Altec Voice of The Theatre A1 (1945)
A flagship professional cinema loudspeaker system introduced in 1945, featuring a multicell horn and six 15-inch bass drivers.
Overview
The Altec Voice of The Theatre A1 is a professional loudspeaker system designed for cinema and theatre installations. Introduced by Altec Lansing by 1945, it was developed to replace older Western Electric systems and quickly became the de facto industry standard for large venues. The A1 served as the flagship model in the Voice of the Theatre series, suitable for auditoriums with up to 2,800 seats. It features a two-way configuration with a multicellular horn for high frequencies and a large folded-horn cabinet housing six 15-inch bass drivers. The system was engineered for high efficiency, delivering strong sound pressure levels from the limited amplifier power available at the time.
Specifications
| Configuration | 2 x 288C 2.8" compression drivers feeding a single 1505B exponential multi-cell horn, and six 515B 15" bass drivers |
| High-frequency driver | 288C compression drivers with a 2.8-inch voice coil |
| High-frequency driver impedance | 24 ohms |
| High-frequency driver frequency response | 500 Hz – 16,000 Hz |
| High-frequency driver sensitivity | 115 dB |
| Bass driver | Six 515B 15" bass drivers |
| Bass driver frequency response | 20 Hz – 1 kHz |
| Bass driver impedance | 16 Ω |
| Bass driver rated input | 35W |
| Bass driver allowable input | 50W |
| Bass driver sensitivity | 105 dB/W/m |
| Crossover frequency | Factory set at 500 Hz or 800 Hz |
| Retail price | $1,570 |
Design
The A1 is a holistic loudspeaker system combining multiple 15-inch woofers in a large folded-horn cabinet with high-frequency compression drivers mounted on a 1505B exponential multi-cell horn. The design emphasizes efficiency and high output, using a two-way configuration where the horn and bass section work in tandem to cover the full audio range.
Context
The Voice of the Theatre series was introduced in the late 1930s and refined through the 1940s, with the A1, A2, A4, and A5 models launched for the theatre market by 1945. The A1 stood as the flagship, developed to meet the demand for powerful, reliable sound reinforcement in cinemas. Hilliard led the conceptualization, while Lansing oversaw the design of the drive units. The system's efficiency made it ideal for the low-power amplification systems of the era.
Market
The Altec Voice of The Theatre A1 developed a cult-like following among audiophiles and remains revered in high-fidelity circles. Its reputation as a benchmark cinema speaker has endured, contributing to lasting collectibility.
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