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- 1951 Roberts RMB, Bluetooth speaker
1951 Roberts RMB, Bluetooth speaker
Beautiful 1950s Roberts RMB radio in vibrant red. Lovely wooden case with all original knobs and buttons. These were the raw models for our portable radios - just a bit more solid and durable than radios nowadays. This was a lucky find and I am glad that I was able to convert it. Given the age it is in very good shape and with plenty more life left. AM radio stations are almost gone and even FM radio stations becoming replaced with streaming services. So to bring this one back to life, I decided to convert it into a bluetooth speaker.
You can hear it play on youtube:
What I have done:
I transformed this 1950s RMB into a very powerful bluetooth speaker. I replaced the tube amplifier with a modern Class D amplifier. For the sound, I designed and manufactured a wooden speaker cabinet to fit into the radio and housing a 30WRMS/160W full range speaker. The result is very impressive with clear highs and powerful bass. A real feast for Eyes and Ears!
Specification
Dimensions (WHD): 32 cm x 26 cm x 17cm
Weight: 5kG
Voltage: 12V powered with external power supply (included) and works in any country.
When Harry Roberts founded the Roberts Radio Company in 1932, Leslie Bidmead sold his motorbike to pay for their small factory. Initially, production was modest but their expertise and a loyal and skilled workforce quickly established them a reputation for high quality products. In 1944, H.R.H. Princess Elizabeth was featured in the film, ‘Heir to the Throne’, where she can be seen switching on her Roberts portable radio. (Source: https://www.robertsradio.com/uk/news/history-roberts-–-our-timeline-events)