Optimus T-100 (late 1970s)

Documentation on the Optimus T-100 is thin, but the period audio press covered it enough to sketch a clear picture. It was a floor-standing tower speaker sold by Radio Shack under the Realistic/Optimus brand. It was a two-way acoustic-suspension design with two active 8″ woofers and a 3″ cone tweeter. The walnut-veneer cabinet was finished on all sides, so you could put it out in the room without stands and still get the drivers near ear height. High Fidelity (March 1977, p.20) made that point directly, noting the tower design was efficient enough to be driven by almost any hi-fi amplifier while still handling 75-watt program peaks.

Specs as reported in the late-1970s press:

Type: two-way acoustic-suspension tower; two 8″ woofers + 3″ cone tweeter
Frequency response: 55–18,000 Hz (±3 dB per one listing, ±4.5 dB per another)
Crossover: 3,500 Hz; 3-way L-pad adjusts treble
Sensitivity: 90 dB; impedance: 8 ohms
Power handling: 75 W peak program
Dimensions: roughly 31″–35″ H × 12″–15″ W × 12″ D
Finish: walnut veneer

Prices in the period press conflict. HiFI-Stereo (1977, p.152) listed the T-100 at $384.75, while Audio (October 1978, p.165) showed $159.95 in a Radio Shack speaker roundup. The difference may reflect pair-versus-single pricing or a price cut between years, but the record doesn't say. The Audio listing is also the source for the 90 dB sensitivity, 8-ohm impedance, and 3.5 kHz crossover figures above.