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Vintage 1980 Toshiba CR-3000 Stereo Digital Clock Radio

Jon Nix — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 13:21:06 +0000

Looking rather like a black plastic "Toblerone" packet, this is the Toshiba CR-3000 Stereo Digital Clock Radio, which dates from 1980. No surprises there - the glossy black finish, minimalism, and angular shapes are typical of that cross-over from space-age design to the 1980s. In many respects it's a fairly standard electronic clock radio, aside from the design, but there are some interesting features which set it apart too. First of all, that long design means that the stereo speakers do indeed have some spread to them and, what's more, two inputs on the left-hand side of the unit allows for further speakers to be added to enhance the sound. All of the controls are very neatly located on the top edge of the unit in a slightly recessed groover or are to the rear on the sloping surface, which means the front it gloriously uncluttered - just the two speakers and the clock and tuner displays. If you're a fan of sleek and stylish design then it ticks all the boxes.

This unit is in very good condition overall. There are, as to be expected, signs of use - notably some marks to the rear and superficial scratches to the high-gloss front, but otherwise the plastics are in very good condition, no chips or cracks. As a bonus, the original box and instructions are present, albeit the former has more obvious signs of age and wear.

The unit measures approximately 42cm long with a height of 5cm and a depth of 6cm (16.5 in., 2 in. and 2½ in. respectively).

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Vintage 1980s Grundig ESC20 Digital Clock Radio with multiple alarms and calendar

Jon Nix — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 12:27:53 +0000

Graphite Grey? Check.
Plastic? Check.
Red LED Display? Check.
Weird Shape? Check.
1980s? Most definitely.

This Grundig ESC20 digital clock radio has all the hallmarks of its time and a few tricks too. Not only a standard digital alarm clock radio with all the features you might expect, but also multiple alarms (alarm 1, alarm 2, and both alarm 1 and alarm 2), a calendar function. It's also unusual in that the current alarm is displayed for convenience - no need to guess or press anything to find out when it's going to go off next. Aside from that, the design is pure 80s - a big and clear red LED display housed inside a triangular wedge of a body which is a dark graphite grey colour with a subtle metallic finish. The tuning and volume knobs are prominent on one side and there is a ribbed effect to the plastic on this side and similarly on the opposite side and around the back of the casing.

The unit uses a PP3 battery as a clock back up and this is housed in a compartment to the rear underneath. The battery compartment cover is missing on this particular unit, but it doesn't affect it. Also missing is an instruction manual but it's easy to figure out. A sliding mode selector is on the front of the unit and that determines the functions of the buttons on the extreme left of the main panel display. Alarm selection is also managed on the front of the unit. On the left hand side of the unit is a small sliding selector for display brightness. On the right hand side of the unit are the previously mentioned tuning and volume adjustment knobs and below them a switch for the radio band (FM or MW)

In very good condition and fully functional. There is some minor surface grazing to the top of the unit where the snooze button resides. The unit measures approximately 19 cm (7½ in.) across the front, with a height and depth of approximately 11.5 cm (4½ in.) and 14.5 cm (6 in.) respectively.

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1970s Brown and Orange PYE 1570 Four Band Portable Transistor Radio

Jon Nix — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 20:58:15 +0000

A very striking looking portable radio made by PYE with a combination of dark brown casing, silver tone grille and orange detailing. It's a veritable hunk of 70s style in plastic and it sounds great - a very loud and robust sound indeed. In fact, the whole unit is exactly that: robust. Powered either by AC adaptor or batteries, the radio provides four bands (FM/SW/MW/LW), a very good aerial, tone and volume knobs, and an earphone socket to the rear. But it's all about the looks and the sound with this radio, and it delivers on both counts, we think.

In very good cosmetic condition with no chips or cracks to the plastics, just the odd superficial mark or surface graze here and there. Considering this was most likely used in a workplace or even in a garden shed, it's fared very well indeed! There's the odd crackle from the knobs when they are being adjusted, but that's to be expected from an item of this age. It measures approximately 30cm (12 in.) in width, 23cm (9 in.) in height with the handle upright, and has a depth of 7.5cm (3 in.).

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1980s Pink Sony Cube Clock Radio Melody Alarm ICF-A10L

Jon Nix — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 10:28:59 +0000

Another slice - or rather cube - of typical 1980s design, this is the Sony ICF-10AL clock radio alarm which features an analogue quartz clock alongside the three-band radio. The cube design with pale pink body and grey and white accents is classic eighties, whilst it doesn't lack some clever functionality. One example of this is that the alarm time is set via the rotating outer bezel which moves an internal indicator around the face into the desired position. The radio operates independently of the clock and boasts FM/AM and MW options and a decent sound, and it can be set as the source for the alarm. The "buzzer" on this model is, in fact, a melody - the clock will play a passable section of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons". A sleep function and dial illumination are also available via buttons on the top of the unit.

In good condition considering its age and use, the Sony ICF-10AL has a little discolouration to the rear and to the two pink buttons on the top of the unit from light exposure but otherwise it's in good shape with no chips or cracks. It is fully functional and takes 3 x "AA" batteries or can be powered by a 3V AC adaptor. It measure 11 cm square x 8 cm deep (4 1/2 in. and 2 1/4 in. respectively)

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1980s Saisho PM51P Portable Component System Boombox PM 51P

Jon Nix — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 13:04:01 +0000

A hefty slice of 1980s nostalgia in the shape of the Saisho PM 51P which is a "portable component system" with detachable speakers, cassette tape deck, AM/FM radio, micropohone input, external input, carrying handle and lots of glossy black plastic with red and white highlights. A perfect complement for that 80s bedroom decor!

In working condition (though a little bit crackly through the speakers when the volume is altered) and good cosmetically too. There are, of course, some minor superficial signs of age and use, and the speaker grilles have suffered the odd dent or two over the years, but it's generally in good visual shape with no controls missing and no chips or cracks to the body. The unit (without speakers detached and handle down) measures approximately 52cm (width) by 14cm (depth) by 22cm (height) (20½ in. by 5½ in. by 8½ in.). Each speaker is approximately 13cm wide and 13cm deep (5 in.).

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