If you love old speakers, you can’t go past the Grundig Audiorama: the iconic spherical speakers from the 70s are a great vintage element for any living room, especially on the original chrome-plated feet.
Just like the Bose 901, the Grundig Audiorama was a first approach to creating surround sound.
The loudspeakers in the spheres radiated in all directions and were intended to fill the entire room with music.
There are certainly better sounding options these days. But the Audiorama’s combination of design and sound is still unique.
During the 1970s, Grundig launched various Audiorama models on the market. The 4000 and 5000 models were smaller at 25 cm, while the 7000 and 8000 models were significantly larger at 32 cm in diameter.
The number of speakers inside the spheres also varied: in some cases only four speakers were installed, in the 7000 even 12.
I am often asked about the exact differences between the various Audiorama models. The following list should provide some clarity:
Grundig Audiorama 4000 & 5000
- 4 speakers in the sphere (2x tweeter, 2x woofer)
- 25 cm diameter
- Produced from 1973
- Round tulip foot
- Valuation: approx. 400 € in good condition
Grundig Audiorama 7000
- 12 speakers in the sphere (8x tweeters, 4x woofers)
- 32 cm diameter
- Produced from 1973
- Three-beam base
- Valuation: approx. 500 € in good condition
Grundig Audiorama 8000
- 4 speakers in the sphere (2x tweeter, 2x woofer)
- 32 cm diameter
- Produced from 1975
- Partly with vulnerable foam beads
- Three-beam base
- Valuation: approx. 500 € in good condition
Grundig Audiorama 9000
- 3 speakers in the sphere (1x tweeter, 2x woofer)
- 32 cm diameter
- Produced from 2009
- Slightly oval shape
- Plate stand
- Valuation: approx. 600 € in good condition
Find used Grundig Audiorama
If you go hunting for Audioramas on eBay & Co. today, you should of course pay attention to the look first.
The beautiful, round Grundig logo on the top is often missing and the balls are frequently heavily dented.
The original stands are hard to find in good condition, and the chains for ceiling mounting are even rarer.
The technology inside the Audioramas is basically very solid. Unfortunately, so-called foam surrounds were used in the 8000 for a short time.
This edge of the membrane crumbles over time, the sound then becomes thin and the bass is completely absent. Rubber surrounds were installed in all other models, which last almost forever.
Lars Grudzinski has been working as a sound and lighting technician since the 90s, was a DJ for electronic music, has a large collection of vintage speakers, and has been working for various radio stations in Germany for 20 years. At home, he enjoys high-quality home theater products such as soundbars and projectors and has installed an extensive Sonos system in his own home.