Altec Voice of the Theatre A5

1947 - 1970s

Altec VOTT A5 - H110 cabinet with 515 woofer, 288 driver, N500C network

The Altec VOTT A5 came out of the golden age of cinema sound. It sat in the Voice of the Theatre lineup between the A4 and the A7. It was smaller than the A7 and a good deal stronger than the A4. It brought professional audio to mid-sized theaters, and later to living rooms where people wanted high efficiency and big sound.

Specifications

Type	2-way, combination horn/bass-reflex cinema loudspeaker
Low Frequency Driver	Altec 515 15" woofer
High Frequency Driver	Altec 288 or 291 compression driver
Horn	811B sectoral horn
Crossover Frequency	800 Hz
Nominal Impedance	8 Ω or 16 Ω
Power Handling	50W continuous
Sensitivity	103 dB/W/m
Frequency Response	42 Hz - 16 kHz
Dimensions	40" H x 24" W x 20" D (approximate)
Weight	Approximately 120 lbs

Design Characteristics

The A5 used the same driver as its bigger brother, the A7. That was the rugged 15-inch Altec 515 woofer, in a slightly more compact enclosure. It suited places where space was tight but performance still counted. It was used in a 500-seat theater, at a drive-in, and in serious listening rooms. The combination horn and bass-reflex design gave deep, articulate lows and crisp, dynamic highs.

Similarities to A7

The A5 shares a lot with the A7. Both use the same 515-series 15-inch woofer, the 288/291 high-frequency driver, and the contoured 811B sectoral horn. The crossover points and cabinet approach line up too. Both are hybrids that mix horn-loaded efficiency with vented-bass extension. The difference is cabinet tuning and volume. The A7's larger enclosure reaches a bit lower. The A5 gives up a little bass depth and gets easier placement in return, which helps where space or room acoustics call for compromise.

Home Use Adaptations

As cinema technology changed, many A5s ended up outside the theater. Audiophiles noticed their high sensitivity, strong power handling, and transparent, dynamic soundstage. The A5-8 was a refined home version with the cinema-specific side baffles removed. It became a favorite among collectors. It offered nearly A7-level performance in a slightly more domestic footprint, for people who wanted the big vintage sound without giving up as much floor space.

Variants

A5-500: Original cinema version with side baffles for wide dispersion
A5-8: Streamlined home variant, sans wings, optimized for stereo listening
A5-500-8: Updated 8-ohm version for broader amplifier compatibility

Historical Significance

The A5 was a scalable, modular speaker system that kept its sound quality across different venues. It was not just a smaller A7. Professional sound could be adapted to a smaller cabinet without being diluted. It went into drive-ins and into home hi-fi rooms. Well-preserved units are still prized in restored theaters and private collections.

Similar items on eBay

No exact Altec VOTT A5 listings are live right now — these searches show current Altec and similar vintage audio gear on eBay:

Search Altec VOTT A5 on eBay Browse Altec audio gear on eBay

As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.

Documentation

Altec VOTT Brochure 1983 (PDF) - Contains A5 specifications