Magnavox

The company that brought stereo consoles to every American home

History

Magnavox traces its origins to 1911 in Napa, California, where Edwin Pridham and Peter L. Jensen—co-inventors of the moving-coil loudspeaker—established the Commercial Wireless and Development Company. The "Magnavox" name (Latin for "great voice") was adopted in 1917, reflecting the company's focus on sound reproduction.

The moving-coil loudspeaker invented by Pridham and Jensen became the foundation of all modern dynamic speakers. This invention alone secured Magnavox's place in audio history, even before the company's most famous products.

Magnavox began producing home audio equipment in the 1920s and 1930s, but it was in the 1950s and 1960s that the company became a household name. The Magnavox Stereo Console—furniture-piece stereos housing turntables, tuners, amplifiers, and speakers in beautiful cabinets—became fixtures in American living rooms.

The company's "Golden Voice" speakers, with their distinctive horn-loaded design, delivered clear, efficient sound that defined the Magnavox house sound. These speakers used compression drivers coupled to cast-iron horns for exceptional vocal clarity.

In 1974, Magnavox was purchased by North American Philips, becoming part of the Dutch electronics giant. The brand continued through various ownership changes, with the original American manufacturing eventually ceasing.

Key Facts

Legendary Products

Magnavox Stereo Consoles (1950s-70s)

Magnificent furniture-piece stereos combining turntables, AM/FM tuners, amplifiers, and speakers in beautifully crafted wood cabinets. Models ranged from modest units to elaborate systems with automatic record changers and reel-to-reel tape decks.

Magnavox Golden Voice Speakers

The distinctive horn-loaded speakers that gave Magnavox its signature sound. Using compression drivers and cast-iron horns, Golden Voice speakers delivered exceptional efficiency and clarity, particularly for vocals.

Magnavox Astro-Sonic Series (1960s-70s)

Console stereos featuring solid-state amplification and advanced turntable mechanisms. The Astro-Sonic line represented the peak of Magnavox console manufacturing.

Magnavox Console Speakers

Many Magnavox consoles featured high-quality speakers designed specifically for their enclosures. These often included 12-inch or 15-inch woofers with horn midranges and tweeters.

Classic Models Reference

Sound Signature

Magnavox equipment is characterized by:

• Vocal clarity - Horn-loaded midrange
• High efficiency - Easy to drive
• Warm presentation - Pleasing, musical sound
• American engineering - Solid, reliable construction
• Furniture integration - Designed for living rooms

Collecting Magnavox

Vintage Magnavox gear is valued for:

• Speaker invention heritage - Pridham & Jensen legacy
• Console furniture - Mid-century modern appeal
• Golden Voice sound - Distinctive horn character
• Nostalgia factor - Many childhood memories
• Affordability - Accessible entry to vintage audio

Restoration Tips

Common Magnavox service items:

• Replace electrolytic capacitors in tube models
• Service Micromatic turntable mechanisms
• Clean horn driver diaphragms
• Refinish wood cabinets
• Replace selenium rectifiers with silicon

Competitors & Comparisons

Magnavox vs Zenith: Both American console makers; similar market positioning

Magnavox vs Fisher: Fisher higher-end reputation; Magnavox broader market

Magnavox vs RCA: Both American giants; RCA more diverse, Magnavox audio-focused

All Models in Archive (8)

Speakers, Consoles

• Magnavox - American Audio Heritage

Amplifiers

• AMPLIFIER-CHASSIS - 1955

Speakers

• ASTRO-SONIC SERIES - 1955
• Component Systems - 1972
• HIGH-END-CONSOLE-SERIES - 1968
• MICROMATIC Series - 1958
• OTHER-CONSOLE-MODELS - 1955
• SPEAKER-SYSTEMS - 1970

Tuners

• TUNER-CHASSIS - 1965