Category: <span>grundig 4085 – en</span>

Grundig 4085 german radios - en

Grundig 4085 – en

Grundig 4085

GRUNDIG 4085

As for the Grundig 4095 I would like to tell a brief history this cabinet design.
Manufactured in 1956, the 4085 radio set was a Grundig mid-high grade equipment. What distinguished it from other high class Grundig radios was its special design shaped like a stylized Lyre.

Grundig 4085To Greek mythology, the inventor of the lyre was Hermes, who built it with a tortoise shell and a sheep gut to donate it to Apollo, who then gave it as a gift to his son Orpheus. In classical era, the lyre was linked to Dionysus and represented ecstasy and celebration. The lyre probably originates from northeastern Africa.
The design was used in some rare devices previous very daring.Grundig 4085
An interesting example is the Tonfunk (in fact subsequently absorbed by Grundig) Violetta Lyra 1955, visible in the image on the right.

In my opinion the 4085 and 4095 are the big capacity of synthesis of Grundig designers.
They design evoke the sinuous forms of Lira while maintaining clean lines, which they did at the time, growing old hit most other radios on the market.

 

Some stylistic solutions typical of this model were then adopted also by many other manufacturers for a long time.
For instance, the wooden frontal fillets designed to protect the speakers will be used in appliances and speakers until the '70s.
Even the golden color of the cabinet along with the four-sided and sharp lines will denote the most of the forthcoming production as a leitmotif.

Produced in 1956/57, the Grundig 4085 was the upper-mid range device with the most innovative look ever created by this brand.
In that same period, Grundig produced another line, the 4095, which was slightly larger and had a push-pull output stage.
The two devices, however similar, had unique defining characteristics and uses. One is not better than the other as each device has it's own key feature.
The 4095 was privileged with greater power and is better adapted to filling larger environments with sound.
The 4085 was given a Class A output stage, it has a more refined and warmer sound even if it is less powerful.
The EL84 is considered to be one of the best musical tubes ever produced. In fact, it is still used today in high-end amplifiers.
The tone controls are inserted into the feedback circuit so that distortions are further reduced.
Alnico wide-band loudspeakers are very efficient, requiring little power to reach elevated levels of sound pressure.
Furthermore, the warmth of this sound is that typical of very fast wide-band loudspeakers
Today, this type of wide-band loudspeaker is increasingly used in the production of high efficiency horn loudspeakers.
Another musical device with an incredibly modern look.

Grundig 4085

BLUETOOTH
Bluetooth receiver embed

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MULTI PLATFORM CONNECTION
Each radio is equipped with a cable for connection to any digital device.

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TUBESOUND IMPROVEMENT

- Bluetooth receiver embed - The unit is equipped with a BLUETOOTH receiver powered directly by the receiver power supply. This makes it possible to control the amplifier from any external digital device as an IPAD, a Smartphone, or a sophisticated multimedia station. So you can hear your preferred web station or your lossesless file without cables on the room. Wireless Receiver can be equipped upon requests.
- Multi Platform Connection - A customized adaptation cable to connect any digital device as Iphone, Smartphone, Laptop, CD Player etc. will be provided with this radio. This special cable suits the different impedances between the modern equipment and the receiver. Furthermore the two stereo channels flow into one without increasing the load to the input unit.

HISTORY

1930 - At 22 years old Max Grundig begin a radio repair business.

1939 - The II world War start. Grundig works primarily for the Wehrmacht and repair of telecommunication equipment.

1945 - Immediately after the war, the demand for repair work was very great. Max Grundig built the first two Grundig appliances: the Tubatest tube tester and the Novatest testing device.

1947 - Start the sale of a kit radio, the Heinzelmann. The unit is the basis of success, sold more than 15,000 pieces.

1950 - Very high frequency (VHF) is introduced to Germany and places new demands on the industry. Grundig launches the 380 W on the market.

1952 - The first television channel starts up in Germany. After intensive research, Grundig launches the FS 080 onto the market. In the same year the first portable tape recorder Reporter 500 L is created.

1956 - After a lot of radio produced with progrssively high performances was produced the Concert Radio 5080 equipped with an equaliser, which has five controls and a visual display.

1965 - A new factory is established in Braga, Portugal. The Satellit 205 is one of many appliances in the Satellit series. This product marks the beginning of Grundig production of high-quality global receivers.

1970 - The Audiorama 7000 Hi-fi was produced, it has twelve dynamic speaker systems in one speaker.

1976 - The Reel Tape Recorder TS 1000 is equipped for semi-professional use.

1980 - The slim-line Hi-fi Tuner ST 6000 and the Monolith Hi-fi Dynamic Flat Top Antenna, which has 22 speaker systems, are two particularly popular appliances in the new hi-fi range.

1984 - After severe drop in sales Philips increased its stake in Grundig 31.6 percent and takes over the corporate management.

1997 - Philips pulls out of its involvement with Grundig.

2003 - The company files for bankruptcy.

2008 - Turkey's Koç Holding took full ownership of Grundig Multimedia B.V., the parent company of Grundig Intermedia GmbH in Nuremberg.

Courtesy of: Grundig

MAIN FEATURES

Year of production: 1956/57
Superheterodyne IF 460/10700
8 AM Circuits
13 FM Circuits
Wavebands:
LW, MW, SW, FM
Operating voltage (CA) 110; 125; 160; 220 Volts
3 Wideband loudspeakers
Dimensions (LHD): 25.6 x 14.2 x 12.2 inch
Net weight: 32 lb 9.6 oz
7 Tubes:
ECC85 ECH81 EBF89 EAA91 EM34 ECC81 EL84

Rotating ferrite aerial for AM bands

Grundig 4085

EQUALIZER WITH LEVEL INDICATION

The tones control system is a jewel. The device is equipped with a 5-band equalizer.
A red thread mark the position of the potentiometers and draws the chosen equalization curve.
Each knob is nicely associated with the musical instruments on which it acts.

Bass - Kettledrum, Tuba
Middle-Bass - Bassoon, Horn
Mid- Clarinet, Saxophone
Mid-High - Cornet, Violin
High - Trumpet, Flute

The visual effect is pleasant and easy to understand.

AERIALS

Inside the cabinet there is a dipole for FM reception and a ferrite rotating aerial for AM reception.
Ferrite aerial can be rotated from the outside to achieve a perfect tuning of the device in the AM.
In this picture see the rotation mechanism and the position indicator of the aerial.
The reception sensitivity with internal aerials is very good. This unit was in fact produced in a period when there were not many radio stations and those available fairly apart from each others.
Using an external aerial sensitivity is further increased.

Grundig 4085

SEPARATE CONTROL TUNING BETWEEN AM AND FM

The tuning system is another gem.
The unit is equipped with mechanisms for keeping separate the AM and FM bands.
The tuning knob is single but a selector switch commutes into cable systems (all in steel) and pulleys separated depending on the band.
The movement is transferred to both mechanisms with a system of pulleys and separated gears.

TUNING INDICATOR

The tuning indicator has of course been replaced.

Grundig 4085

LOUDSPEAKERS

There are three wideband loudspeakers.
They are extremely efficient.
A loudspeaker is placed on both sides for the 3D reproduction.

Incredibly amazing sound!

CONTROL PANEL

Grundig 4085

On the left you can find the volume control (with incorporated loudness) and the ferrite antenna’s rotation control.
The AM scale for short, medium, long an FM waves.
On the lower left side there are the OFF, tape recorder, record player, AM antenna

The five equalizer knobs, the long, medium, short and FM waves.
Symmetrically to the AM aerial indicator we find the tuning indicator.
Lastly the tuning knob is supported by a big fly-wheel which creates a pleasant movement.

Grundig 4085

REAR SIDE

Output for external speakers.
Socket for recorder (tonbandgerat).
Turntable input (Tonabnehmer)
AM and FM aerial inputs and ground socket.

RESTORING WORKS

THE USUAL AMAZING LAST IMAGE
Grundig 4085