AKAI X-IV: The universal soldier

The AKAI X-IV, produced in Japan at the end of the 1960s, was a fully transistorized stereo tape recorder with 4 speeds and crossfield heads. It was a versatile unit for its time and attracted a wide range of consumers:



Music Enthusiasts and Audiophiles: individuals passionate about high-fidelity sound and home audio recording found the AKAI X-IV appealing. These consumers appreciated the superior sound quality and recording capabilities the device offered. The frequency response was 40 – 20000 Hz at 19 cm/sec and 40 – 17000 Hz at 9.56 cm/sec.

Amateur Musicians and Bands: aspiring musicians and small bands used the AKAI X-IV to record live music. It provided an affordable means for creating demo tapes and practice recordings. If fully charged, the rechargeable battery can operate the recorder continuously for more than 6 hours of stereo recording.

Broadcast and Media Professionals: Some radio stations and media professionals utilized the Akai X-IV as a reporter device for recording interviews, music, and other audio content for broadcast purposes. The weight of the tape recorder is only 5,1 kg.

Educational Institutions: schools, colleges, and universities employed the AKAI X-IV for language labs, recording lectures, and other academic purposes. It was a valuable tool for audio-based learning and teaching. At the lowest speed of 2,37 cm/sec, the frequency response was 30 – 5500 Hz, which is more than enough for the voice record.

Home Users: general consumers who enjoyed recording and playing back music, speeches, or other audio content in their homes also bought the AKAI X-IV. It was popular for personal use, capturing family events, and creating personalized audio collections. The internal solid-state amplifier provided 2 W per channel.

The AKAI X-IV's versatility, reliability, and quality made it a popular choice across these varied consumer groups during its time. The main disadvantage of the device was that it accepted only small 5-inch (13 cm) reels. AKAI X-IV was also an expensive tape recorder, the retail price in the UK was 140 British Pounds, the same as for the Hi-Fi stationary AKAI M8. It is equivalent to the 3900 euros for today.