Vintage HMV speakers - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

BulgingCap · 8th Feb 2019, 1:20 pm

Yet another item that appeared today at my local auction house. There must have been a deceased effects clearance as it is very unusual for this type of item to be auctioned here, and they don't easily sell. There was no model number on the cabinets, only an HMV dog transfer on the top.
Having a gentle poke seemed to suggest a 3" hole near the top of the sound board, and an oval 7 or 8" hole at the bottom. I did not investigate too fully as I was in disgrace having just broken a swivel mirror that had already been sold...
BC

Cobaltblue · 8th Feb 2019, 1:25 pm

These look like the speakers often associated with the Capitol Stereo Record Player.

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthoped...cord-287088928

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/175147872984156201/

I think in UK sold under the EMI brand but maybe in Aus HMV?

Cheers

Mike T

Techman · 8th Feb 2019, 1:45 pm

All I can say is that I hope you bought them if they were cheap

BulgingCap · 9th Feb 2019, 5:00 am

Thaose pictured are definitely the same units. I didn't look if they had fitments for legs, and they do look nice!
Techman- Alas I didn't, as I don't collect such things although I have an interest. I was with Mrs BC at the time and she would have slapped a desist notice on any attempt to bid. I have too many loudspeakers as it is.
BC

stevehertz · 9th Feb 2019, 8:54 am

'Collectable' if you like that sort of thing but I doubt if they set the world in fire sound-wise.

Edward Huggins · 9th Feb 2019, 1:37 pm

These used EMI speakers: a 3" cone tweeter and a 10" x 6" full range unit. When placed in corners (note their section) they gave a nice plummy, "one note" bass, which sounded quite nice at the time.

RojDW48 · 9th Feb 2019, 1:51 pm

I had a pair a few years ago - yes - Capitol stereo RP. Very beautiful speakers - sadly they don't sound as good as they look - even hooked up to a very good amp.

BulgingCap · 10th Feb 2019, 11:06 am

I'm glad I didn't bid on them, then. I like the term 'plummy'- I will add it to my audio lexicon!
BC

AC/HL · 10th Feb 2019, 1:47 pm

AKA"Mellow Bellow"

RojDW48 · 10th Feb 2019, 2:42 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC/HL

AKA"Mellow Bellow"

That about sums it up!

Techman · 10th Feb 2019, 3:42 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC/HL

AKA"Mellow Bellow"

That's exactly what I remember my old lecturer saying to the class about the sound from traditional radiograms when I was doing my City and Guilds in radio, TV and electronics servicing back in the early 70s

I think Bill had the same teacher!

These speakers will be similar in construction and performance to those big floor standing F.R.C. speakers that I posted about recently, and were identified as originally made for use with the Ferguson Unit-Audio systems of the late 60s. They don't have any acoustic lagging and the sound can be described as acceptable. I ran them for a while and the sound did seem to improve over time - or perhaps I just got more used to them

8th Feb 2019, 1:20 pm	#1
BulgingCap Pentode Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: South Coast, Western Australia. Posts: 129	Vintage HMV speakers Yet another item that appeared today at my local auction house. There must have been a deceased effects clearance as it is very unusual for this type of item to be auctioned here, and they don't easily sell. There was no model number on the cabinets, only an HMV dog transfer on the top. Having a gentle poke seemed to suggest a 3" hole near the top of the sound board, and an oval 7 or 8" hole at the bottom. I did not investigate too fully as I was in disgrace having just broken a swivel mirror that had already been sold... BC Attached Thumbnails

8th Feb 2019, 1:25 pm	#2
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,875	Re: Vintage HMV speakers These look like the speakers often associated with the Capitol Stereo Record Player. https://www.worthpoint.com/worthoped...cord-287088928 https://www.pinterest.com/pin/175147872984156201/ I think in UK sold under the EMI brand but maybe in Aus HMV? Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk Last edited by Cobaltblue; 8th Feb 2019 at 1:36 pm. Reason: added worthpoint

8th Feb 2019, 1:45 pm	#3
Techman Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 5,000	Re: Vintage HMV speakers All I can say is that I hope you bought them if they were cheap

9th Feb 2019, 5:00 am	#4
BulgingCap Pentode Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: South Coast, Western Australia. Posts: 129	Re: Vintage HMV speakers Thaose pictured are definitely the same units. I didn't look if they had fitments for legs, and they do look nice! Techman- Alas I didn't, as I don't collect such things although I have an interest. I was with Mrs BC at the time and she would have slapped a desist notice on any attempt to bid. I have too many loudspeakers as it is. BC

9th Feb 2019, 8:54 am	#5
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,833	Re: Vintage HMV speakers 'Collectable' if you like that sort of thing but I doubt if they set the world in fire sound-wise. __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..

9th Feb 2019, 1:37 pm	#6
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,336	Re: Vintage HMV speakers These used EMI speakers: a 3" cone tweeter and a 10" x 6" full range unit. When placed in corners (note their section) they gave a nice plummy, "one note" bass, which sounded quite nice at the time. __________________ Edward.

9th Feb 2019, 1:51 pm	#7
RojDW48 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,074	Re: Vintage HMV speakers I had a pair a few years ago - yes - Capitol stereo RP. Very beautiful speakers - sadly they don't sound as good as they look - even hooked up to a very good amp. __________________ '....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan)

10th Feb 2019, 11:06 am	#8
BulgingCap Pentode Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: South Coast, Western Australia. Posts: 129	Re: Vintage HMV speakers I'm glad I didn't bid on them, then. I like the term 'plummy'- I will add it to my audio lexicon! BC

10th Feb 2019, 1:47 pm	#9
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Vintage HMV speakers AKA"Mellow Bellow"