HMV model 1122 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

sparkymike · 4th Sep 2019, 7:18 am

I was given an HMV model 1122 table radio last week circa 1951,(Festival of Britain year) used daily by a pensioner. Apart from usual dust and grime it works fine. One thing puzzles me. The speaker, instead of being mounted to the thick front of the case, is sub-mounted on a thin pliable fiberboard baffle which to my mind does nothing for the bass. Was this done for a reason, ie. to prevent valves/components from vibrating ? Just curious.
Mike.

rontech · 4th Sep 2019, 8:57 am

At one time I think some loudspeaker designers proposed carefully tuned, thin walled, mounting cases to increase the bass output of small drive units.

There may have been an issue with microphonic valves and HMV did a last minute "fix"

Another possibility is a previous owner "dabbling"

For many years HMV, and other EMI associates used 13" x 8" elliptical loudspeakers which were not bad units for the period..

sparkymike · 4th Sep 2019, 9:17 am

I will have to try a temporary mod and listen to the difference. (if any)
It will also be a chance to clean out the usual fluff from the front of the speaker.
Mike.

Tim · 4th Sep 2019, 10:38 pm

Yes big speaker in these sets. Wax capacitors are poor though, and likely to be all leaky.

4th Sep 2019, 7:18 am	#1
sparkymike Octode Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Colchester, Essex, UK. Posts: 1,078	HMV model 1122 I was given an HMV model 1122 table radio last week circa 1951,(Festival of Britain year) used daily by a pensioner. Apart from usual dust and grime it works fine. One thing puzzles me. The speaker, instead of being mounted to the thick front of the case, is sub-mounted on a thin pliable fiberboard baffle which to my mind does nothing for the bass. Was this done for a reason, ie. to prevent valves/components from vibrating ? Just curious. Mike.

4th Sep 2019, 8:57 am	#2
rontech Heptode Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Southport, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 646	Re: HMV model 1122 At one time I think some loudspeaker designers proposed carefully tuned, thin walled, mounting cases to increase the bass output of small drive units. There may have been an issue with microphonic valves and HMV did a last minute "fix" Another possibility is a previous owner "dabbling" For many years HMV, and other EMI associates used 13" x 8" elliptical loudspeakers which were not bad units for the period.. __________________ Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana

4th Sep 2019, 9:17 am	#3
sparkymike Octode Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Colchester, Essex, UK. Posts: 1,078	Re: HMV model 1122 I will have to try a temporary mod and listen to the difference. (if any) It will also be a chance to clean out the usual fluff from the front of the speaker. Mike.

4th Sep 2019, 10:38 pm	#4
Tim Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,310	Re: HMV model 1122 Yes big speaker in these sets. Wax capacitors are poor though, and likely to be all leaky. __________________ "Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly."