Western Electric 31A Horn

A cast-aluminum relic from the golden age of horn-loaded sound, born in the 1930s and lingering into the postwar years with a presence that’s equal parts industrial artifact and sonic vessel.

Overview

You don't just hang a Western Electric 31A Horn on the wall - you install it. It's cast aluminum, painted olive drab, and heavy. This is a short horn, built for the WE594A driver, and the two were meant to go together. The horn's attachment mechanism is flexible enough to accept various drivers, though, according to owners. It's not a standalone speaker and not a complete system. It's one link in a chain.

One listing suggests this example was made around 1949, from a model originally designed in the 1930s. So it carries the WE name but comes from the period when the company's business was being carried forward, sometimes by others. ALTEC, which took over parts of Western Electric's business, also produced the 31A horn after the transfer. There are numerous replicas made by other companies, and some are convincing enough to fool the untrained eye. Collectors check the cast-in model number. Real WE units have it in the metal, not as a decal like the later Altec versions.

Key Features

Driver Compatibility & Design

The 31A horn was engineered for the WE594A driver, and it attaches directly with no adapters. The driver couples to the horn throat, which maximizes efficiency and minimizes acoustic leaks. The mounting mechanism isn't exclusive, though. It accepts other drivers as well, which hints at field use where parts might have been swapped or repurposed. That would have come in handy in mid-century installations, from theaters to public address systems.

Construction & Included Hardware

Cast aluminum gives the 31A its heft. It isn't stamped or folded metal, but a solid pour. The original finish is olive drab paint. One listing notes visible staining, fading, and wear on the paint, but confirms the horn itself has no cracks or structural damage. It comes with an original heavy steel wall mount bracket, which fits its intended use as a permanently installed unit. It was built to be bolted to a wall or truss and aimed at an audience.

The 27A Receiver Attachment

Some units appear with a “27A Receiver Attachment,” though this is not part of the horn’s original design. It’s an added accessory, likely installed later for specific applications—possibly to interface with different driver types or retrofit existing systems. Its presence doesn’t define the 31A, but it does reflect how these horns lived real lives, modified and adapted long after leaving the factory floor.

Historical Context

The 31A horn traces its roots to a design from the 1930s, though one example is believed to have been manufactured around 1949, in the late postwar period. By then Western Electric was already known for setting standards in telephone systems, motion picture sound, and high-fidelity reproduction. The horn stayed in production after the transfer of WE's business to ALTEC, so the 31A exists in two eras: as a Western Electric original and as an Altec continuation. That complicates collecting. With many replicas now in circulation, the market is full of look-alikes, so provenance and physical details like the cast-in model number matter for identification.

Collectibility & Value

The 31A horn has found a niche among collectors of vintage audio hardware, particularly those focused on Western Electric or horn-loaded speaker systems. Two recent listings show current pricing: a "NOS, NEW Altec / Western Electric 31A Horn" listed for $599.00, and another "ALTEC WESTERN ELECTRIC 31A horn with 27A adapter" priced at $749.99. These are not final sale prices, but they show demand for both original and continuation models, especially with rare accessories. One listing confirms no cracks or damage, but also notes staining, fading, and wear on the original paint, which is common on pieces this age. Collectors are advised to check whether a horn is a true Western Electric cast unit with the model number integrated into the metal, as opposed to later Altec versions marked with decals.

eBay Listings

Western Electric 31A Horn vintage audio equipment - eBay listing photo 1

2 western electric 31A horns for 713 A B C

$3,500

See all Western Electric 31A Horn on eBay

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