About the Company
Bell Sound Systems — U.S. Reel-to-Reel Tape Deck Maker
Brand: Bell Sound Systems (often branded simply Bell)
Country: United States (Columbus, Ohio)
Founded: 1930s (1933)
Reel-to-Reel Production: ~1949 – 1965
Market: Consumer-oriented tape recorders and hi-fi audio gear
Product Type: Portable and tabletop reel-to-reel tape recorders with tube and later solid-state electronics
Bell Sound Systems was an American audio-electronics brand that produced a range of consumer reel-to-reel tape decks from the late 1940s through the mid-1960s. Their machines were typically positioned at the home hi-fi market, not professional or broadcast levels, and reflected the evolving electronics technology of the era.
History & Company Background
1930s: The company was founded by Floyd W. Bell in Columbus, Ohio. Early on it made hi-fi components and other electronics. By the 1940s the firm was building PA systems, amplifiers, tuners, and one of the earliest commercially available reel-to-reel tape recorders.
1950s: Bell reached its peak by offering stereophonic components and space-age hi-fi gear alongside its tape machines. In 1953, Bell Sound was acquired by Thompson Products, Inc., becoming a subsidiary that expanded its product coverage. However, increased competition in the consumer electronics market in the late 1950s eroded its retail presence.
1965: By the mid-1960s, Bell Sound Systems ceased manufacturing reel-to-reel tape decks and hi-fi components as the market started shifting toward transistor radios, cassette formats, and other consumer technologies.
Reel-to-Reel Tape Deck Lineup
Bell’s machines evolved with technology, starting with tube-based units in the late 1940s and moving to solid-state decks in the 1960s:
Early Tube Models (Late 1940s – 1950s)
• Bell RT-65 “Re-Cord-O-fone” (c. 1949–1954)
Early table-top reel recorder with tube electronics, stereo head configuration, internal speaker, and 7½ ips speed.
Typical of early consumer decks with simple controls and modest fidelity.
• Bell RT-65B (c. 1952)
A variant of the RT-65 with similar tube amplification and portable cabinet style, marketed in North America.
• Bell RT-75 (c. 1956–1959)
A three-speed tube deck (1 7/8, 3 3/4, 7 1/2 ips), with full-track mono recording, internal loudspeaker, and rugged transport — a step up from earlier single-speed units.
These early models were typical of the first wave of consumer reel-to-reel machines in the U.S., bridging basic home recording and playback before stereo and solid-state technologies became mainstream.
Solid-State Era (Early 1960s – Mid-1960s)
As transistor technology became widespread, Bell introduced solid-state tape recorders to stay competitive:
• Bell T-218 / 200-Series (c. 1959–1962)
Utilized a robust transport with multiple motors, two speeds (3 3/4 & 7 1/2 ips), and RCA outputs — typical of early solid-state consumer decks.
• Bell T-347 (c. 1962–1966)
A higher-quality consumer deck with three heads, three motors, dual speeds, automatic shut-off, tape lifters, monitoring functions, and twin VU meters.
These later machines showed Bell’s attempt to catch up with stereo playback/recording and hi-fi features that 1960s consumers expected, though they remained in the mid-range market rather than high-end.
Technical & Market Evolution
Tube to Solid-State: Early Bell decks relied on vacuum tubes for amplification, then transitioned to transistors in the 1960s, improving reliability and reducing size.
Features: Later decks gained three-head configurations, multiple motors, A/B monitoring, automatic shut-off, and other convenience features that mirrored broader industry trends.
Target Audience: Bell Sound Systems positioned its reel-to-reel machines for home recording, hi-fi listening, and general consumer use, rather than professional or broadcast markets.
Legacy and Collectibility
Today, Bell tape recorders are rare collector pieces reflecting the early days of consumer magnetic recording technology in the U.S..
They illustrate how post-war electronics companies expanded into reel-to-reel decks as part of the broader hi-fi boom — and how many such companies struggled to maintain market share as technology, formats, and competition evolved in the 1960s.