"Hi-Fi-Fo-Fum": BBC 'Monitor' on The Audiophile in 1959 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Uncle Bulgaria · 21st Apr 2024, 8:03 pm

A short film by the BBC's 'Monitor' programme from 1959. Absolutely on point and very funny.

Ted Kendall · 21st Apr 2024, 8:50 pm

Humphrey Burton writes about this in his autobiography. The stereo seat shuffle was shot in his living room with his system, largely paid for out of the winnings of a journalism competition. Tannoy speakers, Audiomaster amplifier and a Garrard 4HF.

mark_in_manc · 21st Apr 2024, 9:17 pm

That was a lot of fun - thanks for posting.

Radio Wrangler · 21st Apr 2024, 9:54 pm

Something with a pair of KT66 or KT88 was thrown out in that bin!

David

McMurdo · 22nd Apr 2024, 12:23 am

the hifi shop appears to be Premier radio who had branches in Fleet Street and Edgware Road amongst others, any locals recognise it? (one of the famous Premier radio kits is in the window).

chriswood1900 · 22nd Apr 2024, 12:44 pm

What fun and a look back to the past, with things such as the listening booths which I had forgotten.
When they got to the clips of the friends demonstrating stereo I cant help feeling the speakers were too close together with too much toe in for good imaging.

Beardyman · 22nd Apr 2024, 2:16 pm

Thoroughly enjoyed that! Thanks for posting that little gem.

Petedox · 22nd Apr 2024, 3:25 pm

That's brilliant thanks.

Also the 'Vinyl Restoration' on the same page was incredibly painstaking!

Nickthedentist · 22nd Apr 2024, 4:46 pm

One of the funniest things I've seen recently, thank you for sharing.

I like the way the chap's spent all his disposable income on hifi, yet the house is definitely in need of a lick of paint.

A different world, but some things haven't changed!

John_BS · 22nd Apr 2024, 6:17 pm

Grouping the heads so so close to share the one sweet-spot, and then someone kneels in the coffee-cup ... British understatement.

21st Apr 2024, 8:03 pm	#1
Uncle Bulgaria Nonode Join Date: May 2016 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 2,339	"Hi-Fi-Fo-Fum": BBC 'Monitor' on The Audiophile in 1959 A short film by the BBC's 'Monitor' programme from 1959. Absolutely on point and very funny.

21st Apr 2024, 8:50 pm	#2
Ted Kendall Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 3,675	Re: "Hi-Fi-Fo-Fum": BBC 'Monitor' on The Audiophile in 1959 Humphrey Burton writes about this in his autobiography. The stereo seat shuffle was shot in his living room with his system, largely paid for out of the winnings of a journalism competition. Tannoy speakers, Audiomaster amplifier and a Garrard 4HF.

21st Apr 2024, 9:17 pm	#3
mark_in_manc Octode Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 1,875	Re: "Hi-Fi-Fo-Fum": BBC 'Monitor' on The Audiophile in 1959 That was a lot of fun - thanks for posting. __________________ "The best dBs, come in 3s" - Woody Brown

21st Apr 2024, 9:54 pm	#4
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,903	Re: "Hi-Fi-Fo-Fum": BBC 'Monitor' on The Audiophile in 1959 Something with a pair of KT66 or KT88 was thrown out in that bin! David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

22nd Apr 2024, 12:23 am	#5
McMurdo Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 5,276	Re: "Hi-Fi-Fo-Fum": BBC 'Monitor' on The Audiophile in 1959 the hifi shop appears to be Premier radio who had branches in Fleet Street and Edgware Road amongst others, any locals recognise it? (one of the famous Premier radio kits is in the window). __________________ Kevin

22nd Apr 2024, 12:44 pm	#6
chriswood1900 Octode Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dorridge, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 1,486	Re: "Hi-Fi-Fo-Fum": BBC 'Monitor' on The Audiophile in 1959 What fun and a look back to the past, with things such as the listening booths which I had forgotten. When they got to the clips of the friends demonstrating stereo I cant help feeling the speakers were too close together with too much toe in for good imaging. __________________ Chris Wood BVWS Member

22nd Apr 2024, 2:16 pm	#7
Beardyman Hexode Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 430	Re: "Hi-Fi-Fo-Fum": BBC 'Monitor' on The Audiophile in 1959 Thoroughly enjoyed that! Thanks for posting that little gem. __________________ The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits. (Einstein)

22nd Apr 2024, 3:25 pm	#8
Petedox Pentode Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Waterlooville, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 201	Re: "Hi-Fi-Fo-Fum": BBC 'Monitor' on The Audiophile in 1959 That's brilliant thanks. Also the 'Vinyl Restoration' on the same page was incredibly painstaking! __________________ Pete BVWS Member

22nd Apr 2024, 4:46 pm	#9
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,866	Re: "Hi-Fi-Fo-Fum": BBC 'Monitor' on The Audiophile in 1959 One of the funniest things I've seen recently, thank you for sharing. I like the way the chap's spent all his disposable income on hifi, yet the house is definitely in need of a lick of paint. A different world, but some things haven't changed!

22nd Apr 2024, 6:17 pm	#10
John_BS Octode Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wincanton, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,785	Re: "Hi-Fi-Fo-Fum": BBC 'Monitor' on The Audiophile in 1959 Grouping the heads so so close to share the one sweet-spot, and then someone kneels in the coffee-cup ... British understatement.