HMV 156 vs. Victor Consolette

[syncopeter]

Most modes of the Improved series are actually quite good, from the humble 101 portable to the full size 192. And as mentioned before they are quite kind to acoustic recordings. The larger models have decent horns and produce an acceptable bass too. Even the oddball in the range, the model 32 horn gramophone, is quite good. I've heard a model 162 with different soundboxes, but none was as good as the no. 4.

[AZ*]

I own a couple of the larger 1925-27 floor model HMVs equipped with the #4 soundbox. With a properly restored soundbox including soft gaskets, they can produce a great sound on both acoustic and electric recordings. Bass is quite acceptable, especially when you consider the mica diaphragm.

[syncopeter]

I've always liked the sound of machines with the no. 4. They are mellower and not so loud as the later ones. A table model with a 2-spring motor and 12 inch platter can easily hold its own against the best cabinet models of most other brands. They are still relatively easy to find and you buy one in very good condition for under 200 euro.

[gramophoneshane]

Most modes of the Improved series are actually quite good, from the humble 101 portable to the full size 192. And as mentioned before they are quite kind to acoustic recordings. The larger models have decent horns and produce an acceptable bass too. Even the oddball in the range, the model 32 horn gramophone, is quite good. I've heard a model 162 with different soundboxes, but none was as good as the no. 4.

I was a little surprized by the lower volume of my 162, considering the size of the horn, and the volume of other machines I have with a No.4 soundbox.
I now use a Columbia No.9 on my 162, which has actually improved both sound quality & volume.
The only mica diaphragm soundbox I've found, that would increase the volume of the 162 without sacrificing sound quality, is one made by Paillard which is basically a copy of the No.4 but with a diaphragm that's ⅛" larger. The Paillard box is just a little too loud on other no.4 machines I have like the 109 & 101 etc.

[Steve]

I have a 162 and it is really quite poor from a sound reproduction point of view with low volume, compressed dynamics and poor bass - if it wasn't for being a rare Chinoiserie lacquer version I'd happily part with it. From my point of view most of the non portable models from HMV with No.4 soundboxes are quite disappointing. Only the 511 (an accidentally successful conversion of the redundant 510 Lumiere models) really sounds much good - in fact I'd go further and say it is THE best sounding HMV machine on t'other side of the 1927 re-entrant models.

However, when tested against even the humble 163 re-entrant, it simply flounders. The No. 5/5a soundbox model re-entrants are all much better, perhaps unsurprisingly.

BUT, if you have enough room to indulge your collecting habits and want a really nice machine with No. 4 soundbox (from HMV) I'd heartily recommend the elegant and understated 511 model.