In the introduction to "Recommended Components" in the final issue in Volume One of what was then called The Stereophile
, published in May 1966, founder J. Gordon Holt briefly described his Top-Rated Loudspeaker Systems.Altec A-7
A highly efficient horn-loaded system for use in large to very large listening rooms (at least 15' from the listening area), or for very high-volume "Row-A" listening. Excellent woofer-tweeter blending, moderately deep (useful 45Hz limit in most rooms) and very taut, well-defined low end. Highs smooth and slightly soft, yielding most natural high-end quality at high listening levels. Middles smooth, rather forward, placing closely miked instruments somewhat in front of the system itself.