Boston Acoustics A-40 (c. 1982–1985)
Most of what's known about the Boston Acoustics A-40 comes from period reviews, and those reviews were consistently impressed. It was a small, sealed two-way bookshelf speaker that sold for $75 each. Reviewers called it a bargain that punched far above its size.
High Fidelity (June 1982, p.31) described the A-40's stated goal as getting maximum performance out of a small, inexpensive two-way system, and noted a 6½-inch woofer paired with a ¾-inch dome tweeter fitted with what appeared to be an acoustic lens. An equipment profile in Audio (July 1983, p.80) filled in the rest: a sealed enclosure, a 6½-inch long-throw woofer, a ¾-inch ferrofluid-cooled dome tweeter, and a rated response of 68 Hz to 20 kHz ±3 dB. Audio (October 1983, p.171) later called it a very small speaker capable of high performance at very low cost, singling out its stereo imaging as excellent. Boston Acoustics' own advertising that summer reprinted those same expert quotes — the company knew it had a quotable product on its hands.
Known specifications (from Audio, July 1983):
- Type: sealed two-way bookshelf loudspeaker
- Drivers: 6½" (170mm) long-throw woofer; ¾" (19mm) ferrofluid dome tweeter
- Frequency response: 68 Hz – 20 kHz, ±3 dB
- Nominal impedance: 8 ohms
- Crossover frequency: 3.5 kHz
- Recommended amplifier power: 5–40 watts
- Dimensions: 13½" × 8¼" × 7¾" (343 × 210 × 197mm)
- Weight: 9 lb (4.1 kg)
- Price: $75.00 each
eBay Listings
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.