Altec Voice of the Theatre A4
1947 - 1970s
The VOTT A4 was the compact member of the Voice of the Theatre family, designed for smaller cinemas and venues where the massive A7 would be impractical. Using a 12" woofer instead of the A7's 15", it offered 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 used the same basic design philosophy as the larger A7: a combination horn and bass-reflex system optimized for cinema applications. The 12" 414 woofer provided ample bass for smaller rooms while maintaining the Altec characteristic 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 but are prized by collectors 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