The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Well, personally I'll keep an open mind on labelling it a gimmick until I actually hear one for myself since I've heard others (who have heard or owned them) praise them for their added volume & range .

Well, I meant that last remark about the doubled tonearm. The additional diaphragm most probably had an effect, though the high frequency / low frequency idea must be puffery. They probably sound quite good, but I'd be concerned about the additional mass causing record wear.

estott wrote:I can't recall the name but there was a UK firm that made a line of machines using this design. It was a gimmick.

I see. And in the first instance?

Here is an earlier example from a German phonograph trade paper of 1904. The Berlin mechanics Carl Schmidt even described a triple gramophone soundbox in his patent, applied for in 1902. With this assembly, Schmidt sought to reduce distortions caused from loud and/or very high tones.

The double sound box was introduced at the Leipzig spring fair in 1904, subsequently manufactured from Carl Below in Leipzig, Josef Stehle in Stuttgart and Wiesner & Krössel in Berlin, and distributed by Anton Nathan, Berlin.