About the Company
Hifivox was a brand name used on audio equipment — including reel‑to‑reel tape recorders — that were marketed in France during the 1960s and 1970s. Machines under the Hifivox name were typically solid‑state consumer tape recorders and tableset audio systems rather than high‑end professional studio decks.
These products are listed in vintage tape recorder directories as French‑manufactured (“Country of Manufacture: France”) reel‑to‑reel machines in the consumer electronics market.
Production Timeline
Late 1950s–1960s: Early Audio Products
Before solid‑state consumer tape decks emerged, Hifivox (sometimes tied to Production Barbieri in Paris) sold various audio products including tube‑based tape recorders and radio/hi‑fi units. Examples include models like Dauphin (circa 1960) and Madrigal (circa 1963), which were typical of mid‑century French hi‑fi tablesets and recorder combos.
1970s: Reel‑to‑Reel Consumer Tape Recorders
By about 1970 onwards, Hifivox is documented offering solid‑state reel‑to‑reel tape recorders aimed at the home audio market. These machines were generally:
Solid‑state electronics (transistor circuits).
Stereo 4‑track decks with standard tape speeds for consumer use (e.g., 3¾ ips and 7½ ips).
Designed for portability or integrated audio systems rather than professional use.
Available in both 110–120 V and 220–240 V versions for broader market distribution.
Known Hifivox Reel‑to‑Reel Model
Hifivox MHB13
Brand: Hifivox
Model: MHB13
Category: Reel‑to‑reel tape recorder (consumer)
Electronics: Solid state
Format: 1/4″ tape, stereo quarter‑track (4‑track)
Speeds: 3¾ and 7½ ips
Max Reel Size: ~7″
Heads: 3 (erase/record/playback)
Connections: DIN sockets
Voltage: 110–120 V & 220–240 V versions
Manufacture: France — often noted as Made by Unitra or linked to Barbieri production for the Hifivox label.
This model is the primary documented reel‑to‑reel deck under the Hifivox name. It reflects the mid‑1970s European consumer tape recorder design rather than a long production lineage.
Manufacturing & Branding Notes
According to collector directories, Hifivox recorders were assembled or produced under license in France, often by local manufacturers (e.g., Barbieri in Paris).
In the 1960s and 1970s, several French audio brands distributed consumer electronics that were licensed or OEM‑produced but given unique local branding — Hifivox fits this pattern.
Some Hifivox machines integrated transistor technology, reflecting the industry shift away from tubes in consumer audio by the 1970s.
Market Position & Decline
Market focus: Consumer and home audio — affordable stereo tape decks rather than professional broadcast or studio machines.
Limitation: The brand had a limited documented lineup and is not widely referenced beyond specific vintage equipment archives.
Transition: As consumer tape recorder demand shifted to compact cassette technology and then to cassette hi‑fi decks in the late 1970s and 1980s, brands like Hifivox faded or were absorbed by larger electronics groups (e.g., Thomson), following broader market trends.
Summary — Hifivox Reel‑to‑Reel History
Hifivox (France)
Era: Essentially late 1960s–1970s for reel‑to‑reel decks.
Market segment: Consumer/home audio.
Technology: Solid‑state multiple‑head machines with standard speeds.
Notable model: Hifivox MHB13 — a stereo reel‑to‑reel deck with 3‑head electronics.
Legacy: A modest French brand with a limited reel‑to‑reel presence, now primarily of interest to vintage audio collectors and enthusiasts.