Akai X-4 (mid-1960s)
Not much information on the Akai X-4 has survived. The model shows up in period advertisements and dealer listings under a few name variants - X4, X-4, and X-IV - all pointing to the same portable stereo recorder. Studio Sound (October 1965, p.5) called it "the only complete 4 track mains/battery portable stereo recorder available." It ran at four speeds, took 5-inch reels, was fully transistorised, and put out 2 watts. Two years later, High Fidelity (October 1967, p.143) ran an ad for the "Model X-IV" with more detail. It lists Akai's exclusive cross-field head system, 4-track 4-speed stereo/mono recording and playback, a 4-watt power output, piano-key controls, a metal case, a deviationless motor, battery or AC operation, and a large oval speaker. Frequency response was listed as 40-20,000 cps. Weight was 11.2 lb (less batteries), which the ad pitched as portable.
The 2-watt and 4-watt claims don't agree. That may mean different revisions, or a spec correction across the two years. Beyond these period mentions, little else is recorded. No service literature, original price, or production run details have surfaced.
Known specs (drawn from period sources):
- Type: 4-track stereo/mono portable reel-to-reel recorder
- Speeds: 4 (exact speeds undocumented)
- Reel size: 5 inches
- Output power: 2–4 watts (source-dependent)
- Cross-field head (per High Fidelity ad)
- Fully transistorised
- Power: battery or AC mains
- Weight: 11.2 lb (less battery)
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