Great Plains Acoustics

Overview

Great Plains Acoustics, formerly Great Plains Audio, manufactures loudspeaker drivers and repair parts continuing the Altec Lansing tradition from its 1998 founding after the Altec factory closure in Oklahoma City. It serves DIY enthusiasts, recording studio professionals, and commercial sound integrators with products using original Altec tooling. The company re-releases classic Altec designs like woofers and compression drivers under its Classic Series.¹³⁶

History

Great Plains Audio was founded in 1998 by Bill Hanuschak, an Altec Lansing engineer since 1980, who acquired the tooling, drawings, and equipment from EVI/Telex after the Oklahoma City factory closed to maintain and repair Altec products.¹³ In 2018, Francisco Jileta purchased the company, becoming CEO while Hanuschak serves as CTO.¹ The company rebranded to Great Plains Acoustics, continuing production of repair parts and complete Altec-style loudspeakers.¹²

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Products are manufactured using original Altec Lansing tooling and equipment acquired in 1998. Production occurs in the United States, with in-house capabilities for repair parts and complete loudspeakers.¹³

Notable Products

• 515C Woofer - World-famous Altec low-frequency driver re-released in Classic Series.
• 417-8H Alnico Woofer - Classic Altec woofer reproduced using original tooling.
• 288H-series Driver - New Alnico high-frequency compression driver continuing Altec heritage.

Reputation

Enthusiasts value Great Plains Acoustics for preserving Altec Lansing's sound reproduction technologies with original tooling, maintaining high quality in repairs and reissues.¹³⁶ Professionals in studios and commercial installs rely on it for reliable parts availability.¹ Some forum discussions note the 2018 ownership change, but the company affirms continuity in people and performance.¹⁵