Altec Lansing Magnificent-II (1970)

At 170 pounds each and nearly a meter tall, these aren’t speakers—they’re monuments to American horn engineering.

Overview

The Altec Lansing Magnificent-II isn’t a subtle piece of gear. From the moment you lay eyes on its towering cabinet and massive 38 cm woofer, it announces itself as something from a different era—one where brute acoustic output and bold industrial design were virtues, not compromises. Released in 1970, the Magnificent-II was positioned as a premium floor-standing speaker system, explicitly crafted for domestic use while borrowing heavily from Altec’s professional A7 lineage. Collectors note it shares the same configuration as the A7-500-8, and multiple sources describe it as a “domestic version of the A7” or “a proper home version A7,” effectively translating the sonic authority of Altec’s legendary theater speakers into a living room context—albeit a very large one.

Despite its name, the Magnificent-II was not a standalone innovation but an evolution of an earlier Magnificent model, though details on that predecessor remain scarce. What’s clear is that Altec aimed to refine the formula: improving bass reflex tuning, retaining the A7’s core enclosure structure, and emphasizing both sonic precision and aesthetic presence. These weren’t hidden in corners—they were displayed “just like beautiful furnishings,” according to one period account, with walnut-finished cabinets that nodded to high-end furniture as much as audio equipment. The system’s engineering is unapologetically industrial: a 2-way, bass reflex design with a dedicated horn for mid and high frequencies, all housed in a substantial footprint measuring 810 mm wide, 1,110 mm high, and 676 mm deep—roughly 32 by 44 by 27 inches for those still using imperial measurements.

Owners report the Magnificent-II delivers a commanding 103 dB/W sensitivity, a figure that speaks to its horn-loaded efficiency and ability to play loud with modest amplifier power. With a frequency response spanning 30 Hz to 20 kHz, it promises full-range performance, though the real story lies in how it achieves that range. The system relies on proven Altec drivers: the 416-8B for lows and the 802-8G compression driver mated to the 511B sectoral horn for mids and highs. This isn’t soft, diffused sound—it’s direct, dynamic, and immediate, the kind of presentation that fills a room without begging for watts. And while the 65W maximum input may seem modest by modern standards, the high sensitivity means 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 is driven by the 416-8B, a 38 cm (15-inch) cone woofer mounted in a front-loaded short horn configuration combined with bass reflex action. This hybrid approach aims to deliver both the punch of horn loading and the extension of ported design. According to available documentation, the bass reflex port was tuned more finely than in the original Magnificent model, suggesting Altec engineers sought tighter, more articulate low-frequency response. The result is a system capable of reaching down to 30 Hz—impressive for a domestic speaker of its era—while maintaining 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 truly reflects its Altec DNA. The 802-8G compression driver features Altec’s proprietary “Tangerine Phase Plug,” a design using radial slits instead of conventional annular ones. Sources suggest this eliminates specific resonance points by distributing 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. This driver is directly coupled to the 511B, an aluminum die-cast welded sectoral horn, which handles frequencies from the 1.2 kHz crossover point upward. 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, ensuring a clean handoff between drivers. More notably, it includes two independent level controls for mid and high frequencies, allowing owners to tailor the tonal balance to room acoustics or personal preference—a rare feature in factory-built systems of the time. This flexibility hints at Altec’s professional roots, where adaptability across venues was essential. The internal wiring uses a special low-inductance audio cord, presumably to preserve signal integrity, especially critical 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. By minimizing time alignment issues, the design aims to produce a more cohesive soundstage—one that remains stable even at high output levels. This attention to phase coherence separates the Magnificent-II from simpler horn hybrids that prioritize volume over accuracy.

Modular Cabinet Design with Dual Offerings

Two cabinet types were offered: an Altec-original design and a designated domestic version. The standard cabinet, known as the 856B box, was hand-finished in walnut, contributing to the speaker’s furniture-like presentation. While the basic enclosure structure mirrors that of the A7, the domestic adaptation suggests refinement for home environments—both acoustically and visually. However, collectors note that original finishes often degrade over time, and cabinet restoration is a common part of ownership, with some opting to 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. This allows separate amplification for the woofer and horn section, potentially unlocking greater dynamic control and reducing intermodulation distortion. Given the system’s 8 Ω nominal impedance and high sensitivity, it can work with a wide range of amplifiers—but pairing it with high-current tube or solid-state designs often brings out its full authority.

Historical Context

The Magnificent-II emerged 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. This wasn’t a downsized version of the A7—it was a reimagined one, adapted for home listening without sacrificing the sonic DNA that made Altec famous in cinemas and recording studios. The dual cabinet options—Altec-original and domestic—suggest a strategic effort to appeal to both purists and aesthetically minded buyers. While the original “Magnificent” model remains poorly documented, the Magnificent-II represented a clear step forward in refinement, 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) carried a price tag of ¥251,800 originally, rising to ¥258,000 after a revision, with domestic versions priced 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 challenges include cabinet restoration—original walnut finishes often require stripping and refinishing—and sourcing replacement grilles, as 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, aiding in restoration efforts.