VINTAGE TECHNOLOGY ARCHIVE / AUDIO / SHERWOOD

Sherwood

Chicago-built receivers that brought hi-fi to the masses

History

Sherwood Electronic Laboratories was founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1953 by Ed Miller and John Snow. The company name came from combining the founders' first names: Sherman (Ed's nickname) and Woodrow (John's middle name).

Sherwood's early products were tube amplifiers and preamplifiers that offered good performance at affordable prices. The company quickly established a reputation for value engineering.

The 1960s saw Sherwood expand into receivers with models like the S-5500 and S-7200. These tube receivers offered features and performance comparable to more expensive brands at lower prices.

The S-7100 (1970s) became Sherwood's most successful model—a solid-state receiver that delivered 25 watts per channel with respectable build quality and reliability. It served as an entry point to hi-fi for thousands of consumers.

Sherwood also produced cassette decks, tuners, and speakers. While never competing at the high end, Sherwood maintained a consistent position in the entry-to-mid-level market.

In the 1980s and beyond, Sherwood increasingly focused on budget consumer electronics and home theater products. The brand is now owned by Inkel Corporation of Korea.

Key Facts

FactDetail
Founded1953, Chicago, Illinois
FoundersEd Miller and John Snow
Name OriginSher(man) + (Wood)row
Best KnownS-7100 receiver series
PositioningEntry to mid-level
Current StatusOwned by Inkel Corporation

Legendary Products

Sherwood S-7100 (1970s)

Sherwood's most successful receiver. The S-7100 delivered 25 watts per channel with solid build quality and reliability at an affordable price. It introduced many consumers to quality audio.

Sherwood S-7200 (1970s)

An updated version of the S-7100 with more power (35WPC) and improved features. The S-7200 maintained the same value proposition while offering more capability.

Sherwood S-5500 (1960s)

A tube receiver from Sherwood's earlier era, offering classic tube sound at an accessible price point.

Sherwood S-8000 (1970s)

A higher-end receiver offering 50 watts per channel and more comprehensive features for those wanting more performance.

Classic Models Reference

ModelEraTypePowerKey Features
S-55001960sReceiver20WPCTube era
S-71001970sReceiver25WPCClassic model
S-72001970sReceiver35WPCUpdated 7100
S-72501970sReceiver45WPCHigher power
S-80001970sReceiver50WPCUpper range
S-81001970sReceiver60WPCHigher range
S-90001970sReceiver80WPCFlagship
S-27301970sCassette-Cassette deck
S-26501970sTuner-FM tuner

Sound Signature

Sherwood equipment is characterized by:

Collecting Sherwood

Vintage Sherwood gear is valued for:

Most collectible models:

Restoration Tips

Common Sherwood service items:

Competitors & Comparisons

Sherwood vs Pioneer: Pioneer higher quality; Sherwood more affordable

Sherwood vs Realistic: Similar positioning

Sherwood vs Major brands: Entry-level alternative

All Models in Archive (95)

AD-2601978
AD-266R1978
AD-52501978
AI-11101978
AI-22101979
AI-70101975
AX-3030R1982
AX-5010R1978
AX-5015R1978
AX-5030R1980
AX-5090R1978
AX-51031978
AX-55051978
AX-7030R1979
AX-7R1978
AX-9030R1980
AX-9035R1982
HP-10001978
HP-20001978
MASTER-MODEL-84231976
RA-11401978
RA-1145R1976
RA-1240R1975
RX-10101978
RX-20101975
RX-2030R1978
RX-4010R1978
RX-4030R1975
RX-41031976
RX-41051975
RX-41091976
RX-42081976
RX-45031978
RX-45081978
RX-55021978
RX-7331975
RX-7721977
RX-7731975
S-10001975
S-1000II1978
S-22001978
S-30001975
S-3000II1975
S-44001975
S-5000II1978
S-55001979
S-70001977
S-70101975
S-7010A1976
S-7100A1975
S-71101978
S-7110A1978
S-7110B1979
S-71251975
S-7125A1975
S-72001975
S-72101978
S-7210A1979
S-72251975
S-7225A1975
S-7250CP1979
S-73001978
S-73101978
S-75001979
S-7600A1979
S-77001978
S-78001978
S-7800A1978
S-79001978
S-7900A1979
S-79101979
S-80001978
S-8000III1978
S-8000IV1979
S-8300CP1978
S-85001978
S-86001978
S-8600A1978
S-88001978
S-8800A1978
S-89001978
S-8900A1978
S-89101979
S-90001979
S-9200CP1982
S-94001977
S-95001979
S-9500B1978
S-99001977
S-99101978
SEL-2001978
SEL-4001978
T-8001978
T-9001978
TD-1401978
Models

Receivers

Amplifiers

Cassette Decks

Equalizers

Receivers

Speakers

Tuners

Turntables

VINTAGE TECHNOLOGY ARCHIVE / 03-16-2026 / FEEDBACK