classicwireless.co.uk/DefiantPg2

Defiant continued

Defiant were clearly proud of the sound output from their speaker, describing it thus: "The chassis is allied to a 10" mains energised auditorium electro-dynamic speaker of tremendous power reserve". The brochure continues: "This exceptionally fine cabinet incorporates a special tone chamber which makes possible real high fidelity reproduction and splendid tonal balance". I'm not so sure of this, it is not obvious what this special tonal chamber consists of, since the speaker is simply located at one end of the cabinet, and there does not appear to be any wadding or other method of improving sound quality. That said, the speaker end of the cabinet does have its own card back, but I think that is more to do with the sheer size of the receiver rather than acoustic considerations.

I've included a picture of the receiver with the backs in place, this must be one of very few U.K. table receivers with two card backs, (another is the Goblin Timespot) presumably because the size would have meant a single back would not have retained the required rigidity. The cabinet is unquestionably impressive, often described as "Odeonesque". That is an apt description, and with the speaker mounted at an angle and protective bars disappearing round the side of the cabinet it is of very redolent of the Art Deco period. However, it perhaps looks more impressive than it in fact is. The cabinet thickness is not as great as that of some other quality receivers, say for instance RGD or the high end models from EMI such as the Marconi 561 (which will appear on this site sometime in the future). The set was comparatively quite expensive for an own-brand receiver, costing £18.18.0, which was even more than the first class Murphy A52. Valve line up is AC/VP2, AC/TH1, AC/VP2, HLDD41, AC4/PEN, ME41, AC/SP1, DD41, UU4.

Shown left is a Defiant post war receiver, probably designed for the second set market. Although made in England, the circuit is actually more suitable for the American line voltage, so the 240v is dropped down through resistance in the mains cable. The cabinet is bakelite that has been sprayed white. The tuning dial is protected by a now yellowing celluloid cover. It hardly even deserves even to be on the same pages as the superlative MSH938 does it?

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