Admiral 111-07 〈2024〉

Unlike later "pocket radios" that used tiny speakers producing tinny highs, the Admiral features a 4x6 inch oval speaker mounted in a sealed wooden back (not plastic!). Because of this wooden baffle, the 111-07 produces low-end response that should be impossible for a battery-powered unit.

Admiral used a layout that is exceptionally clean for the era. The ceramic capacitors are color-coded like tiny candies, and the transistors are housed in those classic top-hat metal casings.

Prices have climbed in the last few years. A "parts only" unit will run you $40. A fully restored, singing unit will set you back $150 to $250. admiral 111-07

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At first glance, it looks like a standard mid-century portable. But for those who collect vintage American electronics, the model number 111-07 is something of a legend. It represents a specific window in time—roughly 1962 to 1964—when Admiral, the Chicago-based electronics giant, was competing directly with the likes of Zenith and RCA. Unlike later "pocket radios" that used tiny speakers

Vintage Audio / Hi-Fi

Here is why this specific radio still matters 60 years later. Forget the flashy colors of Japanese imports. The Admiral 111-07 is all business. Usually found in a muted tweed or charcoal case with brushed silver trim, it looks like something a NASA engineer would have had on his desk during the Mercury missions. The ceramic capacitors are color-coded like tiny candies,

The Admiral 111-07: Why This Vintage Gem Refuses to Fade Away

If you want Bluetooth, buy a JBL. If you want loud volume, buy a boombox.

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