Altec Laguna model speakers

[Bill H.]

Anybody know any information on these with the 830a speaker system. Been looking all morning on my dial up modem What sites or tech information do you guys use for all your information, so maybe I can help myself more?

Thanks
Bill

[Don McRitchie]

Hi Bill

Do you mean the 803A? The Laguna used two 15" 803 bass drivers and the 802 compression driver on a 511 horn. The 803A was the first in a series of drivers that would ultimately evolve into the 416. The 803A is considered bass restricted compared to the 803B and later 416's. This is because it did not have a separate, high compliance surround but rather used an extension of the paper cone that was formed into a hinge at the rim. This was not unique to Altec since most of their contemporaries (including JBL) did the same thing at the time.

Some prefer the sound of these older drivers, believing them to be more dynamic. I'm not one of them since I think the later 416's were the best of the series. If you have or get a Laguna, I would consider replacing the drivers with 416's that can be had quite inexpensively these days. However, I would not get rid of the 803A's. I would store them carefully, since resale value of the Laguna is far greater with the original drivers.

In case you don't know, the Laguna is considered by collectors to be one most desirable Altec home speakers ever made. It was next to the largest home system made by them with its twin 15" drivers and large 511 horn. It's second only to the 820 in both size and value. That system also used twin 803, but had a smaller 800hz horn (either multicell or sectoral depending on age). However, the bass drivers were partially horn loaded with a larger enclosure.

There is a catalog page describing the Laguna on the Hifilit site here:

http://www.hifilit.com/hifilit/Altec/1959-h.jpg

Information on the 820 can be found in our library here:

http://www.lansingheritage.org/image...ome/page08.jpg

As far as other sites, there is the Unofficial Altec Lansing Homepage here:

http://alteclansingunofficial.nlenet.net/

[Bill H.]

Sure will help when I get this picture posting thing figured out!! But the labels on the back of the speaker cabinets say 830A speaker system. THE LAGUNA

[Bill H.]

Sorry I posted the label no. before I read the site you posted. Guess the speakers are 803's
Thank you very much for your help
Bill

[Don McRitchie]

Sure will help when I get this picture posting thing figured out!! But the labels on the back of the speaker cabinets say 830A speaker system. THE LAGUNA

My mistake, the system (enclosures plus drivers) is indeed named 830A in Altecs literature. I'm not clear, do you have a pair?

BTW, instructions on uploading photos can be found here:

http://www.audioheritage.org/vbullet...read.php?t=817

[citadel]

Dear all,
I'd like to find out the detail drawing of ALTEC LAGUNA cabinet for my DIY project. Please help me
Thanks
Regards

[speakerdave]

I think it's in Davis, Badmaieff et al but I can't find my copy right now to check. I don't think I've ever seen the plans anywhere else. The book comes up on ebay fairly regularly, though it generally goes for $75 or more. Well worth having, but spendy.

[Doc Mark]

I think it's in Davis, Badmaieff et al but I can't find my copy right now to check. I don't think I've ever seen the plans anywhere else. The book comes up on ebay fairly regularly, though it generally goes for $75 or more. Well worth having, but spendy.

Hey, Dave,

You must be talking about a hard copy of that book, right? My old paperback, published by Howard W. Sams, cost me all of $4.50 when I bought it at an Allied Radio Store, back in the 1970's! I don't see the Altec 830A in there, though. Is it called something else, besides "The Laguna"? If there was a hard copy, maybe it had more enclosure designs in it. Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[JBLRaiser]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-Cabinet-Desi...d=p3286.c0.m14

[Doc Mark]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-Cabinet-Desi...d=p3286.c0.m14

Hey, JBLRaiser,

WOW!! I guess I'd better treat my copy of that book with a little reverence, eh?!! Mine is a first edition, 12th printing, with a different cover, which I actually like much better than the cover of the book that's being sold. And, I also have a hard copy of the Cohen book, which the seller is offering for almost $150!! Man, I'm glad I got them, and lots of other similar books on loudspeaker design, back when they were dirt cheap!! Blessings by the truck load! Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[speakerdave]

. . . . My old paperback, published by Howard W. Sams, cost me all of $4.50 . . . .

Well, I got mine for $3.95, so you clearly overpaid.

pp 59, 60, 61

[speakerdave]

JBLRaiser--Timing? Hardly. We have a reader who had a copy to sell.

[Doc Mark]

Well, I got mine for $3.95, so you clearly overpaid.

pp 59, 60, 61

Hey, SpeakerDave,

Yeah, and I didn't even get KISSED, either!!! Thanks for the page numbers. My book doesn't list that as a certain Altec model, and I had no idea that was it. Thanks, again, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[getyourown67]

Please advise more information about these fabulous speakers. Made of Rosewood, matching set, rarity? New too Lansing Heritage please help!!!!!!!