Audio Video News

At the end of May, Altec Lansing Technologies announced that it would reintroduce its legendary A7 "Voice of the Theatre" loudspeaker. The first and only speaker series to be approved by the Research Council of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the A7 was the worldwide standard for motion picture playback throughout the 1950s, '60s, and '70s, enjoying widespread use in recording studios, night clubs, and rock venues. The "Voice of the Theatre" was "the most listened-to speaker system in the world, thrilling millions over its long and distinguished reign," according to a May 28 press announcement.

The Milford, PA–based manufacturer, which has spent the past decade concentrating on the computer audio market, has decided the time is ripe to reintroduce the A7 to a new generation of movie fans—and to collectors who grew up enjoying the speaker's warm, powerful sound. The new A7 is being manufactured in the USA "using the same materials, the same specs and production drawings, and even the same tools used in the original product," according to execs at Altec.

"Every detail, every specification is based on historic research and painstaking design analysis. For anyone from vacuum tube amplification fans to modern-day digital system lovers, the new A7 is a piece of history they can enjoy right in their own music room or home theater," said company president said Mark Lucas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Altec Lansing. "The new A7 is a meticulous re-issue of our original product," he emphasized. The new model is an "acoustic match of the original," according to advance publicity, despite boasting an improved frequency response. The crossover network is said to better accommodate modern media such as SACD or DVD-A.

The A7 features several components that were breakthroughs in the field, and that were later adopted by other manufacturers, such as mating the woofer's characteristics to the cabinet, and the use of edge-wound, copper-clad aluminum ribbon voice coils. Originally developed in 1924 by Western Electric engineers who later founded Altec Lansing, the A7's high frequency compression driver features a 100% aluminum diaphragm for extended high frequency performance. Individually numbered speaker cabinets are constructed of 13-layer Baltic Birch, and are finished with the signature "Voice of the Theatre" black splatter finish. Price is $4000 each ($8000/pair), available exclusively through Altec Lansing's website.