RE: Not RCA ! It's a 1926, 32 Ohm Magnepan "Knickerbocker Elite"

Vintage Asylum

Classic gear from yesteryear; vintage audio standing the test of time.

In Reply to: RE: Not RCA ! It's a 1926, 32 Ohm Magnepan "Knickerbocker Elite" posted by Bill F. on April 15, 2010 at 09:32:17:

Bill F,

Yes, if there's an RCA badge it must be RCA- sorry, the "Magnepan" idea is my substitute for humour as I've never seen a speaker with this kind of design. -And, my made-up model name, "Knickerbocker Elite" had a nice jazz age ring to it! and your photo reminded me that some early Magnepans (started about 1970) had wood strips crossing in front of large area of beige burlap-textured grilles cloth, though not as intricately as your speaker. Here's a Magnepan design from 1976:

My first impression was that it appeared quite large and the photo is such a direct-on elevation view I could not see the depth- it might be very shallow like a planar speaker. On my monitor, the photo appeared a bit dark and I didn't realize that's a kitten in the lower left. The "drawer" at the bottom too is a mystery- and that element also gave me the impression it might was quite old- something from the giant floor standing radio era. I have a c. 1935 Columbia wind-up 78 phonograph and there is a drawer for extra "needles". You could choose needles that were different weights of steel and I think bamboo!

I had another crazy thought from the cabinetry style that it might be a 40's-50's speaker cabinet for a tube electronic organ,...

Perhaps there is a builder's plate- with serial number, patent dates, and/or factory location somewhere round the back or bottom that could give clues? Yes, an interesting object and seems well made and finished.

By the way- is there one or multiple drivers within?

Cheers,

Bambi B

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Identify this RCA Victor speaker? - Bill F. 20:28:59 04/14/10 (7)

RE: Identify this RCA Victor speaker? - stevebroughman 16:05:03 05/24/12 (0)

Not RCA ! It's a 1926, 32 Ohm Magnepan "Knickerbocker Elite" - Bambi B 08:45:41 04/15/10 (3)

RE: Not RCA ! It's a 1926, 32 Ohm Magnepan "Knickerbocker Elite" - Bill F. 09:32:17 04/15/10 (2)

RE: Not RCA ! It's a 1926, 32 Ohm Magnepan "Knickerbocker Elite" - Bambi B 04/15/1010:25:29 04/15/10 (1)

RE: Not RCA ! It's a 1926, 32 Ohm Magnepan "Knickerbocker Elite" - Brian Levy 14:37:18 04/16/10 (0)

RE: Identify this RCA Victor speaker? - tom1356 20:40:05 04/14/10 (0)

No, but it looks cool. - bcguitar 20:33:12 04/14/10 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: Not RCA ! It's a 1926, 32 Ohm Magnepan "Knickerbocker Elite" - Bambi B 04/15/1010:25:29 04/15/10 (1)

RE: Not RCA ! It's a 1926, 32 Ohm Magnepan "Knickerbocker Elite" - Brian Levy 14:37:18 04/16/10 (0)

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