Are there any Altec Vott speakers for home use?
David Ramirez
Published May 05, 2026
Are there any Altec Vott speakers for home use?
Altec made a sealed woofer version of the VOTT for home use called the 878B Santiago. They also made an unfinished birch version of this speaker (or similar) at a lower cost. The VOTT-based home speakers were generally good to excellent. The 890C is not in that category, in design, components, or performance.
What kind of sound does an Altec switch make?
The switch itself is pretty neat; vintage Japanese NOS unit with gold contacts and a ‘pull’ shaft, IE., you need to pull the shaft toward you in order to change its position. So that’s about it… the sound is very good; very clear, very low noise.
How big is the Altec preservation sound 43A?
Above is the original context in which the 43A would have been found – it’s the piece on the bottom – and this entire massive apparatus represents a single 20-watt audio playback channel, with all associated power supplies, preamps, and control devices. Above, a pair of these systems, as seen recently via a dealer in Japan.
What kind of speakers did voice of theater use?
Massive sounding speakers. The Altec 848A ‘Flamenco’s’. These are home versions of the Iconic ‘ Voice of the Theater ‘ A-7 Loudspeakers (VOTT), one of the most famous speakers ever designed. I personally own the other version of these called the Altec 846A or ‘Valencia’ Loud Speakers.
What kind of horn does an Altec Vott have?
In the photo above you can see an Altec A5 VOTT with the 1005B horn, which is the style of horn I am getting.
What was the impact of Altec Lansing loudspeakers?
However, its market impact was arguably greater. While Altec Lansing was already the preeminent manufacturer of movie loudspeakers, the Voice of the Theatre was singularly responsible for Altec Lansing’s rise to market dominance.
When did the Vott sound system come out?
The A4 and A2 versions of the VOTT were introduced in 1945 to much acclaim. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences immediately began tests of the new system that confirmed the sonic improvements. By 1955, the Academy adopted the VOTT as the industry standard for motion picture playback.
The switch itself is pretty neat; vintage Japanese NOS unit with gold contacts and a ‘pull’ shaft, IE., you need to pull the shaft toward you in order to change its position. So that’s about it… the sound is very good; very clear, very low noise.