The technical details of the 10S153's type 1004 chassis, along
with a link to the schematic, can be found on my 10S130 page, so
I won't duplicate them here.
The 10S153 Acoustic Adapter Conundrum
If the original Zenith service literature is to be believed, all 10S153
consoles came from the factory fitted with loudspeaker part
#49-156, which has no Acoustic Adapter (AA) attachment. How-
ever, this information appears incomplete, as there are numerous
examples of this model around today which incorporate the alter-
nate loudspeaker (part #49-147) carrying the adapter and assoc-
iated mounting hardware.
In late 2006 I initiated an informal survey on this subject at the AR
Forums. Some respondents reported their models as using part #
49-147 (with the adapter) while others reported their's as using
part #49-156 (without). I myself have two of these radios, both with
adapters. A secondary finding was that the serial numbers of
models having/not having adapters do not appear to correspond
to particular batches of 10S153 chassis production, though to be
fair, the sample size was small.
To see if I could shed any further light on this matter I conducted a
search of numerous 1936/37 newspapers, looking for Zenith ad-
vertising featuring the 10S153. I did in fact come across many
instances, spread throughout the model year, where the Acoustic
Adapter was listed explicitly as a feature of the 10S153. However,
there were almost as many ads that did not or left the matter
vague. A selection from these ads is presented to the right and
lower on this page, together with highlights extracted from the var-
ious ads. Were the numerous ads claiming the 10-S-153 to offer
the device all wrong?
Based on the evidence, it seems highly likely that the 10S153
models did in fact come from the factory both with and without the
Acoustic Adapter. I therefore feel justified in including it on my list
of 10S153 features - shown above.
with a link to the schematic, can be found on my 10S130 page, so
I won't duplicate them here.
The 10S153 Acoustic Adapter Conundrum
If the original Zenith service literature is to be believed, all 10S153
consoles came from the factory fitted with loudspeaker part
#49-156, which has no Acoustic Adapter (AA) attachment. How-
ever, this information appears incomplete, as there are numerous
examples of this model around today which incorporate the alter-
nate loudspeaker (part #49-147) carrying the adapter and assoc-
iated mounting hardware.
In late 2006 I initiated an informal survey on this subject at the AR
Forums. Some respondents reported their models as using part #
49-147 (with the adapter) while others reported their's as using
part #49-156 (without). I myself have two of these radios, both with
adapters. A secondary finding was that the serial numbers of
models having/not having adapters do not appear to correspond
to particular batches of 10S153 chassis production, though to be
fair, the sample size was small.
To see if I could shed any further light on this matter I conducted a
search of numerous 1936/37 newspapers, looking for Zenith ad-
vertising featuring the 10S153. I did in fact come across many
instances, spread throughout the model year, where the Acoustic
Adapter was listed explicitly as a feature of the 10S153. However,
there were almost as many ads that did not or left the matter
vague. A selection from these ads is presented to the right and
lower on this page, together with highlights extracted from the var-
ious ads. Were the numerous ads claiming the 10-S-153 to offer
the device all wrong?
Based on the evidence, it seems highly likely that the 10S153
models did in fact come from the factory both with and without the
Acoustic Adapter. I therefore feel justified in including it on my list
of 10S153 features - shown above.
| TubeRadioLand:Home > Zenith > 10-S-153 |
Zenith Model 10-S-153 (10S153) Console Radio (1937)
| "For best tonal effect, a radio must be balanced to the room. Or the room to the radio. Obviously, the room cannot be balanced to the radio - so, Zenith has the Acoustic Adapter - a "tone balancer" to insure sharp, crisp, clear reproduction in any room. Once you've heard a Zenith in your home, you'll never be without it." |
The Zenith 10S153 is an attractive mid-sized console introduced in
June of 1936 for the 1937 model year. The introductory price was
$99.95 in the East ($104.95 West of the Rockies) for the basic wal-
nut cabinet. The radio features the "squared-circle" version of the
big black dial, having controls at each corner and lower center.
Other features of the 10S153, in words borrowed from Zenith adv-
ertising sources, include:-
June of 1936 for the 1937 model year. The introductory price was
$99.95 in the East ($104.95 West of the Rockies) for the basic wal-
nut cabinet. The radio features the "squared-circle" version of the
big black dial, having controls at each corner and lower center.
Other features of the 10S153, in words borrowed from Zenith adv-
ertising sources, include:-
- Big Black Improved Dial - Zenith's most imitated feature
again improved. - Telltale Controls - easy to read, easy to tune. You don't
need glasses. Everything as simple as a-b-c. - Lightning Station Finder - Gives you the exclusive Emde
Spinner-Tuning method. Gets any station with the flick of a
finger. - Split-Second Relocator - for quick, reliable and accurate
short-wave tuning. A patented Zenith feature imitated in
looks but not in deeds. - The radio with the overtone amplifier - should not be
confused with "trick" tone modifiers - Voice, music, high fidelity control - a feature you must
hear - Zenith Acoustic Adapter - being heralded as radio's most
outstanding tone adjustment - Target Tuning - Zenith's simple, accurate tuning method.
- Metaglas tubes
- Triple Filtering
- Choice of smart finishes (see below right)
Zenith 10S153.. a quality radio at a bargain price.
Elegant... with a suggestion of massiveness in its simplicity.
Copyright TubeRadioLand.com
| "Acoustic Adapter gives you that "best seat in the house effect". The only device now made that adjusts for different size rooms, different ceiling heights - adjusts for perfect performance in any size room." |
Sept 24th 1936, Syracuse
Dec 15th 1936,
Minn.
Minn.
Dec 16th 1936, PA
Nov 19th 1936, Utah
Oct 8th 1936,
Mn
Mn
Sept 15th. 1936, Reno
Sept 7th 1936, Ks