Description:

Electro-Voice Inc., Michigan. Pair mid-century "Patrician 800" model corner speaker systems, ca. 1950s. With satin walnut wooden body and rattan screens.

Lot Essay:
Introduced in the late 1950s, the Electro-Voice Patrician 800 model represents one of the most ambitious loudspeaker systems produced for the market. Designed and manufactured in Buchanan, Michigan by Electro-Voice, a company founded in 1927 and renowned for its innovations in audio engineering, the Patrician 800 embodied mid-century America's appetite for high-fidelity sound and bold, modernist design. At nearly five feet tall and weighing over 300 pounds, the speaker was as much a visual statement as an acoustic one; its imposing scale housing a 30-inch low-frequency woofer, one of the largest ever used in a commercial speaker cabinet.

The Patrician 800 was designed to reproduce the full frequency range of orchestral and cinematic sound with minimal distortion, an ideal aligned with the emerging high-fidelity (hi-fi) movement of the post-war era. It employed a multi-driver configuration, including a folded bass horn, midrange compression driver, and exponential horn tweeters, resulting in a dynamic and detailed soundstage previously reserved for professional or studio environments. At the time of its release, it was one of the most expensive and technologically advanced home loudspeakers available, marketed as a no-compromise solution for serious audiophiles and luxury interiors alike.

Today, the Patrician 800 is revered not only for its engineering achievements but also for its cultural significance as a symbol of mid-century audio excellence. It stands at the intersection of industrial design, acoustic innovation, and the golden age of American hi-fi, making surviving examples rare and highly collectible among audio historians, vintage electronics enthusiasts, and design connoisseurs. These speaker remains a benchmark of what high-end audio once aspired to be: monumental, uncompromising, and timeless.

  • Dimensions: (Each) Height: 51 in x width: 33 in x depth: 21 1/2 in. Gross weight, approximately: in excess of 600 lbs.
  • Condition: To assess the functionality, the speakers were connected to a 2a3 tube amp and a digital source in stereo mode, in accordance with the diagram on the back of each speaker. One of the units operates well and outputs clear sound; considerable volume was achieved and the range of frequency appeared correct, however, this lot has not been tested by a licensed audio technologist and the quality of the auditory output has not been professionally assessed. To the second unit, only one of the speakers within the cabinet appears to output sound and the corresponding knob, marked "low frequency," appears to function; the "high" and "very high frequency" knobs do not appear to function properly, rotating with resistance, and it appears that the additional three speakers within the unit do not output sound in their current state, likely due to the deterioration of the crossover unit. Please reference the lot listing photographs for additional detail. Service is recommended to both of the units for optimal sound quality, as the crossovers have deteriorated, commensurate with age; they do not function as intended. There are no breaks or tears to the woofers. Some dust gathered throughout. Some cosmetic wear to the exterior of each including scuffs, small cracks, and slight warping to the wood. The speakers have not been professionally tested or assess by a licensed Electro-Voice dealer. The speakers are offered as is. Please follow this link if you would like to see additional images of the details: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/kxs421gx1f6am0p8jed9p/AAt_gvkb4pxdd8wsCOxAXG8?rlkey=ug4x8akdyod85201hj0s3dlzw&st=wstpz7wq&dl=0

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July 15, 2025 10:00 AM CDT
St Paul, MN, US

Revere Auctions

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