Altec Model Nineteen (1970s)

Name: Altec Model Nineteen
Brand: Altec

A consumer loudspeaker using professional-grade drivers in a ported cabinet, known for high sensitivity and studio-monitor accuracy.

Overview

The Altec Model Nineteen (also known as Model 19) is a consumer loudspeaker from Altec Lansing, produced during the 1970s. Designed as part of Altec’s home hi-fi lineup, it brought professional-quality drivers—like those used in the 9846 series—into a living-room-friendly cabinet. It's a two-way system featuring a 15" woofer and a 2" compression driver mounted on a multicell horn, delivering extended frequency response and high sound pressure efficiency.

Specifications

Woofer	15"
Tweeter	2" compression driver with multicell horn
Frequency response	30 Hz - 22 kHz
Power handling	75 W
Impedance	8 ohms
Sensitivity	99 dB
Dimensions (W x H x D)	28" x 32" x 16"
Weight	125 lbs
Crossover frequency	1200 Hz

Design

The Model Nineteen uses a ported enclosure and a crossover set at 1200 Hz to integrate the 15" woofer (model 416-8B) with the 2" compression driver (802-G or 902) mounted on an 811B multicell horn. The crossover plays a critical role in EQing the system and includes a treble attenuation control. Crossovers can be recapped to restore performance.

Context

Introduced after the professional 9846 series, the Model 19 adapted Altec’s studio-monitor technology for home use, offering high sensitivity and accurate sound reproduction in a consumer cabinet. It was part of Altec’s effort to bring professional audio quality into the home hi-fi market.

Market

Original Model Nineteen units command higher resale value than replicas or clones. The speakers are highly prized by collectors, particularly for their vintage Altec drivers. They pair well with tube amplifiers such as Stromberg Carlson or Dynaco 35, though amplification is critical—poor matches, especially with solid-state gear, can result in harshness in the upper mids and lower highs. Despite this, they are reported to perform superbly with quality low-power tube or high-fidelity solid-state amplifiers, with 8–20 watts often being sufficient due to their 99 dB sensitivity.