Admiral 111-07 Apr 2026

Don’t let the "Admiral" name fool you. This isn't a low-ranking officer. It is the flagship.

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.

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.

Given the build quality and the joy of that analog dial, I still think it is the best bargain in vintage radio. admiral 111-07

There are thousands of transistor radios out there. Most of them end up in landfill, forgotten, their plastic cases cracked and their tuning knobs frozen.

March 8, 2025

Vintage Audio / Hi-Fi

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.

admiral-111-07-review

If you want Bluetooth, buy a JBL. If you want loud volume, buy a boombox. Don’t let the "Admiral" name fool you

The Admiral 111-07: Why This Vintage Gem Refuses to Fade Away

Here is why this specific radio still matters 60 years later. Forget the flashy colors of Japanese imports. The Admiral 111-07 is all business. Usually found in a muted tweed or charcoal case with brushed silver trim, it looks like something a NASA engineer would have had on his desk during the Mercury missions.

Prices have climbed in the last few years. A "parts only" unit will run you $40. A fully restored, singing unit will set you back $150 to $250. But if you want —if you want to

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