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VV 4-4 / Granada / Granada X / VE 4-4 X

RARITY: ¤   VALUE:  ¤ 

The Granada (also referred to as the VV 4-4) was one of four premiere Orthophonic models that were introduced in the late fall of 1925. These machines provided far better sound-quality than any of the earlier Victrola models, with superior frequency response, higher volume, and a far less "canned" sound quality than was experienced with the previous generation of acoustic phonographs. For a description of the Orthophonic machine concepts, please refer to the page Basics of the Acoustic Phonograph.
Two of the four introductory models, the Credenza and Consolette had secretly been in production at the Camden plant through the late summer and early fall months, and dealers were well-stocked with these two machines in time for the formal introduction of the Orthophonic line. Interestingly, production of the other two models, the Granada and Colony models did not start ramping-up until October. So on the official Orthophonic launch-date of November 2, very few Granada models were available for sale at Victor dealers; however they began appearing in plenty of time for the 1925 Christmas selling season.
The Granada (left) was a significant step-up from the lowest-priced Orthophonic Consolette floor model. It offered a larger and higher-quality cabinet, with greatly increased record storage areas, and most importantly, a robust and quiet 2-spring motor. Bright nickel-plated hardware was provided. However, as was the case with the Consolette and Colony machines, early-production Granadas did not have a cover over the horn opening, which left a rather "unfinished", gaping-hole appearance when the front doors were open. It also used the same basic (unfolded) semi-exponential horn as did the Consolette and Colony, which limited the machine's bass response; consequently, it sounded very similar to the low-cost Consolette, with perhaps a bit more volume. The Granada was priced at $150.00, which equates to about $2,250.00 in today's money.
Initial sales of the Granada were promising. A grille-cloth to cover the horn opening was added in early 1926 (right), and at the same time, an electric motor option was made available as a $35.00 option (denoted as Granada X). A folded (re-entrant) horn was added during the summer of 1926, which vastly improved the sound quality.
The Granada was renamed the VV 4-4 in the fall of 1926, and a few minor features were enhanced, but the machine remained essentially the same as before.  The Granada was completely re-designed and launched in January, 1927 as the VV 4-40 . An estimated total of 79,500 Granada/VV 4-4 phonographs were produced. Factory records indicate that 20,000 electric Granada X / VE 4-4 Victrolas were produced, but based on surviving examples, it is likely that only 12,000 of these machines were delivered to dealers. Some late-production examples have been reported with an "antique bronze" finish on the hardware, but this has not been verified.
The Granada was available only in a blended-stain mahogany finish.

Re-live the original dealership experience! Listen to the early Granada (unfolded semi-exponential horn) vs. the Credenza (Victor's best machine at that time) in a "head-to-head" comparison!

Recordings made 6' feet in front of machines, in same position, in same room, with same record. Neumann condenser microphones direct to DAT recording. No equalization or gain changes. Same brass Orthophonic soundbox used on both machines. Good playback speakers or headphones are required. Click below for comparison.

GRANADA           CREDENZA

The current survival database shows the earliest existent Granada to be S/N 534 and the latest VV 4-4 to be S/N 79651.    

The current survival database shows the earliest existent Granada X (electric) to be S/N 507 and the latest VE 4-4 to be S/N 12620.

Do you own a Victor Granada / VV 4-4? Please take a moment and enter some basic information about your machine into the collector's database by clicking here. No personal information is required.