Angelo's Zenith Table Radio

I just received a Zenith table radio----I'm guessing from the early 1970s.  It joins my similar era Panasonic table radio.  I absolutely love the sound of the Panny.  It might be the best audio I've heard in this size range.  I believe it's more pleasing for talk radio than my C Crane EP and that's saying a lot as far as I'm concerned.  I like the Panasonic so much, I just won another auction for a similar one---looks like my model but also has weather band.

 

Regarding the Zenith, it also sounds good.  In my opinion, the audio quality isn't on par with the Panny, but it has good power and the tone control does its job (though I strongly prefer separate bass and treble controls).  "Audio quality" is a funny thing----a subjective topic.  The Zenith is nice and clear, plenty loud enough too.  To my ears, the Panasonic is "crisper" and smoother.  It is possible someone else would say the Panasonic sounds "tinny" and the Zenith delivers more boom for the buck.  I listen to a lot of talk radio and for that purpose, I prefer the Panny.

 

On style:  Panasonic and Sony table radios of this era, in this size, are basically decluttered wood boxes, all function and not much form.  Meanwhile, the American brands, Zenith and RCA, went a different route.  I've seen plenty of these table radios that appear to be mini versions of the large console stereos of the era.  I also have an RCA on the way and I can't wait to see it.  The styling on the RCAs and Zeniths mimmicks those consoles in several ways---including the fact that they are offered in different wood tones----maple, walnut, fruit wood---probably others too.  The big consoles, which were actually pieces of living room furniture back in the day, also offered these wood tones to match buyers' decor.  All of this reminds me of American vs. Japanese cars:  The Japanese models used to be function over form---appliances that did not offer jazz, but delivered reliability and worked as they should.  The American models put a big emphasis on styling---fancy wheels, opera windows, plush interiors and lots of chrome.  This analogy works well because I see that comparison in my Panasonic and Zenith table radios.  Depending on the objectives of your radio collection, I definitely recommend having a look at these offerings on E-Bay.  They tend to go for far less than shortwave or field radios from these makers and electronically, they're very good from what I can tell.

 

Angelo      

Comments

[Ken K. in NJ]

I agree. My father-in-law had a Sony 9580 which somehow got disposed of after he passed away about 16 years ago. As I recall the sound was terrific. I've been thinking of bidding on one. They turn up every so often and don't go for a whole lot of money, especially, as you said, compared to the SW sets of the same era.

[Keith B.]

That's a nice-looking Zenith. I've owned several AM/FM vintage table radios including Sonys, Panasonics, Zeniths, and a Magnavox. All have/had good sound, but surprisingly, the one with the best AM reception is a Radio Shack Realistic M-16, circa 1995! It also has a big sound for its size--about 8x5x4 inches.

Angelo, what's the "Solid State Eight Band" radio behind the Panny? Is that your Aircastle?

[Angelo]

Keith: That radio in the background is actually an Allied---but it is a clone of the Aircastle you're referring to, apparently the same exact radio except for the nameplate. And you brought up Magnavox---if I see one of their table radios in nice shape, at a good price, I might bite.

[Mark Roberts]

Yes, Zenith sure liked the cabinetry. It reminds of something my mom would have bought at a "House of Zenith" (dealers who handled only the Zenith brand). This radio may have been made just before Zenith was pushing its "Circle of Sound" brand. It looks similar to those I have seen from the early 1970s. I have a Circle of Sound clock radio from 1972, with a fake-wood plastic cabinet, which I wrote about last year (http://my.opera.com/markrobt/blog/2010/06/28/radios-i-have-known-the-zenith-circle-of-sound-clock-radio), including a couple of simple steps Zenith took to get good sound out of the radio -- boost the bass electronically and use a quality speaker.

[Angelo]

Mark: Interesting----the bass on this Zenith is pretty good and I can turn the radio up quite loud without distortion, indicating a half decent speaker. I'm curious to see how the RCA (on its way to me) stacks up. I guess when you're buying things that are 40 years old, condition is everything---but assuming the RCA is intact, it'll be an interesting comparison to this very nice Zenith.