Thorens
Encyclopedia
Thorens is a Swiss manufacturer of high-end audio
equipment. They are historically renowned for the range of phonograph
s (turntables) they produce. In addition to audio playback equipment, they are also a historical producer of harmonica
s and cigarette lighter
s, most notably the button actuated "automatic lighter".
es and clock
movements, they started producing Edison-type phonographs in 1903.
In 1928, they produced their first electric (motor-drive) record player, and went on to produce a range of audiophile
record players in the 1950s and 1960s which are, even today, regarded as high-end audio
equipment, and are much sought-after. As of 2006, Thorens continues to produce well-regarded turntables for playback of vinyl and 78rpm gramophone records.
Im Hübel 1, Gienbach
Basel-Land, Switzerland 4304
Telephone: +41-618130336
High-end audio
High-end audio is a term used to describe a class of consumer home audio equipment marketed to audio enthusiasts on the basis of high price or quality, and esoteric or novel sound reproduction technologies. High-end audio can refer simply to the price, to the build quality of the components, or to...
equipment. They are historically renowned for the range of phonograph
Phonograph
The phonograph record player, or gramophone is a device introduced in 1877 that has had continued common use for reproducing sound recordings, although when first developed, the phonograph was used to both record and reproduce sounds...
s (turntables) they produce. In addition to audio playback equipment, they are also a historical producer of harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
s and cigarette lighter
Lighter
A lighter is a portable device used to generate a flame. It consists of a metal or plastic container filled with a flammable fluid or pressurized liquid gas, a means of ignition, and some provision for extinguishing the flame.- History :...
s, most notably the button actuated "automatic lighter".
History
In 1883, the Thorens family business was first registered in Sainte-Croix (Ste-Croix), Vaud, Switzerland by Hermann Thorens. An initial producer of musical boxMusical box
A music box is a 19th century automatic musical instrument that produces sounds by the use of a set of pins placed on a revolving cylinder or disc so as to pluck the tuned teeth of a steel comb. They were developed from musical snuff boxes of the 18th century and called carillons à musique...
es and clock
Clock
A clock is an instrument used to indicate, keep, and co-ordinate time. The word clock is derived ultimately from the Celtic words clagan and clocca meaning "bell". A silent instrument missing such a mechanism has traditionally been known as a timepiece...
movements, they started producing Edison-type phonographs in 1903.
In 1928, they produced their first electric (motor-drive) record player, and went on to produce a range of audiophile
Audiophile
An audiophile is a person who enjoys listening to recorded music, usually in a home. Some audiophiles are more interested in collecting and listening to music, while others are more interested in collecting and listening to audio components, whose "sound quality" they consider as important as the...
record players in the 1950s and 1960s which are, even today, regarded as high-end audio
High-end audio
High-end audio is a term used to describe a class of consumer home audio equipment marketed to audio enthusiasts on the basis of high price or quality, and esoteric or novel sound reproduction technologies. High-end audio can refer simply to the price, to the build quality of the components, or to...
equipment, and are much sought-after. As of 2006, Thorens continues to produce well-regarded turntables for playback of vinyl and 78rpm gramophone records.
Company Headquarters
Thorens Export Company AGIm Hübel 1, Gienbach
Basel-Land, Switzerland 4304
Telephone: +41-618130336