About the Company
Siemens Norge refers to tape recorder models marketed in Norway under the Siemens name in the early 1960s (distinct from the larger German parent’s broader electronics business). These decks were typically solid‑state portable/home machines produced and sold in Scandinavia rather than mass‑market international products.
Brand: Siemens Norge
Country of Manufacture: Norway (marketed and distributed in Norway; actual components may have been sourced/OEM from broader Siemens supply chains)
Production Era: circa 1963 – 1966
Market: Consumer / home audio
Technology: Solid‑state transistorized electronics (rather than vacuum tubes)
Track Format: ¼‑track stereo/mono formats (models were full‑track‑mono or stereo capable)
Tape Speeds: 1 7/8, 3 ¾, 7 ½ ips — standard consumer and hi‑fi speeds of the time
Typical Features: Multi‑speed transport, 3‑head decks (erase, record/playback and playback), built‑in speaker(s), and optional cabinet versions.
The existence of a Siemens Norge Model 10 and sibling models (e.g., Model 12, Model 14) from this period confirms that Siemens Norge positioned these machines firmly in the early 1960s portable/home tape recorder category.
Historical Context
1960s Domestic Audio Expansion
In the early 1960s, magnetic tape recording was an established consumer format in much of Europe, with many electronics companies producing portable and home reel‑to‑reel decks. Visitations to Scandinavia and Norway showed a localized use of the Siemens brand on tape recorders that appealed to home users seeking transistorized machines at multiple speeds.
While Siemens Norge reels were a regional branding phenomenon, they were part of a broader trend in which major electronics companies or their local subsidiaries distributed transistorized tape recorders to meet growing consumer demand for affordable recording/playback decks.
Key Model — Siemens Norge Model 10
Overview
Category: Portable home reel‑to‑reel tape recorder
Electronics: Solid‑state (transistor)
Track Format: ¼‑track (mono or stereo capable depending on model variations)
Reel Size: 7″ maximum
Tape Speeds: 1 7/8, 3 ¾, 7 ½ ips — offering versatility between extended recording time and higher fidelity
Head Count: 3 heads (erase + record + playback) for improved editing and monitoring capabilities
Features: Built‑in speaker, sound‑on‑sound/track functions, and variations in cabinetry/speaker configuration across Models 10, 12, 14
Use Case: Home recording of radio, music, and voice; portable hi‑fi playback
The Model 10 was just one example in a small series — the Model 12 typically added dual internal speakers, while the Model 14 was a version without case or handle for built‑in installation in larger audio cabinets.
Technical & Market Positioning
Solid‑State Consumer Technology
By the early 1960s, solid‑state (transistorized) designs were replacing earlier valve (tube) technologies in consumer audio gear. Devices like the Siemens Norge series adopted transistors for lower power consumption, smaller size, and greater reliability — typical features in portable reel‑to‑reel units of that era.
Feature Set for Home Use
Multiple speeds: Allowed users to choose between longer recording time or better high‑frequency response.
Built‑in amplification and speaker(s): Made them standalone entertainment devices.
Track configuration: Most consumer units used ¼‑track stereo or mono format that was compatible with widely available tape stock.
Legacy & Rarity
Short‑lived presence: The Siemens Norge reel‑to‑reel lineup appears documented chiefly from ~1963 to ~1966, after which the cassette format and imported Japanese decks became dominant.
Regional branding: Unlike international consumer giants (e.g., Philips, Grundig, Sony), Siemens Norge is mainly known through local Norwegian listings and collector references.
Collector interest: These decks are now rare vintage pieces, representing a Scandinavian take on the portable reel‑to‑reel trend of the 1960s and an example of how major brands were adapted to local markets.