Altec Voice of the Theatre A4
1947 - 1970s
The VOTT A4 was the compact member of the Voice of the Theatre family. Altec built it for smaller cinemas and venues where the big A7 would not fit. It used a 12" woofer instead of the A7's 15", and gave the same classic Altec cinema sound in a more manageable package.
Specifications
| Type | 2-way, combination horn/bass-reflex cinema loudspeaker |
|---|---|
| Low Frequency Driver | Altec 414 12" woofer |
| High Frequency Driver | Altec 288 or 291 compression driver |
| Horn | 811B or 511B sectoral horn |
| Crossover Frequency | 800 Hz |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 Ω or 16 Ω |
| Power Handling | 40W continuous |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/W/m |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 16 kHz |
| Dimensions | 36" H x 20" W x 18" D (approximate) |
| Weight | Approximately 95 lbs |
Design Overview
The A4 followed the same basic design as the larger A7: a combination horn and bass-reflex system made for cinema work. The 12" 414 woofer gave plenty of bass for smaller rooms, and it kept the Altec traits of high efficiency and fast transient response.
Intended Applications
- Small cinema theaters (under 300 seats)
- Preview screening rooms
- Dubbing stages
- Large home theaters
- Professional monitoring (in some installations)
Comparison to A7
| Feature | A4 | A7 |
|---|---|---|
| Woofer | 12" 414 | 15" 515 |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB | 104 dB |
| Bass Extension | 45 Hz | 40 Hz |
| Size | Compact | Large |
Collectibility
A4 speakers are less common than A7s on the vintage market. Collectors prize them for:
- More manageable size for home use
- Classic Altec cinema sound
- Rarity compared to the ubiquitous A7
- Historical significance
Restoration
As with all VOTT systems, restoration typically involves:
- Refoaming or replacing woofer surrounds
- Rebuilding crossover networks with modern capacitors
- Cleaning or replating compression driver diaphragms
- Restoring cabinets and hardware
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Documentation
- Altec VOTT Brochure 1983 (PDF) - Contains A4 specifications
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