How Horn Speakers Differ From Modern Speakers
Horn speakers are much larger than their modern counterparts. For example, some vintage Altec Lansing speakers stand four feet high and three feet wide with an imposing multicellular horn perched on top. Because they were designed to run on low-power amplifiers, they are energy-efficient despite their size. Horn speakers come in different designs. For example, Altec offered several different cabinets, including the A5 and the A7. The main difference between the two is the horn placement. On the A5, the horn is inside the cabinet, whereas on the A7, it’s on top. There are also multicellular horns, which are even more efficient at projecting sound.
Sound Quality From Horn Speakers
Old horn speakers sound surprisingly similar to modern sound systems. While some models underperform in the top octave of treble, everything below that sounds remarkably uncolored and natural. That’s because the low-frequency response of the horn allows the crossover to the woofer to be shifted down to 500 Hz or so, where any sonic artifacts are much less noticeable than they are at the usual woofer/tweeter crossover point of about 2.5 to 3 kHz. Horn speakers can be extremely loud even when powered by low-wattage guitar amplifiers. For example, three restored Altec Lansing A7 speakers can fill a 750-seat theater on 50 watts each. Some classic horn speakers can even produce sound that modern speakers can’t—if they set up the right room acoustics and dimensions.
Restored Horn Speakers
Several vintage audio dealers specialize in restored horn speaker systems. In addition to aesthetic repairs on the cabinet itself, restoration usually entails replacing the diaphragm on the compression driver attached to the horn and any nonfunctional crossover parts. Otherwise, the goal is to keep as many of the original parts as possible. Horns are sometimes sandblasted with crushed walnut shells to remove the paint without damaging the metal and then powder coated. Restored cabinets are usually stripped entirely of their original finish and replaced with several coats of paint. Optional add-ons may include:
A plinth to lift the speakers off the floor slightlyA teak base for the hornA fabric grill for the open area below the woofer.
Some restored horn speaker systems even use multiple amps for different sound frequencies.
How Much Do Horn Speakers Cost?
Restored horn speaker systems can cost thousands of dollars, but you can find individual speakers for under $1,000. If you enjoy restoring old electronics, purchase a nonworking speaker for much less and try to fix it yourself. You can also find working horn speakers with damaged cabinets, which means you’ll only have to worry about aesthetic repairs.
