Altec Stonehenge I (819A)

1970s

Altec Stonehenge I (819A) - circa 1975 walnut cabinet design

The Altec Stonehenge I (model 819A) was the entry-level model in Altec's Stonehenge series, introduced in the 1970s as "a dynamic new concept" that combined Altec's traditional engineering with contemporary design. It was named after the ancient monument and proportioned to its legendary stones. It was more compact and easier to live with at home than Altec's larger horn-loaded systems, and Altec kept its commitment to quality and performance.

Specifications

Type	2-way, bass-reflex floorstanding loudspeaker
Low Frequency Driver	12" high-compliance bass driver
High Frequency Driver	5" frame cone driver (3.3 square inch effective piston area)
Crossover	819A network with adjustable high-frequency attenuation
Nominal Impedance	8 Ω
Power Handling	15W - 150W operational range
Sensitivity	90 dB SPL
Frequency Response	Estimated 40 Hz - 20 kHz
Dimensions	Approximately 406 mm W × 953 mm H × 362 mm D (16" × 37.5" × 14.25")
Weight	Approximately 27-30 kg (60-66 lbs) per speaker

Driver Configuration

The Stonehenge I used a conventional but well-executed 2-way design:

Woofer: 12" high-compliance bass driver with 82 square inch effective piston area, designed for extended bass response in a compact enclosure
Tweeter: 5" frame cone driver with 3.3 square inch effective piston area, providing smooth high-frequency reproduction
Crossover: 819A network with adjustable high-frequency attenuation for room matching

Unlike Altec's traditional horn-loaded designs, the Stonehenge I used conventional cone drivers throughout. That was a more mainstream approach to speaker design, but it still had Altec's engineering behind it.

Cabinet Design

The cabinet was the most distinctive thing about the Stonehenge I:

Monumental Proportions: Designed with dimensions proportioned to the actual Stonehenge monoliths in Wiltshire, England
Premium Materials: Luxurious hand-rubbed Afromosian teak or walnut veneers
Clean Lines: Simple, elegant design that worked well in contemporary interiors
Bass-Reflex Design: Tuned port enclosure for extended low-frequency response
Domestic Scale: More compact than Altec's horn-loaded systems, suitable for average living rooms

The cabinet was tall and slender, 953mm high and only 406mm wide. That gave it presence and kept its footprint small.

The Stonehenge Series Concept

The Stonehenge series was a new direction for Altec in the 1970s:

Contemporary Design: Moving beyond traditional horn-loaded aesthetics
Domestic Integration: Speakers designed specifically for home environments
Progressive Naming: Mystical, evocative model names (Stonehenge I, II, III)
Technical Refinement: Applying Altec's engineering to conventional driver designs
Aesthetic Statement: Speakers as both audio components and design elements

The series was billed as "a classic of contemporary technology" inspired by "an ancient mystery," blending technical innovation with romantic appeal.

Performance Characteristics

The Stonehenge I had a different sonic signature than Altec's horn-loaded designs:

Extended Bass: 12" high-compliance woofer in tuned enclosure for solid low-frequency response
Smooth Highs: 5" cone tweeter for detailed but non-fatiguing treble
Moderate Efficiency: 90 dB sensitivity - lower than horn designs but still reasonably efficient
Wide Power Handling: 15W-150W range compatible with most amplifiers
Room-Friendly: Conventional dispersion patterns easier to place than horn systems

Historical Context

The Stonehenge I arrived in the mid-1970s, a period of transition in the audio market. Consumers were increasingly interested in speakers that offered both good performance and attractive styling that suited contemporary interior design.

The Stonehenge series was Altec's attempt to reach a broader market beyond the traditional audiophiles who favored horn-loaded systems. The cabinets were distinctive and the drivers were conventional. Consumers who wanted the Altec name and quality but preferred more mainstream speaker technology could buy one.

As the entry-level model in the Stonehenge series, the Stonehenge I would have been priced competitively with other quality bookshelf/floorstanding speakers of the era. Exact pricing information is scarce.

Design Philosophy

The Stonehenge I embodied several design principles:

Accessible Performance: Bringing Altec quality to a more mainstream price point
Aesthetic Integration: Design that complemented contemporary interiors
Technical Competence: Applying Altec's engineering to conventional designs
User-Friendly: Adjustable controls and wide amplifier compatibility
Brand Extension: Expanding Altec's market beyond traditional horn enthusiasts

Amplifier Compatibility

With its 90 dB sensitivity and 8Ω impedance, the Stonehenge I worked well with:

Medium-powered amplifiers (20-100W) for optimal performance
Vintage receivers from the 1970s
Modern integrated amplifiers
Tube amplifiers with sufficient power (15W+)

The adjustable high-frequency attenuation let the owner fine-tune the sound to match the amplifier and the room.

Legacy and Collectibility

The Altec Stonehenge I is relatively rare and collectible today. Buyers like its distinctive design and see it as an alternative to Altec's more common horn-loaded models. Complete, original examples can command $600-$1,200 per pair depending on condition.

Factors contributing to the Stonehenge I's collectibility:

Design Distinctiveness: Unique Stonehenge-inspired aesthetics
Brand Appeal: Altec name and quality construction
Rarity: Less common than Valencia or Model 19
Historical Interest: Represents Altec's foray into conventional speaker design
Condition: Well-preserved teak or walnut cabinets are particularly desirable

Restoration considerations include: