Then there is the .
Most importantly, the tuning capacitor is massive for a portable radio. This oversized component is what gives the 111-07 its legendary selectivity. In a crowded city, this radio can pull a weak signal out from between two strong ones without bleeding. Vintage audio enthusiasts often argue about "transistor sound" versus "tube sound." The 111-07 is the bridge.
At first glance, it looks like a standard mid-century portable. But for those who collect vintage American electronics, the model number 111-07 is something of a legend. It represents a specific window in time—roughly 1962 to 1964—when Admiral, the Chicago-based electronics giant, was competing directly with the likes of Zenith and RCA.
March 8, 2025
Given the build quality and the joy of that analog dial, I still think it is the best bargain in vintage radio.
If you want Bluetooth, buy a JBL. If you want loud volume, buy a boombox.
But if you want —if you want to listen to a baseball game the way your grandfather did, or if you want to fall asleep to the gentle hum of static while tuning across the AM dial—the Admiral 111-07 is peerless. admiral 111-07
4 minutes Post:
The Admiral 111-07: Why This Vintage Gem Refuses to Fade Away
Vintage Audio / Hi-Fi
Unlike later "pocket radios" that used tiny speakers producing tinny highs, the Admiral features a 4x6 inch oval speaker mounted in a sealed wooden back (not plastic!). Because of this wooden baffle, the 111-07 produces low-end response that should be impossible for a battery-powered unit.
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It doesn’t try to be jewelry; it tries to be precision . The tactile feel of the dial—a long, horizontal ribbon tuner—is buttery smooth. When you slide your finger across it, you aren’t just changing stations; you are piloting a machine. Pop the back off a typical transistor radio, and you will find a messy bundle of wires and cheap capacitors. Pop the back off a 111-07, and you will find a thing of beauty. Then there is the
admiral-111-07-review