The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Just wondering what the quality of Zonophone records are like; I know that some of the "off brands" had pretty poor quality, wondering if Zonophone is on of them?

The early U.S. Zonophones I have are generally loud, forward recordings and "average quality" ahellac.

So they're comparable to a Victor record, varying from record to record of course?

I think Zonophone made records generally comparable to Victor. In the early years, Victor, Zonophone, Climax and Columbia were all perfecting the recording art and all had their share of winners and stinkers.

By the way, I just uploaded a couple of 9" Zonophone records dating between 1901-1903.

https://app.box.com/s/e6vwco64b7i33dzrumdew99lf40jcevi

This thread prompted me to read a Wiki article on Zonophone, which claims that Zono had a reputation for inferior quality. I've not noticed this. They seem perfectly normal acoustic records of the period.

U.K. Zonophone I don't know about.

Thanks guys, helpful advice.

Wolfe wrote:This thread prompted me to read a Wiki article on Zonophone, which claims that Zono had a reputation for inferior quality. I've not noticed this. They seem perfectly normal acoustic records of the period.

U.K. Zonophone I don't know about.

UK Zonophone was a lower price label of The Gramophone Company (HMV) so the quality should not be inferior, as the same equipment would have been used for both recording and manufacture.

The 10" single sided Zonophones that I have sound as good as the Victors of similar age.
I also have a 9" one that sounds OK.