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HMV

UK

About the Company

HMV (His Master’s Voice) is a historic British brand originating from the Gramophone Company, founded in 1898, which later merged into EMI (Electric and Musical Industries).

  • Country: United Kingdom

  • Founded: 1898 (as Gramophone Company)

  • Parent Company: EMI from 1931 onward

  • Core Products: Gramophones, radios, hi-fi equipment, and later tape recorders

  • Market Reach: UK and international; strong consumer electronics presence from the 1920s–1970s

HMV became a recognizable British consumer audio brand. Its famous logo featured the dog listening to the gramophone (“His Master’s Voice”).



Reel-to-Reel Production Timeline


1950s – Introduction of Tape Technology

  • HMV, under EMI’s guidance, entered the magnetic tape market as tape recorders gained popularity in post-war Britain.

  • Early machines were imported or license-built from continental Europe (mainly German designs), adapted for UK consumer use.

  • These initial reel-to-reel decks were tube-based, mono, and sold as domestic hi-fi products.


1960s – Consumer Tape Deck Expansion

  • HMV developed a small line of domestic reel-to-reel tape recorders for home use:
    Mono and stereo units, often 2-track
    Tape speeds:     3¾ and 7½ ips
    Tube-based electronics, gradually moving to transistor circuits in late 1960s

  • Some models were built by EMI-associated manufacturing plants in the UK or under license from German OEMs, such as Grundig or Lorenz, rebranded as HMV.

  • Example consumer models (c. 1960s):
    HMV 207: Mono domestic deck
    HMV 310 / 320: Stereo decks, solid-state electronics starting late 1960s


1970s – Solid-State Stereo and Hi-Fi Integration

  • HMV began producing solid-state tape decks, integrated into hi-fi stereo systems:
    Improved sound quality and lower maintenance compared to tubes
    Stereo recording/playback with VU meters and multiple heads
    Speed selection:     3¾, 7½ ips, sometimes 15 ips on higher-end units

  • These decks were mainly consumer-oriented, positioned as affordable hi-fi tape decks for the British home market.


1980s – Decline of HMV Tape Decks

  • With the rise of compact cassette decks and imported Japanese brands (Sony, Akai, Teac), HMV’s domestic reel-to-reel production largely ceased.

  • By mid-1980s, HMV branded decks were rare, mostly rebranded OEM imports, as EMI shifted focus to other hi-fi and audio distribution products.


Typical Features of HMV Reel-to-Reel Decks

  • Electronics: Tube-based (1950s–1960s), solid-state (late 1960s–1970s)

  • Tape Speeds: 3¾, 7½ ips (sometimes 15 ips for high-end models)

  • Tracks: 2-track mono/stereo or 4-track quarter-track

  • Special Features:
    Multiple heads (record/playback/erase) on higher-end decks
    VU meters for level monitoring
    Built-in amplifiers in some models

  • Market Focus: Domestic hi-fi and home recording, not professional studio equipment


Market Context

  • HMV decks were mainly British domestic products, competing against imports from Grundig, Uher, Philips, and Japanese brands.

  • Limited production scale and reliance on OEM components meant HMV never became a major reel-to-reel innovator, but they were well-regarded for reliability and British design.

  • Collector interest today focuses on 1950s–1970s British HMV hi-fi decks with intact VU meters and solid cabinets.

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