Help identifying boombox

[NeffSang]

Hey folks,
As I am new to boomboxes in general, I'm not particularly sure with how to identify them. (also apologies if this should be posted elsewhere.)

Either way, I had an old boombox in the past that I wanted to identify. I've only got some old fuzzy pictures of it, but if anyone happens to recognize something about it, that would be helpful.









Minor note: the cassette deck is missing in these photos as it did not work at that time. The original buttons for the deck were this shiny silvery metallic type.

 

[samovar]

This is a well-known unit. The design is definitely Toshiba but I have never been able to locate one. The most common European version is the Siemens Club RM 796. In Italy I've found also a trevi version (Made in Hong Kong, with no model number). There probably exists a Nippon version -- since the Nippon SRR 013 (aka Siemens Club 794) is basically the same boombox, but with bass and treble knob controls instead of a graphic equalizer.

 

[caution]

Hey there, welcome to the site! Your box is an AKA of the Siemens Club 796, but I'm not sure which one. The Viking SRC-7494 matches yours except the name above the tape counter. So, either your Viking logo fell off or it's a different AKA.

 

[NeffSang]

Thanks folks! For some extra context, this unit was found in Australia.

 

[NeffSang]

This is a well-known unit. The design is definitely Toshiba but I have never been able to locate one. The most common European version is the Siemens Club RM 796. In Italy I've found also a trevi version (Made in Hong Kong, with no model number). There probably exists a Nippon version -- since the Nippon SRR 013 (aka Siemens Club 794) is basically the same boombox, but with bass and treble knob controls instead of a graphic equalizer.

Thanks! When you say never been able to locate one, does that mean the model number is unknown? or is it just not found in Europe to begin with?

 

[samovar]

Thanks! When you say never been able to locate one, does that mean the model number is unknown? or is it just not found in Europe to begin with?

What I mean is that I have never seen a Siemens Club 794 or 796 (or any other aka) branded Toshiba, and as far as I know nobody has. The design is clearly Tosh-like, but it seems that Toshiba never produced this boombox.

Caution's suggestion is very sensible: your unit must have lost the logo, whichever brand it was. Viking is a very likely candidate, since the unit was sold at the Eaton Stores. So it is nippon, which was certainly sold in Australia -- whereas I believe that trevi, the Italian brand, is extremely unlikely.

I would add to the list of possible alternative brands Clairtone, Audiologic, Ambassador, Conic, CCE, Tisonic. I reason by analogy, since (a) I have seen akas of the Siemens Club 794 from these brands, and (b) the Viking version of the 794 is also known as Viking SRC 7394. See here:

.

Once on Youtube, you can also have a look at both the Siemens Club 794 and the 796 in action:

Then when you're finished you get back to boomboxery and have a look at this thread:

Which make and type is this Boombox?

I'm looking for some more information of this Boombox used in the Return of the Living Dead. It's a Viking Eaton spin off but it differs from a Viking/Siemens when you look at the door for the tape. It has a name or logo in the left top corner. Another difference are the chroom 'vents' left...

boomboxery.com

 

[Reli]

In Germany it was known as the Universum 614.599, sold in the Quelle catalog

 

[Brutus442]

Hey there, welcome to the site! Your box is an AKA of the Siemens Club 796, but I'm not sure which one. The Viking SRC-7494 matches yours except the name above the tape counter. So, either your Viking logo fell off or it's a different AKA.

Caution, do you have a full size image of the top picture you posted or a source to this pic?

 

[NeffSang]

Thanks for the help everyone, I had looked around at the various AKAs of this and noticed that this one appears to be a different AKA yet again.

I noticed that the grill on the microphone for mine is more of a mesh type than the others pictured as they have a sort of silver chrome like thingie.

I also re-watched the footage and had noticed that there definitely is a logo, where the Viking logo would be located, as Caution pointed out.
I had suspected it may have said sth like "Goldstar" due to the dot on the left which I assumed as a logo, however, the words don't appear to match as it's one long word and one short word.

As this is from an old video, where the moving footage is sometimes clearer than a single frame is alone, I have uploaded the video for attempted clarity:

I'm starting to suspect it may be some unknown local Australian brand, however, if anyone knows of a brand that matches the description from above, then that would be helpful!

 

[caution]

Caution, do you have a full size image of the top picture you posted or a source to this pic?

Here you go
It was in the Langley Advance (British Columbia) March 2, 1983

 

[NeffSang]

Hey there, welcome to the site! Your box is an AKA of the Siemens Club 796, but I'm not sure which one. The Viking SRC-7494 matches yours except the name above the tape counter. So, either your Viking logo fell off or it's a different AKA.

Hi Caution,

Do you happen to know any other of the AKAs of this box?
As I'm not familiar, I want to know what other names/models it also goes by.

 

[Reli]

https://www.amazon.com/Retro-Boombox-Radio-Lunchbox-Tote/dp/B07FZT7CJC

 

[NeffSang]

So to those who are curious, I had found out that in Australia, these were sold under the brand "Audiosonic", which is most likely what mine was.

These didn't say a proper model number, but said "Item No: 5000" and "Code: 636-865"

Pictures are of the information, which were found on an Australian Auction site

 

[Reli]

Interesting, that appears to be different from the Audiosonic brand used in Europe:
Audiosonic | The Boombox Wiki (wikiboombox.com)

 

[samovar]

Interesting, that appears to be different from the Audiosonic brand used in Europe:
Audiosonic | The Boombox Wiki (wikiboombox.com)

No less interesting is the fact that I have been unable to find an Audiosonic version in Europe -- but an Audiologic one. The iternationl market was weird back in the day, definitely more than nowadays

 

[NeffSang]

Interesting, that appears to be different from the Audiosonic brand used in Europe:
Audiosonic | The Boombox Wiki (wikiboombox.com)

From further research, I found that the brand of Audiosonic used in Australia is one used by the department store Kmart. It appears to have been trademarked in the late 70s and is a name they still sell under.

Under this fact, I would say that this boombox would've most likely been a bit of a cheap one (mainly price) due to Kmart generally selling things at a cheaper price (but often with a cheaper build quality)

 

[Reli]

But the model in your photo is actually good quality. It is identical to the Siemens and Viking. I have one and the bass is good.

 

[NeffSang]

But the model in your photo is actually good quality. It is identical to the Siemens and Viking. I have one and the bass is good.

Very nice, I'd love to get one myself, however locating them in general seems to be extremely difficult (not to mention finding someone who is selling them!)