WOLF retro DESIGN REVIEW. 23rd February 2023
A retro review looks at products that are at least over ten years old from a present-day WOLF design perspective. While the technology and fashion of the period influence design, and are taken into consideration, great design ideas will transcend their eras to be timeless.
Interesting and factual information may be provided, but our review aims to deliver insight from the perspective of a designer’s mind and eyes.
Awkward design of the 60s.
Introduction
Product Focus
As with most reviews the focus is on the design and its evolution within the industry. The functioning systems and sound quality are not necessarily considered.
Product description
The Sony 8F-38 was a portable AM/FM radio made in Japan in the mid-1960s.
Price and Availability.
Portability was novel in the 60s and being both light and relatively compact this radio was a hit and very popular. Quite a few come up for sale each year and can fetch anything between $20 and $150 depending on condition.
Additional information
The 60s was a critical era for Sony when the brand sought to evolve from being cheap in both price and quality towards being a reliable and trustworthy mainstream brand.
Review
First impression/ Delight
To us this radio comes across as rather awkward even though everything about it tries to be simple and straight forward. Its lines, finishes and colours are somehow out of sync and this leaves us sympathizing with a radio that want to be more but is not.
Exterior Design Review
This upright clock radio is compact and portable but not exactly small. From the front it wants to be square shaped but the sides are bent and taper in towards the top. The face is divided clearly into three sections. Most dominating on the top is a speaker behind an aluminium panel that is perforated by tiny holes. It is a little industrial in our opinion and does not match the rest of the radio. Below the speaker is a relatively wide tuning section. The white and gold graphics were probably an attempt to look classy but we feel they do the opposite. Below that is a brushed aluminium panel with other controls. connecting these three sections is moulded ivory plastic frame. The main case behind the face consists of four sides and a rear in a black plastic. The glossy finish to this plastic further cheapens the overall look and feel. A sleek handle is moulded into the top side so that nothing protrudes from the main body. Next to the handle is an extendable chromed antenna. The antenna tip is red which was probably a safety consideration though it would have been much better in a matching ivory.
From the sides it is a relatively thin radio and the tapering towards the top does help to slenderize the look but to us it just adds to aforementioned bent look.
Craftmanship.
The plastic casing is brittle and many have cracks in the corners. The ivory plastic was probably a lot whiter when new but most of the ones we have seen are quite yellowed from age. Visible screws on the rear and underside is expected for a product of the 60s but still detracts from the overall look.
The aluminium face panel is thin and vulnerable. Unless mint in box we have yet to see one without scratches and dints. Despite the significant use of brushed elements on the face it still feels quite plasticky. Together with being quite light you do not get the feeling that this is a high-quality device. It feels to us like an affordable radio that was trying to look classier than it is.
FUNCTION- Experience.
The controls are simple and straight forward. The dial is large and feels smooth to turn but you can tell that it is made from chromed plastic rather than metal. On the panel below is a dial for tone, volume and a switch between AM and FM. We think the AM/FM switch could have matched the other round style knobs.
While designed to be compact it is just a little too small to be something you would leave on your desk or sideboard, yet it is also not small enough to put in your bag or pocket. It wants to be out and about but in our opinion is not robust enough to handle the outdoors. Those long supporting legs on the underside might help sit on sand but its slender profile makes it easy to topple over and it is not sealed tight enough to withstand sea salt and corrosion. Most of the ones we’ve seen have dust and dirt visible behind the acrylic tuning display which suggests gaps in the detailing.
Desirability / Collectability and what to look for.
This Radio was popular as SONY were very competitive in the 60s and 70s with pricing. They are often seen on the second-hand market but clean ones with dint and scratch free speakers are very rare. Surprisingly many still work and that is testimony to the quality internal engineering. They do not display well unless clean with minimal dints and scuffs. The ivory plastic should also not be too yellowed. We would only suggest a mint example and expect to pay up to $200 for one that is mint out of the box.
WORD OF THE WOLF
This radio is very representative of what SONY were about in the 1960s, but from a design perspective it falls short. There is limited collectable value in our opinion unless you come across a mint in box specimen.
WOLF DESIGN EXCELLENCE SCORE = 5.3
With a score of only 5.3 this is one of the lowest scoring reviews we have had. We have possibly been a little harsh but it just does not stand up to our expectations as well as designs that SONY produced in subsequent years. It is representative of a time when the brand was pushing to be recognised and this radio certainly demonstrates effort to achieve that, but from our design perspective was still far off.
Disclaimer
The information in this review is intended for informational or educational purposes to provide readers an understanding of how something may be seen from a certain design perspective. In this case it is from the view point of WOLF DESIGNS. As design is subjective this review should only be considered as an independent opinion. Information further to being of an opinion is provided to the best of our knowledge based on our own research at the time of doing the review. We cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or inconsistencies and reserve the right to change or update any content as appropriate.
The final responsibility of the design resides with the original manufacturer.
