About the Company
Körting Radio Werke GmbH was a German consumer electronics manufacturer based in Grassau, Chiemgau, Germany. Its roots trace back to an electrical engineering and lighting company founded in 1889, and the firm began building radio receivers under the Körting name in 1932. The company grew to be one of Germany’s larger radio makers and later expanded into television sets and audio products. From 1954 until about 1978, Körting was a key supplier for the Neckermann mail‑order firm, enabling broad distribution of its products — including radios, TVs, and tape machines — to consumers.
Reel‑to‑Reel Tape Recorder Production
Era of Production
Körting manufactured reel‑to‑reel tape recorders in the early to mid‑1960s, focusing on consumer‑oriented audio equipment during the format’s heyday before compact cassette dominance. The documented tape recorder production period spans roughly 1961–1964, during which Körting machines were made in West Germany and sold domestically and to export markets.
Types & Technology
Electronics: Körting’s tape recorders used tube (valve) and early transistor hybrid circuits, typical of consumer machines of that era — offering robustness for home use though not high‑end audiophile performance.
Configurations: Both mono and stereo units were produced, generally with 2‑track and 4‑track formats.
Tape Speeds & Reels: Machines typically supported standard speeds such as 9.5 cm/s and 19 cm/s, and accommodated reels up to ~18 cm (7″).
Representative Körting Models
Below are examples of known Körting reel‑to‑reel models that illustrate the evolution and variety of their machines:
Early Portable/Mono Units (Late 1950s–Early 1960s)
Körting MK 101 — A half‑track mono recorder made around 1957, with a single speed (~9.5 cm/s) and robust desktop form.
Körting MK 102 / MK 127 — Early suitcase/portable style tape recorders supporting multiple speeds (e.g., 4.75 and 9.5 cm/s) and including power amplifiers for playback through loudspeakers.
These early models were designed as practical consumer units with modest audio fidelity and built‑in amplification, often used for home recording or playback.
Stereo and Higher‑Feature Models (Early to Mid‑1960s)
Körting MT 118 (1963) — A quarter‑track stereo recorder with three heads and speeds of 9.5 and 19 cm/s, suitable for improved stereo recording/playback performance.
Körting MT 3623 & MT 3624 (1964) — Larger quarter‑track stereo tape recorders with multiple inputs/outputs, monitoring, echo/reverberation control, and expanded speed options (e.g., 4.75, 9.5, and 19 cm/s). The MT 3624 was marketed in the USA as the TR‑4000.
These models show Körting’s move toward hi‑fi capable home machines, competitive with other German consumer brands of the time.
Market Position & Distribution
Consumer Market Focus: Körting’s tape recorders were aimed at everyday home users, not the professional studio or broadcast segment — similar to other European manufacturers like Uher or Grundig during that era.
Distribution via Neckermann: A major factor in Körting’s reach was its longstanding supplier relationship with the Neckermann mail‑order company, which marketed a wide range of Körting electronics including tape recorders. This partnership helped the brand achieve affordable pricing and broad retail access in Germany and neighboring markets.
Export Versions: Some Körting tape recorders were rebadged or slightly modified for export markets, notably with different voltage configurations and model names like the TR‑4000 in the USA.
Decline of Tape Recorder Production
By the late 1960s and into the 1970s, the rise of compact cassette recorders and hi‑fi cassette decks eroded the market for consumer open‑reel tape machines. Körting seems to have ceased reel‑to‑reel production after about 1964, shifting its consumer audio focus along with broader changes in the industry.
The company itself faced financial challenges in the 1970s — eventually entering insolvency in 1978 and being taken over by Yugoslav firm Gorenje, with the Körting brand later used on other consumer products.
Legacy
German Hi‑Fi History: Körting’s tape recorders are part of the mid‑20th‑century German home audio landscape, sitting alongside other European brands that catered to the emerging tape‑recording market.
Collector Interest: Machines like the MT 118 and MT 3624 are now vintage collectibles, valued for their design, build quality, and role in the transition from tubes to transistor‑era consumer audio.