Bang & Olufsen Beocord Belcanto

The Beocord Belcanto is a compact, portable mono reel‑to‑reel from Bang & Olufsen, introduced around 1962 (types 608 and 609), notable for its suitcase form factor and integrated amplifier/speaker rather than studio‑grade performance.

Basic format and transport

• Tape format: ¼‑inch tape, mono record/playback (single‑channel domestic machine rather than stereo). Exact track format is not fully specified in the public summaries, but period B&O portables in this class typically used 2‑track mono.​

• Speed: 9.5 cm/s (3¾ ips) only, aimed at speech and casual music recording rather than wide‑band, high‑speed work.​

• Heads: Two heads – one record/playback head and one erase head, with a push‑pull erase generator to improve erasure efficiency.​

• Transport: Conventional capstan/pinch‑roller transport with reels mounted externally; designed to be used as a small “travel” recorder rather than a heavy desktop deck.

Electronics and amplification

• Amplifier: Built‑in push‑pull audio power amplifier to drive the internal loudspeaker, so it operates as a self‑contained tape recorder/radio‑style unit.​

• Inputs: Separate inputs for microphone, radio and gramophone (phono), allowing it to serve both as a recorder and as a small amplifier for external sources.​

• Outputs: Designed primarily around its internal speaker; period marketing emphasises it as a combined recorder/playback machine rather than a tape transport feeding a hi‑fi system.

Physical design

• Size and concept: Described as a “travel” reel‑to‑reel; folded dimensions about 38 × 25 × 20–21 cm, with an attaché‑case style enclosure and handle.

• Design: Created by Ib Fabiansen, the Belcanto won an iF Design Award in 1962, reflecting B&O’s focus on industrial design and domestic usability rather than studio utility.

• Variants: Type numbers 608 and 609 cover colour/market variants of the same basic machine.​

Use case and performance character

• Intended use: Home and travel recorder for speech, family events and light music; single speed and mono operation make it more a design object and historical piece than a high‑fidelity mastering deck.

• Sonic expectations: With 9.5 cm/s, two‑head configuration and integrated speaker, expect modest bandwidth and more audible noise compared with later stereo Beocords; its appeal today is largely aesthetic, collectible and historic rather than purely technical.