Philco Model 16X Console Radio (Spring, 1934)
When I first spied this Philco model 16X inside a dark antiques barn
I assumed it was either a model 18X or 14X, but upon closer
inspection I found it to contain the chassis of an early model 16.
Moreover, it sports the escutcheon that is unique to the 16 series
and has the 16's familiar squelch on/off switch protruding from the
right side. It appeared completely original and yet matched none of
the model 16X cabinets I was familiar with (early or late). I later
contacted Philco historian and author Ron Ramirez, who responded
that he could find no mention in the Philco furniture records of a
model 16 having been offered using this particular cabinet, though
he had heard rumours of models like mine.
I wondered whether someone had removed the original chassis and
retrofitted the cabinet with one from a model 16. However, the closer
I looked the more I became convinced as to the set's originality (see
my original 16X webpage for more details).
Since that time I have located a number of original 1934 adverts
featuring this radio that clearly establish it as a genuine Philco
offering. Firstly, I came across an advertisement in Colliers
magazine, dated March 24th 1934, which shows exactly this model. I
later found several more advertisements showing it in newspapers
published during the months of March, April and May of 1934. Prior
to March, only the first 16X version ever turned up and beyond May,
once Philco's 1935 models had been announced, just the later
model appeared. Only during these three months in the spring of
1934 did I see this variant - suggestive of a short production run
and a radio that today is a rare find indeed!
Two of the advertisements, from newspapers dated April and May of
1934, are shown below (click on the thumbnail & use your browser's zoom capability to see them clearly).
I assumed it was either a model 18X or 14X, but upon closer
inspection I found it to contain the chassis of an early model 16.
Moreover, it sports the escutcheon that is unique to the 16 series
and has the 16's familiar squelch on/off switch protruding from the
right side. It appeared completely original and yet matched none of
the model 16X cabinets I was familiar with (early or late). I later
contacted Philco historian and author Ron Ramirez, who responded
that he could find no mention in the Philco furniture records of a
model 16 having been offered using this particular cabinet, though
he had heard rumours of models like mine.
I wondered whether someone had removed the original chassis and
retrofitted the cabinet with one from a model 16. However, the closer
I looked the more I became convinced as to the set's originality (see
my original 16X webpage for more details).
Since that time I have located a number of original 1934 adverts
featuring this radio that clearly establish it as a genuine Philco
offering. Firstly, I came across an advertisement in Colliers
magazine, dated March 24th 1934, which shows exactly this model. I
later found several more advertisements showing it in newspapers
published during the months of March, April and May of 1934. Prior
to March, only the first 16X version ever turned up and beyond May,
once Philco's 1935 models had been announced, just the later
model appeared. Only during these three months in the spring of
1934 did I see this variant - suggestive of a short production run
and a radio that today is a rare find indeed!
Two of the advertisements, from newspapers dated April and May of
1934, are shown below (click on the thumbnail & use your browser's zoom capability to see them clearly).
new Philco 16X...the All-Wave radio that is breaking distance records.
Tour the World! Yet stay-at-home.
So what can I now say about this radio?
This version of the Philco model 16X appears to have been
introduced in the early spring of 1934. It had an initial selling price
of $175 (complete) and is believed to have been offered for sale
only during March, April and May of 1934, after which it was
replaced with a new 16X cabinet style introduced as part of the
1935 model line up.
It uses the same chassis as the model 16 sets which preceded it,
the technical details of which, including schematic, have been fully
covered on my 16L and 16B pages, so I won't repeat them here.
Unlike the model 16L, which has a concealed inclined sounding
board, that of all the 16X variants is visible and Philco did not
hesitate in singing the praises of this feature* when promoting
these models. In advertisements for the 16X model shown here,
they proclaimed:- *first introduced for the model 112X.
This version of the Philco model 16X appears to have been
introduced in the early spring of 1934. It had an initial selling price
of $175 (complete) and is believed to have been offered for sale
only during March, April and May of 1934, after which it was
replaced with a new 16X cabinet style introduced as part of the
1935 model line up.
It uses the same chassis as the model 16 sets which preceded it,
the technical details of which, including schematic, have been fully
covered on my 16L and 16B pages, so I won't repeat them here.
Unlike the model 16L, which has a concealed inclined sounding
board, that of all the 16X variants is visible and Philco did not
hesitate in singing the praises of this feature* when promoting
these models. In advertisements for the 16X model shown here,
they proclaimed:- *first introduced for the model 112X.
- its inclination directs all high notes (sparkle and brilliance),
which you would otherwise miss, up to "ear level" - its large size permits full reproduction of low notes (depth
and sonority) - RESULT - reception as if the artist were present "in person"
The clear, true undistorted tone is due in large measure to the
greatest single development in scientific sound reproduction - the
revolutionary PHILCO Patented Inclined Sounding Board.
greatest single development in scientific sound reproduction - the
revolutionary PHILCO Patented Inclined Sounding Board.
It is to be noted that the rear of this radio is fitted with a Philco
Echo-Absorbing Screen (photo, right), designed to further
improve sound quality by eliminating sound waves radiated from
the back of the cabinet and reflected from the floor and walls back
to the listener. Note also that the radio uses the same grille cloth
as the model 60MB introduced in January of 1934 - these are the
only two Philcos known to have used this cloth.
Echo-Absorbing Screen (photo, right), designed to further
improve sound quality by eliminating sound waves radiated from
the back of the cabinet and reflected from the floor and walls back
to the listener. Note also that the radio uses the same grille cloth
as the model 60MB introduced in January of 1934 - these are the
only two Philcos known to have used this cloth.
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