About the Company
Minivox (often referenced with Challen as Minivox (Challen)) was a British brand of consumer-oriented magnetic tape recorders introduced in the late 1950s and early 1960s. These units were not major mass-market hi-fi reel-to-reel machines like those from Revox or Akai, but rather compact portable recorders — among the earliest transistorised designs marketed in the UK.
Country of Manufacture: United Kingdom
Active Period: 1959–1962 (production documented at least in this window)
Market: Consumer portable recording (voice, daily use)
Electronics: Tube-based early models with transitions toward transistorised designs in later variants
The brand is closely associated with Richard (Dickie) Stroud and Charles “Chas” Challen of the Challen Instrument Company (known primarily for scientific instruments like microscopes). The partnership produced tape recorder hardware under the Minivox name for the burgeoning portable audio market.
Minivox Reel-to-Reel Production History
1959 – First Products
The earliest Minivox reel-to-reel tape recorders (such as the Minivox Model 2) appeared around 1959 and were tube-based portable machines. These used small reel formats (often 3″ or similar compact reels) and targeted everyday recording needs (dictation, personal audio) rather than professional music recording.
Minivox Model 2 (c. 1959–1960)
Track Format: Full-track mono
Electronics: Tube amplifier and audio circuitry
Tape Speed: Typically around 1 7/8 ips (a standard speed for portable recorders focused on speech).
Built as a single-head, single-speed recorder with simple mechanical transport and a permanent magnet erase head.
Early 1960s — Improved & Transistorised Versions
Around 1960–1962, an improved Minivox “Type C” or similar model appeared with higher output and larger casing. There’s evidence this version included a transistorised amplifier stage (e.g., a seven-transistor circuit touted for better efficiency and being battery-portable with mains-style performance).
These later designs emphasized portable quality sound reproduction with multiple motors for stable tape handling and mixing/overdub features aimed at flexible personal use.
However, production involvement of Challen’s instrument division ended around 1962, with the company ceasing tape recorder manufacture under this brand at that time.
Technology & Features
Design Philosophy
Minivox machines were compact, portable reel-to-reel recorders intended for general consumers — straddling the space between early tube-based domestic decks and later solid-state portables. They were built at a time when transistorisation of audio gear was just beginning.
Mechanical & Electrical Highlights
Small reel size — around 3″ spools, suitable for portable recording rather than extended hi-fi sessions.
Tube electronics in early models; later units incorporated transistor amplifiers.
Battery and mains operation — physical portability was a selling point.
Portable transports with multiple motors and simple control sets.
Use Cases
Voice recording (dictation, interviews)
Personal music/tape capture
Field recording (non-professional)
Their mechanical simplicity and focus on small spools meant frequency response and fidelity were modest, typical of consumer portable tape recorders rather than studio gear.
End of Production & Legacy
By 1962, Minivox’s involvement in tape recorder production — especially under the Challen partnership — ended or diminished significantly, likely due to the challenge of competing with more advanced transistorised designs from larger Japanese and European manufacturers.
Today, Minivox reel-to-reel recorders are vintage collector items known for their early role in British portable tape recorder history rather than for significant market share or lasting technical influence.