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

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.

Sound Signature

Sherwood receivers have a warm, smooth character that makes them genuinely pleasant to listen to, especially the tube-era models like the S-5500. Those early Sherwoods deliver a midrange richness that punches well above their price point — vocals have body, acoustic instruments have presence, and the overall presentation invites long listening sessions without fatigue. The tube models in particular have a sweetness in the upper registers that transistor designs rarely replicate.

The solid-state era brought a shift toward a cleaner, more neutral presentation. The S-7100 and S-7200 won't dazzle you with the last word in resolution or bass slam, but they get the fundamentals right: decent imaging, reasonable tonal balance, and enough power to fill a modest room. The FM tuner sections were surprisingly capable for the price, pulling in stations with respectable sensitivity. What Sherwood consistently delivered was an honest, musical sound that made the jump from a department-store stereo to real hi-fi feel revelatory.

Collecting Sherwood

Sherwood is one of the most accessible entry points into vintage audio collecting. The S-7100 and S-7200 regularly appear for $75 to $200, making them ideal starter pieces — attractive silver-face styling, satisfying tuning dials, and enough performance to enjoy daily. The real prizes in the Sherwood catalog are the 1960s tube receivers, particularly the S-5500 and the rare S-9000 flagship. Clean tube-era Sherwoods can reach $400 to $800 and represent genuine value compared to similarly aged Fisher or Scott units.

The S-8000 sits in an appealing middle ground — more capable than the entry receivers, still reasonably priced, and a satisfying listen. When shopping, pay attention to the condition of the tuning mechanism and the controls. Sherwood's straightforward circuit designs mean that a well-maintained example will keep running for years, and servicing is within reach of hobbyist-level repair skills.

Competitors & Comparisons

Sherwood vs Pioneer: Pioneer higher quality; Sherwood more affordable

Sherwood vs Realistic: Similar positioning

Sherwood vs Major brands: Entry-level alternative

Amplifiers

• 5000-II — Sherwood 5000-II — a little-documented 80-watt stereo amplifier advertised at $199.50 in early-1960s High Fidelity. This page has production dates.
• 7100A — Sherwood 7100A stereo receiver (c. 1972): little-documented, advertised at $199.95, with direct-coupled amp and ceramic FM filters.
• 7900A — Documentation on the Sherwood S-7900A is thin, and what survives is mostly Sherwood's own advertising rather than independent reviews. From those ads
• 8900A — Little-documented FM-only Sherwood 8900A receiver from the early 1970s; praised by Hirsch-Houck Labs and rated a conservative 75W/channel in testing.
• AI-7010 (1975) — A rare and enigmatic Sherwood integrated amplifier from the mid-1970s, the AI-7010 blends minimalist design with warm analog performance.
• AX-5030R (1980) — A rare and versatile Sherwood integrated unit combining tuner, preamp, and tape control functions, popular in late 1970s–early 1980s home audio systems.
• AX-5103 (1978) — A rare and versatile Sherwood integrated amplifier with advanced tone controls and modular design, prized by vintage audio enthusiasts.
• AX-7030R (1979) — A versatile late-1970s Sherwood integrated amplifier with AM/FM tuner and rich, warm analog sound. Find detailed specs and production dates here.
• HP-1000 (1978) — A high-impedance dynamic stereo headphone amplifier from the late 1970s, designed to drive demanding headphones with precision and clarity.
• RA-1140 (1978) — A versatile late-1970s Sherwood integrated amplifier with solid performance and classic analog charm. Covers detailed specs and production dates.
• RA-1240R (1975) — A mid-tier integrated amplifier from the golden era of analog audio, the Sherwood RA-1240R delivers solid performance with classic design and reliable build.
• RX-2010 (1975) — A mid-tier integrated amplifier from the golden era of vintage audio, offering solid performance and classic design. With detailed specs and production dates.
• RX-4030R (1975) — A solid-state integrated amplifier from Sherwood's mid-1970s lineup, known for reliable performance and warm analog sound.
• RX-4105 (1975) — Sherwood RX-4105 two-channel stereo receiver, 100–105 WPC into 8 ohms, 30 presets, remote. Model-number identity conflict documented; no production years confirmed.
• RX-4109 (1976) — Sherwood RX-4109B (2009–2014) AM/FM receiver with 100W/channel, RDS, phono input. Sold at Radio Shack. Covers recent sold prices and the complete spec table.
• RX-4208 (1976) — A mid-tier integrated amplifier from the golden era of analog audio, offering solid performance and classic design. Find full specifications here.
• RX-4503 (1978) — A late-1970s integrated amplifier from Sherwood, known for solid build and warm analog sound. Find detailed specs and production dates here.
• RX-5502 (1978) — A versatile late-1970s integrated amplifier from Sherwood, known for solid performance and thoughtful design. Find full specifications here.
• RX-733 (1975) — A mid-tier integrated amplifier from the golden era of analog audio, offering solid performance and classic design. Includes detailed specs.
• RX-772 (1977) — A mid-tier integrated amplifier from Sherwood's 1970s lineup, known for solid performance and clean styling. Covers the complete spec table.
• S-3000II (1975) — A high-end preamplifier from the golden era of analog audio, the Sherwood S-3000II delivers refined signal control and warm tube-like tonality with solid-state precision.
• S-5500 (c. 1961) — Sherwood S-5500 (c. 1961) — a 60-watt Chicago-built tube stereo amplifier, 25 W/ch music power, $159.50 new. Fifteen controls, 12 dB/octave filters on all inputs.
• S-7100A (1975) — Little-documented Sherwood S-7100A stereo receiver from 1972. Known from period ads: $199.95 including walnut case, ceramic filters, improved FM selectivity.
• S-7210 (1978) — Sherwood S-7210 mid-1970s stereo receiver; advertised at $299.95 with 31+31 W/ch and 0.8% THD; little else documented, but the original service manual survives.
• S-7300 (1978) — Sherwood S-7300 AM/FM stereo receiver (1971-1972): 42+42W RMS, 1.8µV FM sensitivity, $319.95 w/ cabinet. Little documentation survives.
• S-7800 (1967–1968) — Sherwood S-7800 (1967–68) all-silicon AM/stereo FM receiver with integrated amplifier, 140W music power at 4 ohms, reviewed by High Fidelity in March 1968.
• S-7800A (1978) — A rare and distinctive Sherwood preamplifier from the late 1970s, known for its clean signal path and modular design. Find full specifications here.
• S-7900 (1978) — A premium Sherwood integrated amplifier from the late 1970s, known for solid build and warm analog sound. This page has detailed specs and production dates.
• S-7910 (1979) — A rare and enigmatic Sherwood solid-state preamplifier from the late. 1970s, the S-7910 is prized for its minimalist design and audiophile-grade signal path.
• S-8500 (1978) — A rare and innovative Sherwood preamplifier from the late 1970s, known for its advanced tone controls and modular design.
• S-8800A (1978) — A high-end vintage preamplifier from Sherwood's golden era, known for clean signal routing and audiophile-grade build quality.
• S-8900A (1978) — A rare and sophisticated integrated audio controller from Sherwood, blending tuner, preamplifier, and system management functions in one elegant unit.

Cassette Decks

• CRD-175 — Documentation on the Sherwood CRD-175 is thin. What we know comes almost entirely from a single new-products listing in HiFI-Stereo (March 1987, p.124)
• CRD-301 — Little-documented 1985 Sherwood car stereo; reviewed in HiFI-Stereo with a full Hirsch-Houck lab test. Find when it was made here.
• CRD-350 — Sherwood CRD-350 car stereo cassette receiver from 1987–1988. Advertised with EQA-280 equalizer; won CES design award. Little other documentation survives.
• S-7310 (1978) — A versatile and well-built 1970s Sherwood tape deck known for solid performance and reliability in home audio systems. This page has when it was made.
• TD-7010R — Sherwood TD-7010R AM/FM tuner with quartz synthesis tuning. Documented only through a single 1991 HiFI-Stereo listing showing specs and $695 price.

Cassette Decks

• TD-140 (1978) — A vintage Sherwood TD-140 tape deck known for solid build and warm analog performance. Covers detailed specs and production dates.

Mixers

• XR-1604 — Little is documented about the Sherwood XR-1604. What the record shows: it was a car stereo receiver with a cassette deck.

Power Amplifiers

• 8000W — Sherwood 8000W (c. 1964): obscure FM stereo tuner/amplifier known from period ads — $329.50, dial calibrated every 200 kHz. Little else documented.

Processors

• EQA-280 — Sherwood EQA-280 4-channel car audio graphic equalizer/amplifier. 20W per channel, paired with CRD-350 receiver. CES most innovative award 1987.
• S-1000II (1978) — A high-end vintage parametric equalizer from the late 1970s, the Sherwood S-1000II offered audiophiles precise tonal control and room correction capabilities.

Receiver

• 5010R — Sherwood 5010R (RV-5010R) — a little-documented early-'90s A/V receiver with Dolby Surround, 30-preset tuner, and 85W/channel, per HiFI-Stereo.

Receivers

• 1160R — Sherwood 1160R — an obscure late-1980s CD player known only from a March 1989 HiFI-Stereo test report (frequency response ±0.2 dB, 85 dB channel separation).
• 2770R — Sherwood 2770R: late-1980s remote-control stereo receiver, $449.95, 74W/ch advertised. HiFI-Stereo test report, mono-stereo synthesis, rear-channel decode.
• 2770RCP — The Sherwood 2770RCP — listed as the S-2770RCP in the period press — was a late-1980s digital-synthesis AM/FM stereo receiver. The record on it is a
• 6010R — Sherwood 6010R, documented in period sources as the RV-6010R audio/video receiver with Dolby Pro Logic. Tested by HiFI-Stereo in July 1992.
• 9080R — The Sherwood Newcastle 9080R (AVP-9080R preamp/tuner and AM-9080 amp) as reviewed in HiFI-Stereo, Oct 1998: 120W x 5, Dolby Digital/DTS.
• RA-1142 — Sherwood RA-1142 AM/FM stereo receiver, 50 WPC with phono input. A little-documented model; very few facts survive. With when it was made.
• RV-1340 — Sherwood RV-1340 receiver, c. 1990–1991. Little documented. Known as a 100W+20W model with 5-band EQ and Dolby, priced $244.
• RV-134OR — Sherwood RV-134OR surround sound receiver/amplifier from 1990, 100 watts per channel, $299. Little documented beyond Stereo Review listing and HiFI-Stereo preview.
• RV-6030R — Sherwood RV-6030R AV receiver (c.1995) Dolby Pro Logic, 105W/ch, $475 original price. Covers production dates. Covers production dates.
• RX-1010 (1978) — A rare and enigmatic Sherwood receiver from the late 1970s, the RX-1010 stands out for its minimalist design and understated performance.
• RX-2030 — Sherwood RX-2030 stereo receiver (1995) – 40W/ch, matrix surround, remote, UK-made. A little-documented mid-1990s model.
• RX-2030R (1978) — A rare and enigmatic Sherwood receiver from the late 1970s, the RX-2030R remains a curiosity among vintage audio enthusiasts.
• RX-4010R (1978) — Sherwood RX-4010R (1978–1993) — 35WPC receiver with digital tuning & matrix surround. Solid mid-tier workhorse. Covers when it was made.
• RX-773 (1975) — A mid-tier 1970s receiver offering solid performance and classic Sherwood build quality. This page has detailed specs and production dates.
• S-2000 (late 1950s) — Sherwood S-2000 tube AM/FM mono tuner, late 1950s, Chicago-built. Under-1µV FM sensitivity claim, Feather-Ray eye, $139.50 net.
• S-2770 — Sherwood S-2770 RCP stereo receiver from circa 1988. Reviewed in Hi-Fi Stereo, rated 70W/ch, FM tuner with presets. Little documented beyond that.
• S-2770RCP — Sherwood S-2770RCP (1987): remote-control AM/FM receiver rated at 70W/ch, lab-tested by HiFI-Stereo at $449.95 with video-oriented surround features.
• S-289RDR — Very little is documented about the Sherwood S-289RDR. What the record shows: it was a double auto-reverse cassette deck — a dual-transport unit capable.
• S-5000 — Sherwood S-5000 vacuum-tube integrated amplifier from Sherwood Electronic Laboratories, built in original and S-5000 II revisions (II c.1960). $189.50 original, $199.50 for the II; 20W/ch cited for th…
• S-6020CP — Sherwood S-6020CP stereo preamplifier from 1980, part of the 6000 Series separates. JFET design with 1Hz-100kHz response and 0.02% THD.
• S-7900A (1979) — A rare and enigmatic Sherwood communications receiver from the late 1970s, the S-7900A stands out for its shortwave capabilities and precision tuning.
• S-9500C — The Sherwood S-9500C is an AM/FM stereo receiver from the early-to-mid 1970s, a period when Sherwood was turning out substantial, feature-laden receivers
• XR-1504 — Sherwood XR-1504 AM/FM auto-reverse cassette receiver, priced at $219 in 1990. Little else is documented about this model.

Speakers

• AD-5250 (1978) — Sherwood AD-5250 (1978) analog audio processor: phono MM input, Dolby B, VU meter, 20Hz-20kHz, under 0.05% THD. Full specifications and collector info.
• AI-2210 (1979) — A compact and functional integrated audio interface unit from Sherwood's late '70s lineup, designed for system integration and signal management.
• MASTER-MODEL-8423 (1976) — A rare and enigmatic Sherwood MASTER-MODEL-8423, believed to be a prototype or limited-run modular audio system component from the mid-1970s.
• S-2300 — Sherwood S-2300: a little-documented audio model. Period fragments describe a tuner with 1.5 dB capture ratio and a $119 amp-speaker setup.
• S-3000 (1959) — Sherwood S-3000 III (1959) — tube FM tuner with multiplex circuitry, 0.95 µV sensitivity, and a Feather-ray tuning eye. Warm, detailed sound; recapping essential. Median eBay value ~$104.
• S-6010CP — Sherwood S-6010CP: AM/FM digital-synthesizer tuner from the 6000 Series separates, reviewed in Audio (April 1983). Little documentation survives.
• S-7225 (1975) — A rare and intriguing Sherwood component from the mid-1970s, the S-7225 remains a mystery to many vintage audio enthusiasts.
• S-7244 — Sherwood S-7244 Stereoquad receiver (1974–75): 50 W/ch stereo, 20 W/ch quad, Full-Logic SQ decoding, $499.95.

Tuners

• 7800-FET — Sherwood 7800-FET solid-state FM stereo receiver, advertised 1967 with 140W music power, all-silicon design. Record is mostly Sherwood's own ads.
• AM-7040 — Sherwood AM-7040 power amplifier, circa 1989. Rated 200 W/ch at 0.008% THD with independent channel transformers. Little else documented.
• AX-5015R (1978) — A rare and enigmatic Sherwood component from the late 1970s, believed to be a specialized tuner or signal processor. Includes full specifications.
• AX-9030R (1980) — A rare and versatile Sherwood solid-state tuner with advanced RF performance and audiophile-grade reception. This page has detailed specs.
• S-7110 (1978) — A premium AM/FM stereo tuner from the late 1970s, the Sherwood S-7110 delivers high-fidelity radio reception with advanced filtering and tuning precision for its era.
• S-7200 (1975) — Sherwood S-7200 stereo receiver: 1973 reviews praised its FM performance and measured a powerful amp (43W/ch, 0.2% THD). Little else is documented.
• S-9910 (1978) — A rare and feature-rich Sherwood integrated control center from the late. 1970s, combining AM/FM tuner, tape monitoring, and system control functions.
• ST-801 — Sherwood ST-801 — little-documented model listed in High Fidelity (1981) as a fully automatic turntable at $240. Nearly nothing else is on record.
• T-800 (1978) — Sherwood T-800 (1978) AM/FM stereo tuner with quartz-locked synthesis, dual-gauge dial, and discrete audio path — a high-performance separate for audiophiles.
• T-900 (1978) — A high-quality AM/FM stereo tuner from the late 1970s, known for solid reception and classic analog design. Covers the complete spec table.

Unknown

• 110CP — Little-documented Sherwood 110CP receiver, circa 1978, known only from a HI-Fi-Stereo-Buyers test report; specs and provenance are uncertain.
• 1710 — Sherwood 1710 — the record shows two machines under one name: a 1960s receiver rated 140W, and a 1980s FM tuner listed at $249.95.
• 32CP — Sherwood S-32CP stereo FM/AM tuner, profiled in Audio's January 1980 equipment review. Little else is documented about this model.
• 7210 — Sherwood 7210 – an obscure mid-1970s amplifier or receiver from Sherwood. Little documentation survives beyond period advertising; known only as a lower-to-mid-power model in the Sherwood lineup.
• 8800 — Sherwood 8800 FM stereo receiver, circa 1966–1968. All-silicon transistor design. Specifications known only from contemporary magazine ads; no service manual or detailed review has survived in the Arc…
• 8800-ALL — Little is documented about the Sherwood 8800-ALL. No manual or review naming the model has surfaced; the archive file contains only 1966 S-7800 ads.
• 9180 — Sherwood 9180 AM/FM receiver, circa 1995. Little documented; period ads suggest an 85W/ch Dolby Pro Logic home theater receiver originally priced at $380.
• 9600 — Sherwood 9600 stereo receiver (circa 1981-1982), 60 watts RMS per channel. Little documented beyond period magazine notices from HiFI-Stereo and High Fidelity.
• CPU-100 — Sherwood Micro/CPU 100 (1977): the first computerized FM tuner, $2,000 new, designed by Larry Schotz. HiFi/Stereo Review called it the best tuner available.
• S-110CP — Little is documented about the Sherwood S-110CP. A July 1978 HI-Fi-Stereo-Buyers test report described a receiver with extensive switching and FM tuner specs.
• S-32CP — Sherwood S-32CP stereo FM/AM tuner, reviewed in Audio (January 1980): 9.84 dBf IHF sensitivity, 1.0 dB capture ratio, 0.075% mono THD. Little else documented.
• SCP-1002 — Sherwood SCP-1002 tri-mode car stereo amplifier, circa 1988. Little documented beyond period ads touting 2/3/4-speaker flexibility.
• SEL-300 — Sherwood SEL-300 digital readout tuner, early 1970s, praised by Audio and High Fidelity with measured 40 dB stereo separation, 2.3 dB capture ratio.

Other Models

• AI 1210R — Sherwood AI 1210R (1990) stereo integrated amplifier: 2x100W, 10Hz–100kHz, 10.5 kg. A solid, no-frills performer with phono input and documented service support.
• AX 4103 — A stereo integrated amplifier made in 1979 with a phono input and Tone Direct function. Find the complete spec table and when it was made here.
• S 7050 — A mid-1970s AM/FM stereo receiver delivering 6 watts per channel, noted for clean sound and solid performance. This page has the complete spec table.
• S 7100 — Sherwood S-7100 (1970–1974) AM/FM receiver: 25WPC solid-state with warm, musical sound. A 30-lb gateway to 1970s hi-fi. Includes production dates.
• S 7250 — An AM/FM stereo receiver from the turn of the 1980s, built for solid performance on a budget. This page has full specifications and production years.
• S 7450CP — A mid-priced AM/FM stereo receiver from Sherwood, introduced in 1979 with 30 watts per channel output. Find the complete spec table and when it was made here.
• S 7600 — A solid-state AM-FM stereo receiver from 1968, notable for its all-silicon transistor design and FET front end. This page has full specifications.
• S 7650CP — A solid-state AM/FM stereo receiver from Sherwood’s late-1970s lineup, offering 45 watts per channel and refined tuning features.
• S 9900A — A solid-state stereo integrated amplifier produced in the late 1960s, rated at 40 watts per channel. Find the complete spec table and when it was made here.
• S-2100 — Sherwood S-2100 FM multiplex/AM stereo tuner, $199.50 in 1962, shared circuitry with the S-8000 receiver and a Stereo Light for instant FM stereo ID.
• S-3000 III — Sherwood S-3000 III mono FM tuner, circa 1960-61, with Corrective inverse feedback and multiplex-adapter readiness. Priced around $105.50-$110.50.
• S-3000 IV — Sherwood S-3000 IV FM-stereo tuner — wideband multiplex, 1.8 µV IHFM sensitivity, $160 in the early 1960s. A pragmatic classic.
• S-3000 V — Sherwood S-3000 V FM stereo tuner — zero-center tuning meter, 1.8 µV IHF sensitivity, 11 tubes, $165 in 1963. A precise, honest classic.
• S-3300 — Sherwood S-3300 FM stereo tuner — Sherwood's first IC-based tuner, 0.15% distortion claim, 1.5–1.8 µV IHF sensitivity, $167.50–$197.50.
• TD130B — Sherwood TD130B: an obscure 1980s FM/AM stereo tuner with no surviving specs, known only from eBay listings and one conflicting parts-directory entry.