Altec Lansing Magnificent-II (1970)

At 170 pounds each and nearly a meter tall, these are less speakers than monuments to American horn engineering.

Overview

The Altec Lansing Magnificent-II is not subtle. It has a towering cabinet and a massive 38 cm woofer, and it comes from an era when brute acoustic output and bold industrial design were virtues, not compromises. It was released in 1970 as a premium floor-standing speaker system, made for domestic use but borrowing heavily from Altec's professional A7 lineage. Collectors note it shares the same configuration as the A7-500-8. Multiple sources call it a "domestic version of the A7" or "a proper home version A7," which puts the sound of Altec's theater speakers in a living room - a very large one.

Despite the name, the Magnificent-II was not a standalone design. It followed an earlier Magnificent model, though details on that predecessor are scarce. Altec aimed to refine the formula: improved bass reflex tuning, the A7's core enclosure structure kept, and attention to both sound and looks. These were not meant to hide in corners. One period account says they were displayed "just like beautiful furnishings," and the walnut-finished cabinets fit that. The engineering is plainly industrial: a 2-way, bass reflex design with a dedicated horn for mid and high frequencies, in a cabinet measuring 810 mm wide, 1,110 mm high, and 676 mm deep - roughly 32 by 44 by 27 inches.

Owners report the Magnificent-II delivers 103 dB/W sensitivity, which comes from the horn loading and means it plays loud on modest amplifier power. Frequency response runs from 30 Hz to 20 kHz. The system uses proven Altec drivers: the 416-8B for lows and the 802-8G compression driver mated to the 511B sectoral horn for mids and highs. The sound is direct, dynamic and immediate. The 65W maximum input may seem modest by modern standards, but with this sensitivity it rarely needs more.

Specifications

Manufacturer	ALTEC LANSING
Model	ALTEC LANSING MAGNIFICENT-II
Type	speaker system
Production year	1970
Model Rating Method	2-way, 2-speaker, bass reflex system, floor type
Units used	For Low Band : 38 cm cone type (416-8B) For High Range : Horn Type (802-8G + 511B)
Network	N1201-8A
Impedance	8 Ω
Playback frequency band	30 Hz to 20 kHz
Frequency characteristic	30 Hz to 20 kHz
Output sound pressure level	103dB/W
Maximum allowable input	65W
Crossover frequency	1.2kHz
Cross slope	18dB/oct
External dimensions	Width 810x Height 1,110x Depth 676 mm
Weight	approximately 170 lbs per unit

Key Features

38 cm Cone Woofer (416-8B) with Refined Bass Reflex Tuning

The low end comes from the 416-8B, a 38 cm (15-inch) cone woofer mounted in a front-loaded short horn configuration combined with bass reflex action. The idea is to get the punch of horn loading and the extension of a ported design. According to available documentation, the bass reflex port was tuned more finely than in the original Magnificent model, which suggests Altec wanted tighter, more articulate lows. The system reaches down to 30 Hz, which is impressive for a domestic speaker of its era, and keeps the dynamic headroom expected from professional-grade components.

Horn-Loaded Mid/High with Tangerine Phase Plug (802-8G + 511B)

The high-frequency section is where the Magnificent-II shows its Altec roots. The 802-8G compression driver uses Altec's proprietary "Tangerine Phase Plug," which has radial slits instead of conventional annular ones. Sources suggest this removes specific resonance points by spreading energy more evenly through a tapered transmission path, avoiding the acoustic open circuit that can form near annular slits. The result is reportedly smoother high-frequency response up to 20 kHz or beyond. The driver couples directly to the 511B, an aluminum die-cast welded sectoral horn, which handles everything above the 1.2 kHz crossover point. The horn's rigid construction minimizes coloration, preserving transient detail and spatial cues.

N1201-8A Crossover with Independent Level Controls

The N1201-8A network handles the 1.2 kHz crossover with an 18 dB/octave slope. It also has two independent level controls for mid and high frequencies, so owners can adjust the tonal balance to the room or to taste. That was a rare feature in factory-built systems of the time, and it hints at Altec's professional roots, where adapting to different venues mattered. The internal wiring uses a special low-inductance audio cord, presumably to preserve signal integrity in a high-sensitivity horn system.

Co-Planar Driver Layout and Phasing

Altec applied its traditional phasing process to the Magnificent-II, aligning the diaphragms of the woofer and the horn assembly on the same plane. This co-planar arrangement addresses phase differences that can smear imaging and reduce coherence, particularly in multi-driver horn systems. Minimizing time alignment problems is meant to give a more cohesive soundstage that stays stable even at high output levels.

Modular Cabinet Design with Dual Offerings

Two cabinet types were offered: an Altec-original design and a designated domestic version. The standard cabinet, the 856B box, was hand-finished in walnut. The basic enclosure structure mirrors that of the A7, and the domestic version suggests refinement for home use, both acoustically and visually. Collectors note that original finishes often degrade over time, and cabinet restoration is a common part of ownership. Some owners strip and refinish the wood to recapture its original luster.

Dedicated Terminal for Multi-Amplifier Use

The Magnificent-II includes a dedicated terminal for bi-amping or multi-amplifier setups, a forward-thinking feature in 1970. It allows separate amplification for the woofer and horn section, potentially giving greater dynamic control and reducing intermodulation distortion. With an 8 Ω nominal impedance and high sensitivity, it works with a wide range of amplifiers, though high-current tube or solid-state designs often bring out its full authority.

Historical Context

The Magnificent-II appeared in 1970 as part of Altec's effort to bridge professional and consumer markets. It shared its core configuration with the A7-500-8, a system released simultaneously with the standard A7 8 Ω model but updated with the A7-500W driver complement. It was not a downsized A7. It was a reworked one, adapted for home listening while keeping the sound that made Altec famous in cinemas and recording studios. The dual cabinet options, Altec-original and domestic, suggest an effort to appeal to both purists and buyers who cared about appearance. The original "Magnificent" model remains poorly documented, but the Magnificent-II was a clear step forward, particularly in bass tuning and crossover flexibility.

Collectibility & Value

Priced at ¥598,000 at launch (with a domestic price of ¥302,300), the Magnificent-II was a luxury item in 1970. The cabinet alone (856B box) cost ¥251,800 originally, rising to ¥258,000 after a revision, with domestic versions at ¥83,500 and ¥88,500 respectively. In the modern collector market, a pair was listed for $2,400 in April 2021, though actual transaction prices may vary widely based on condition and completeness. Common ownership problems include cabinet restoration, since original walnut finishes often need stripping and refinishing, and sourcing replacement grilles. One collector noted difficulty finding a new set of lattice grills. Spare parts and technical documentation are reportedly available through specialists like Great Plains Audio in Oklahoma City, which holds original Altec specs.