A pair of very nice Altec 808-8A drivers, circa 1973, both bearing the black Altec “Symbiotik” tag. Both units are mostly original, nice straight terminals, and have fairly close serial #s; 18847 and 18878. The paint on both drivers is fairly clean, with only a few blemishes normal for age -- one driver has a mild touch up spot on the rear top. There is light oxidation under the around paper gasket material, throat channel, and top pole plate (visible around diaphragm) also normal from age. endp
The drivers are guaranteed to arrive 100% safely, no DOA. They include all you see in photos, included old reproduction papers, test reports for each driver and info shown. Both drivers feature their original Symbiotik Aluminum/Phenolic hybrid diaphragms, orig paper gaskets, and both have the handy, scarce acoustical compression caps (an accessory).
They appear to have been, at some time serviced for the common Altec lead fatigue (a common,repairable factory defect) -- and are both otherwise nice, solid, original and seem to be working well and reliable.
Both measure around 8 ohms and 1000 cycles, and have fairly close resonance points -- this is a well matched pair.. See test reports in exhibits A, B and C for measurements. Both units work wonderfully. They sound matched, clean and quite detailed. endp
Carefully inspected, with both music and both units swept 20-20k with signal generator. No buzz or rattles -- both performed well.
Even after Jim Lansing’s death in the late 1940s, Altec largely constructed their compression drivers quite faithfully to the postwar 1940s design he left with im the Lansing company’s buyout.
By the late 1940’s -- while the new JBL company hyped new designs like the D175 -- under great R&D constraints … Altec happily churned away refining and mass producing variants of the 1930’s 801’s terrific design with a few manufacturing refinements and material changes (to both the body and diaphragm).
Interestingly though, it was not until the the late 1960s --there were never any radical ideas -- until the introduction of these briefly made Symbiotik diaphragms... We see and hear any hugely radical changes in tone, and performance and various points. These strange looking variants were born at a time, where Altec wanted to grossly hype bigger wattage handling -- but rather, what they gleaned was a few notable behavioural tweaks ... they sound eerily smoother, with less raspy top end performance. Something quickly noticed, back in the 1970s amps when amps sounded harsh… Working musicians and studio recording pro’s really treasured these for that and overall efficiency, clarity and durability.
Over the years they have been often overlooked; and when coupled in large systems, they perform faithfully, blending alongside all of the other 12” an 15” woofers Altec made -- and the 808-8A shares a similar response to the well respected 802 series (the 808 does not reach quite as high, but you won’t notice).
If you plan to use a smallish 500 or 800 cycle horn (or something even smaller) and you have a small or medium sized room -- don’t overlook the 808 and it’s “symbiotik”, part phenolic diaphragm. Despite the added detail you get with all aluminum found in other 8xx drivers (and JBL 175’s) -- you also risk the influx of harshness -- or too much efficiency in the upper high range -- a problem for all --- but especially fatiguing in close quarters.
Buy Now to avoid a bidders war. You don’t these too often in such nice shape -- they will sell quickly.
Packed dimensions are 14 x 14 x 8”, shipping weight is 20lbs for both, packed in double lined box. Overseas buyers welcome -- default service is eBay’s Global Shipping program, which is fast and secure to most countries. You may also contact me for other arrangements.
The drivers are guaranteed to arrive 100% safely, no DOA. They include all you see in photos, included old reproduction papers, test reports for each driver and info shown.
