![]() To distinguish the difference in these versions, I have added the "A," "AB," and "B" to the Royal 500 models, even though Zenith never used such a suffix until the "D," "E," and "H" models. Zenith produced several versions of the Royal 500. As an aid to identification, the author has designated it as "500 AB." Production of about 5,000 units of this version with redesigned knobs began in late 1956. We can trace Zenith's ride through the storm of cheap imports by examining the Royal 500 lineage.įigure 3. Look through a Bunis transistor radio guide to understand how remarkable that is. Zenith didn't make a radio under $30 until 1960 with the Royal 50, its first shirt-pocket model. manufacturers were quitting the business or quickly cutting prices and quality. Zenith essentially ignored the price competition from Japan during a period when other U.S. All of these added to the quality of the product. It was produced from November 1955 to October 1956.ĭuring the first three years, Zenith really split from the other makers by introducing even more expensive radios - the 800 at $89.50, the 750 at $79.95, the 950 at $150 - as well as vernier tuning, IF amps, and other extra circuits, and special speakers. This radio was the first in a series of Royal 500 pocket-sized transistorized radios using hand-wired circuitry. The beautiful styling and the glossy nylon cabinet of this $75 set spoke of the quality within.įigure 1. The power, tone and fidelity of this coat-pocket, purse-sized radio beat anything of its size, and the sensitivity and selectivity were better than even the larger tube portables. Several factors made the Zenith 500 the star of the show, then and today. ![]() The other American players soon followed in 1956 - Motorola, Magnavox, Westinghouse and Sylvania. Not until late November 1955 did Zenith introduce its first, the Royal 500, shown in Figure 1. The Raytheon 8TP-1 came next in early 1955, followed by RCA, Philco, G.E. The Regency TR-1 was the first transistor radio, appearing in December 1954, six years after the transistor was invented and about two years after the wide acceptance of solid-state hearing aids. Why do so many of us collect Zenith transistor radios? They weren't the first transistor radio or even the second or third. Pocket-sized transistorized radios were produced in great quantities by countless manufacturers, but Zenith's Royal 500 models seem to be the standout radios. ![]() Of Old Radios And Related Items-Published Monthly With The Collectors Zenith Royal 500 RadioĪ.R.C.-The National Publication For Buyers And Sellers
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