measures 445 × 673 × 381 mm. It weighs 25.4 kg. The grille is a deeply carved, three-dimensional knitted fabric. These are big cabinets. One owner noted they were "not as large as the JBL CF150's but pretty darn close, the Altecs are a much better build."
Production years are uncertain. One source suggests around 1976 (audio-database.com), another around 1978 (Vintage Technology Archive), and a Series II variant has been dated to 1979 through marketplace listings. No confirmed original USD price has surfaced. A Japanese listing records ¥180,000 per unit. The "Series II" or "mkII" label shows up in later listings, but no documented specs separate the variants.
Period commentary on the Model 9 is thin. One long owner write-up on Speakerholic (2016) is the best source. The writer tested them with a 4WPC single-ended tube amp and with a Sony STR-V5 solid-state receiver at 85WPC. With solid state at half volume, "these speakers rock the house to the point of shaking the wooden structure," but at that level coherence suffers. Bass muddles, and mids and highs turn shrill. At lower volumes, solid state does a decent job. With the tube amp, the verdict is "pure lusciousness," with full bass, zero chestiness in male vocals, and crisp detail. The writer concludes, "this is what high fidelity is meant to be." The same owner figured the mediocre reviews elsewhere likely came from listeners driving them with solid-state gear. One commenter on the same thread called them "great sounding speakers," and another, the original owner of a pair since 1977, said they "still sound great." The Tannoy Oxford Golds were that writer's reference, and the Altecs "can easily trump the Oxfords."
The Model 9s are the top of the consumer range, before customers stepped up to the horn-loaded Santana, Model 15, 18, or 19. They are not horn-loaded themselves.
Owners document the common problems well. Foam surrounds on the woofers and mid-range drivers deteriorate and need re-foaming. One owner described doing "a large re foam job on both the woofers and the mid range drivers." Another reported both mid-range coils shot. The tweeter cap is a known upgrade point, and one owner swapped in a Solen 2.2 µF cap with ease. A pair of original drivers with reconed woofers still exists. Demand for spare parts continues on forums and auction sites.
Known Specs
- Type: 3-way, 3-speaker, bass reflex, bookshelf
- Woofer: 30 cm cone
- Mid-range: 16 cm cone
- Tweeter: 12 cm cone
- Impedance: 8 Ω
- Frequency response: 40 Hz – 20 kHz
- Output: 96 dB (New JIS)
- Allowable input: 60W continuous program
- Crossover: 800 Hz, 7 kHz
- Dimensions: 445 × 673 × 381 mm
- Weight: 25.4 kg
- Enclosure: handmade oak oil stain finish
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