Altec Voice of the Theatre A2
At over 400 kg, it fills a room with sound and then some.
Overview
The Altec Voice of the Theatre A2 is less a speaker than a monument to high-efficiency sound reproduction. It stands over two meters tall and weighs well over 400 kilograms. It was built for one purpose: crushing volume and clarity in the largest cinematic spaces. It carries on the Voice of the Theatre line, which emerged in the late 1930s and by the 1940s had become the dominant sound system in movie theaters. The A2 was the top of that line. Manufacturer documentation describes it as the largest Altec "Voice of the Theatre" system, engineered without compromise for venues that needed extreme output and deep, articulate bass.
It was designed for large enclosed spaces and often deployed in arrays to support stereo or surround configurations. The system is based on the Enclosure 410, a massive cabinet that combines a front-loaded short horn with a bass reflex design. That gives it both high sensitivity and extended low-frequency response.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Altec |
| Product type | Speaker system/enclosure |
| Enclosure type | Combines a front load short horn and a bass reflex system. |
| Associated enclosure model | 410 |
| Number of mounted speakers | 4 |
| External dimensions (Enclosure 410, without wings) | Width 1,651 x Height 2,134 x Depth 1,003 mm |
| External dimensions (Enclosure 410, with wing) | Width 2,616 mm |
| Weight (Enclosure 410) | 403.7 kg |
| High-frequency driver power handling capacity | 50 walt power handling capacity |
| Bass drivers | 15-inch woofers |
Key Features
15-Inch Woofers in a Dual Cabinet Configuration
The A2 differs from the smaller VOTT models by adding a cabinet and two extra bass drivers. Where other models might use a single 15-inch woofer or a pair, the A2 uses multiple low-frequency units - reportedly four drivers total - arranged to maximize bass output. They sit inside the Enclosure 410's hybrid design, which lets the system reproduce low frequencies with authority for the demands of film soundtracks. The 15-inch woofers are mounted in a bass-horn and reflex-loaded arrangement. That gives both punch and extension, which matters in large venues where sound has to travel long distances without losing impact.
Modular High-Frequency Horn System
The Voice of the Theatre line is adaptable, and the A2 keeps that up. Various high-frequency horns can be selected and mounted to suit the acoustic needs of a venue. Theaters could tune dispersion and efficiency to the size and shape of the room. The horn is front-loaded, which contributes to directional control and reduced distortion at high volumes.
Front Load Short Horn with Bass Reflex Integration
The Enclosure 410 merges two acoustic principles: a front-loaded short horn for the midrange and high frequencies, and a bass reflex system for the low end. This hybrid approach was uncommon in its time and reflects Altec's engineering pragmatism. The short horn gives high sensitivity and controlled dispersion. The reflex port improves bass efficiency without needing an impractically large cabinet. The documentation doesn't describe the cabinet in material terms, but it is built to withstand the physical and acoustic stresses of continuous high-level operation.
Historical Context
The Voice of the Theatre series was a big shift in sound reinforcement when it was introduced in the late 1930s. According to audio heritage documentation, it was nearly as significant an improvement over the Shearer Horn as the Shearer Horn had been over earlier Western Electric systems. By the 1940s it was the de facto standard in cinema audio, a position it held for decades. The A2 came as the culmination of that lineage - larger and more powerful than the A1, A4, or A6, and designed for the most demanding installations. Because it could be arrayed in multichannel setups, it stayed relevant as film sound moved toward stereo and surround formats.
Collectibility & Value
The A2 is exceptionally rare on the secondary market, and complete, functional pairs are rarer still. One recent listing offered a pair with original drivers installed for €3,500. Size and weight make transportation and installation major considerations. No common failures or maintenance issues are documented, but given the age of surviving units, driver reconing, horn diaphragm replacement, and cabinet integrity are likely concerns. Spare parts are not documented as available, so original condition carries a premium.
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