DiamondBoxx XL review
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Transistorized
Member (SA)
I have mixed feelings about the DiamondBoxx XL. The other Diamond models are truly awesome and I know the XL goes loud with clarity but...eh 
. Before people start thinking I am a hater I am NOT at all. They sound great and I get the idea of being the top kid on the block. I am an enthusiast of any portable device so I can appreciate this as well. I just started thinking about why I would want this box and I have found a few issues that I have:
Portable Practicality.
I can't really say I view this as a "practical" portable device. With the DiamondBoxx XL I've watched bigger guys than myself lugging this thing around. They go 20ft then set it down. Go another 20ft then set it down. It's safe to say that it would not be practical or reasonable to carry it around in public so (for me) it's only portable in the sense that it runs on a battery. Otherwise I'd need a car or something on wheels to tote it around just the same as my DJ speaker equipment.
So then I set my focus on clarity.....I really do enjoy the idea of nice clear sound (which the DiamondBoxx has). So I thought about that to justify the expense. As I thought about clarity for a while I came to realize that clarity is usually only practical and really appreciated in a controlled (usually indoor) environment. I already have ways of achieving clarity indoors with my current high end home audio equipment. So for right now the only thing I can come up with in purchasing this box for 1,700 dollars is to be able to say I have the biggest, cleanest sounding Bluetooth speaker on the planet. Knowing my luck a louder, smaller, cleaner and cheaper model will come out 2 days after I buy one...lol
. Before people start thinking I am a hater I am NOT at all. They sound great and I get the idea of being the top kid on the block. I am an enthusiast of any portable device so I can appreciate this as well. I just started thinking about why I would want this box and I have found a few issues that I have:Portable Practicality.
I can't really say I view this as a "practical" portable device. With the DiamondBoxx XL I've watched bigger guys than myself lugging this thing around. They go 20ft then set it down. Go another 20ft then set it down. It's safe to say that it would not be practical or reasonable to carry it around in public so (for me) it's only portable in the sense that it runs on a battery. Otherwise I'd need a car or something on wheels to tote it around just the same as my DJ speaker equipment.
So then I set my focus on clarity.....I really do enjoy the idea of nice clear sound (which the DiamondBoxx has). So I thought about that to justify the expense. As I thought about clarity for a while I came to realize that clarity is usually only practical and really appreciated in a controlled (usually indoor) environment. I already have ways of achieving clarity indoors with my current high end home audio equipment. So for right now the only thing I can come up with in purchasing this box for 1,700 dollars is to be able to say I have the biggest, cleanest sounding Bluetooth speaker on the planet. Knowing my luck a louder, smaller, cleaner and cheaper model will come out 2 days after I buy one...lol
Somehow, I feel like we should call these type of boxes something other than "BOOMBOX" since when I think BOOMBOX, this isn't what comes to mind. Perhaps in a technical sense, these things are a better fit for that word but where's the radio, and all the switches and doodad switches, and sound shaping controls? And what's with these single buttons as if all there is to audio enjoyment is all encompassed within an on/off dual choice?
I've nothing against this and I'm sure it does what it does very well. But I just can't lump this together with the traditional boomboxes. Because to me, it's not.
I've nothing against this and I'm sure it does what it does very well. But I just can't lump this together with the traditional boomboxes. Because to me, it's not.
I'm pretty sure I know what's going on.....
The simplest part of the boombox is the amplifier. They sell them in complete modules now and all you need to do is design a power supply to power it, and voila, instant boombox. And of course we all know that these blutooth receivers are cheap and can be stuffed into a box requiring only a power supply and maybe an external button for pairing. Voila, instant bluetooth boombox. Although in reality, to me, it's not a boombox at all. It's a blutooth speaker.
I mean, everything that we've come to know and associate with boombox, from my era when I was growing up, is lots of controls, the more the better. And every boombox needs a radio and that cool antenna which shows that the unit means business. And of course it needs a cassette player too otherwise, it's just a radio. Then later came CD's too with units sporting AM/FM/CD/Cassette/Line-In... 5 or more functions. And as if a cassette player isn't enough, why not add TWO. Then there's the even that one that has 3 decks including a removable walkman type. And of course that iconic look, cassette player in the middle, tuner dial along the top edge, outboard speakers, telescoping antenna and the carry handle. Knobs, the more the better. Switches, the more the better.
But what has happended? NO CD. NO CASSETTE. NO AM. NO FM. NO ANTENNA and burglar alarm batteries. Oh and an off the shelf SUITCASE HANDLE instead of custom designed pieces for that particular gear. I mean, these look more DIY than a serious piece of gear. When I bring a boombox into the garage, I flip a switch and I got music. For these, YOU must supply the music so your portable device will always be tethered and of course if it's a playlist, then it goes over and over again instead of spontaneous music. With this, I need to decide do I want to tie up my phone and burn the battery or listen to the sounds of silence. Literally.
Why not the other stuff? Because they take a whole lot more engineering to design a box like that and that takes 95% of the entrepreneurs out of the picture. Tuner? Forget it, as that takes a whole lot more technical knowledge and challenge, although FM tuner modules do exist since it's the AM that requires the ferrite rod and FM can be almost single chipped. Almost.
Anyhow, like I said, I'm sure that the diamond box (and other similar type of boxes) do what they do and do it well. If you are having an outdoor party, there's no legacy boombox can touch it. But for a lot of the reasons that Transistorized already stated and the other stuff..... it's not something that I would be interested in now, and at my age, probably never will be interested in.
The simplest part of the boombox is the amplifier. They sell them in complete modules now and all you need to do is design a power supply to power it, and voila, instant boombox. And of course we all know that these blutooth receivers are cheap and can be stuffed into a box requiring only a power supply and maybe an external button for pairing. Voila, instant bluetooth boombox. Although in reality, to me, it's not a boombox at all. It's a blutooth speaker.
I mean, everything that we've come to know and associate with boombox, from my era when I was growing up, is lots of controls, the more the better. And every boombox needs a radio and that cool antenna which shows that the unit means business. And of course it needs a cassette player too otherwise, it's just a radio. Then later came CD's too with units sporting AM/FM/CD/Cassette/Line-In... 5 or more functions. And as if a cassette player isn't enough, why not add TWO. Then there's the even that one that has 3 decks including a removable walkman type. And of course that iconic look, cassette player in the middle, tuner dial along the top edge, outboard speakers, telescoping antenna and the carry handle. Knobs, the more the better. Switches, the more the better.
But what has happended? NO CD. NO CASSETTE. NO AM. NO FM. NO ANTENNA and burglar alarm batteries. Oh and an off the shelf SUITCASE HANDLE instead of custom designed pieces for that particular gear. I mean, these look more DIY than a serious piece of gear. When I bring a boombox into the garage, I flip a switch and I got music. For these, YOU must supply the music so your portable device will always be tethered and of course if it's a playlist, then it goes over and over again instead of spontaneous music. With this, I need to decide do I want to tie up my phone and burn the battery or listen to the sounds of silence. Literally.
Why not the other stuff? Because they take a whole lot more engineering to design a box like that and that takes 95% of the entrepreneurs out of the picture. Tuner? Forget it, as that takes a whole lot more technical knowledge and challenge, although FM tuner modules do exist since it's the AM that requires the ferrite rod and FM can be almost single chipped. Almost.
Anyhow, like I said, I'm sure that the diamond box (and other similar type of boxes) do what they do and do it well. If you are having an outdoor party, there's no legacy boombox can touch it. But for a lot of the reasons that Transistorized already stated and the other stuff..... it's not something that I would be interested in now, and at my age, probably never will be interested in.
Reli
Boomus Fidelis
There's a few Bluetooth speakers with FM radio. But it's just a chip added to a generic $20 board with a generic class-D amp, a few inputs, and the EQ controls. Everything except the power supply is mounted on that one board. Then they connect an antenna wire and stretch it a few inches inside the boombox in the attempt to get some reception. Often the reception is crap, but in other cases like my DJ Tech, it's pretty decent.
Move over Bumpboxx, the DiamondBoxx XL blows it away for sound quality and sheer output power! 
https://youtu.be/EDEIpfgIV0E
https://youtu.be/EDEIpfgIV0E
Radio raheem
Requiem Æternam
id like one but you would need to be arnold s to carry it, as others have stated it's just a bluetooth speaker with no cassette cd or even radio so its way over priced for what it is, and honestly why the hell would you need something this loud, i used to go out with the m90 years ago and that was plenty loud enough, it was like a rave, so why would you need something this loud, just my opinion
samovar
Member (SA)
I think I agree with the majority of commentators, and especially with Superduper's thoughtful post. For me, a boombox should:
a) be endowed with at least handle, tuner, tape deck & aerial (line in/out, phono, mic etc being welcomed, but they come after)
b) have a lot of pointless
buttons, knobs, switches, keys VUs/leds/flashing lights & extras
c) use as many fancy names as possible for their functions (spatial, biphonic, ambience, wide, high-speed, synthesizer, loudness, DSL, XBS... the list is open-ended )
d) show at least some chrome &/or color
e) sound pretty crap (compared to a real hi-fi unit) but loud enough (it must boom)
f) look pimp & badass or, conversely, elegant and design-wise desireable
XXI century self-appointed boomboxes are in fact variations on the theme of the bluetooth speakers. They're OK but they don't have much to say to my undoubtedly limited/aging imagination
a) be endowed with at least handle, tuner, tape deck & aerial (line in/out, phono, mic etc being welcomed, but they come after)
b) have a lot of pointless
buttons, knobs, switches, keys VUs/leds/flashing lights & extrasc) use as many fancy names as possible for their functions (spatial, biphonic, ambience, wide, high-speed, synthesizer, loudness, DSL, XBS... the list is open-ended )
d) show at least some chrome &/or color
e) sound pretty crap (compared to a real hi-fi unit) but loud enough (it must boom)
f) look pimp & badass or, conversely, elegant and design-wise desireable
XXI century self-appointed boomboxes are in fact variations on the theme of the bluetooth speakers. They're OK but they don't have much to say to my undoubtedly limited/aging imagination
floyd
Boomus Fidelis
You know if I need portable power I just turn on the goddamn stereo in my jeep , it pretty much goes where I go and it'll demolish any boombox in loudness and sound quality .plus I can carry a decent size old skool box in it so wtf would I need any of these new contraptions.
Car stereo killed the boombox around 1988 , I mean I felt pretty fuming stupid standing there with a TRC 931 while a motherfuker with 4 15s comes pounding down the street.
Car stereo killed the boombox around 1988 , I mean I felt pretty fuming stupid standing there with a TRC 931 while a motherfuker with 4 15s comes pounding down the street.
Reli
Boomus Fidelis
The Diamondboxx is made for 2 types of people: Affluent 35-and-under tech-bros who drive a new Audi S5, BMW M3, or loaded Jeep Rubicon, and they just want the latest toy to show off. They don't know or care about vintage boxes.Rimmer36 said:
The second group is composed of serious musicians and street performers who would actually use it for what it's intended to do.
I respect it for what it is: Higher quality than most, with a beautiful front panel. As for being the best-sounding, well I certainly hope it is, considering it costs $1700.
The profit margin on today's boomboxes is probably way higher than it was in the 80's. Back then, with all that competition and all that tooling & design cost, I bet the profit margins were only 10-15%. Nowadays, with all the cheap Chinese components available, I bet the profit margins are 50% or more.
Transistorized
Member (SA)
Wow!
I was expecting to get Flamed for my thoughts of the XL. It's cool but I think the emphasis was placed so much on trying to out perform the Bumpboxx that they forgot the other things that make a boom box so special. The Bumpboxx isn't stereo, sounds a little muddy, has a weak tuner however, its loud, has thunderous bass, a radio, you can record off the radio or line ins onto USB or SD, has a wireless mic (great for karaoke), various inputs for guitar and other things, is flashy as hell with the meters, obviously Bluetooth, is portable enough to carry it around, lasts 12 hours or 5 to 6 full blast and even with no discounts is $499.....again $499. So for 1/3 of the price you can tolerate the slightly muddy mono sound. Honestly, I think it can sound quite clean once you EQ things a bit on your Bluetooth device. I was the first to discover it wasn't in stereo but only found out it wasn't stereo by the inputs and trying to fade L & R while using Bluetooth. I also enjoy the remote so I can sit and choose various inputs without getting up...lol...yes I know...I'm lazy but when your drinking beer and chatting with friends outside its nice not to have to keep walking back to the box..
Boomboxes were never intended to be about clarity much. Lets face it...they're made out of plastic for the most part. So even though I can appreciate a clear, loud, in your face box......the best modern box I have is the DJ-Tech box. You can record in stereo onto SD or USB from ANY input...even the radio and Bluetooth, you can adjust the bass and treble on the recording as well as volume levels. You can even mix all the available inputs together simutaneously and record those onto SD or USB on one track!!! It sounds decent, you can actually carry it around, has inputs and outputs out the wazoo, nice controls with that nice rotating resistance and centering locator (just like the good old days), metal selector buttons and a metal face along with polish aluminum speaker surrounds and METAL speaker grills, wood speaker enclosures, super efficient drivers with HUGE magnets and it was only $299. It will run 5 to 7 hours out of the box and 12hrs with a simple 5ah battery mod wide open and has a battery status indicator. It'll also charge your cell phone through the USB. Every day I go up to it and learn something new I could do that I didn't know before...it has that many features.
It's not a 120db machine but it thumps quite nicely. Nice practical box with loads of features and a price that won't break the bank.....wish more of these would start turning up.
I was expecting to get Flamed for my thoughts of the XL. It's cool but I think the emphasis was placed so much on trying to out perform the Bumpboxx that they forgot the other things that make a boom box so special. The Bumpboxx isn't stereo, sounds a little muddy, has a weak tuner however, its loud, has thunderous bass, a radio, you can record off the radio or line ins onto USB or SD, has a wireless mic (great for karaoke), various inputs for guitar and other things, is flashy as hell with the meters, obviously Bluetooth, is portable enough to carry it around, lasts 12 hours or 5 to 6 full blast and even with no discounts is $499.....again $499. So for 1/3 of the price you can tolerate the slightly muddy mono sound. Honestly, I think it can sound quite clean once you EQ things a bit on your Bluetooth device. I was the first to discover it wasn't in stereo but only found out it wasn't stereo by the inputs and trying to fade L & R while using Bluetooth. I also enjoy the remote so I can sit and choose various inputs without getting up...lol...yes I know...I'm lazy but when your drinking beer and chatting with friends outside its nice not to have to keep walking back to the box..
Boomboxes were never intended to be about clarity much. Lets face it...they're made out of plastic for the most part. So even though I can appreciate a clear, loud, in your face box......the best modern box I have is the DJ-Tech box. You can record in stereo onto SD or USB from ANY input...even the radio and Bluetooth, you can adjust the bass and treble on the recording as well as volume levels. You can even mix all the available inputs together simutaneously and record those onto SD or USB on one track!!! It sounds decent, you can actually carry it around, has inputs and outputs out the wazoo, nice controls with that nice rotating resistance and centering locator (just like the good old days), metal selector buttons and a metal face along with polish aluminum speaker surrounds and METAL speaker grills, wood speaker enclosures, super efficient drivers with HUGE magnets and it was only $299. It will run 5 to 7 hours out of the box and 12hrs with a simple 5ah battery mod wide open and has a battery status indicator. It'll also charge your cell phone through the USB. Every day I go up to it and learn something new I could do that I didn't know before...it has that many features.
It's not a 120db machine but it thumps quite nicely. Nice practical box with loads of features and a price that won't break the bank.....wish more of these would start turning up.
Ghettoboom767
Member (SA)
Wow what a great thread! I'm so in agreement with Norm here!! No FM,no AM,no cassette?! Then no stereo on the Bumbbox?! I was almost going to get one,now no way!!! I have to have true imaging and reproduction!!
My God Prince used old school boomboxes back in the day to listen to his cassettes after the studio sometimes to give it the real outside true to life real listening environment that where most if not all people listen to their music-outside.
No 1,700- no way and I don't care about weight I'm still strong I'll just carry a M-90 or WX-1 and I can have the best of both worlds and have lots of switches with wonderful sound. Heck I listen to 80/85% old school 80's music so the vintage is the way to go.
Yes I'm sure it blasts but no Tuner no cassette no antenna then NO it's not a boombox.😮ðŸ™ðŸ“»ðŸ“»ðŸ“»ðŸ“»ðŸ“»ðŸ“»ðŸŽ¶ðŸŽ¶ðŸŽ¶
My God Prince used old school boomboxes back in the day to listen to his cassettes after the studio sometimes to give it the real outside true to life real listening environment that where most if not all people listen to their music-outside.
No 1,700- no way and I don't care about weight I'm still strong I'll just carry a M-90 or WX-1 and I can have the best of both worlds and have lots of switches with wonderful sound. Heck I listen to 80/85% old school 80's music so the vintage is the way to go.
Yes I'm sure it blasts but no Tuner no cassette no antenna then NO it's not a boombox.😮ðŸ™ðŸ“»ðŸ“»ðŸ“»ðŸ“»ðŸ“»ðŸ“»ðŸŽ¶ðŸŽ¶ðŸŽ¶
It's understandable that a forum dedicated to vintage boomboxes wouldn't take too kindly to a music machine that isn't, well, a vintage boombox.
But as far as I'm concerned, any 'box' that produces the boom is a boombox, just not necessarily a 'vintage' boombox.
I think for outdoor heavy sessions, the DiamondBoxx XL would be a fantastic choice - just not worth $1700 to a domestic user though IMHO.
I love how they do their own thing though, much like the folks over at BumpBoxx.. These guys don't give a **** what the non enthusiasts think, they make gear for the crazy people who like it LOUD!!!!
I think the guys at DJTech pretty much got it right combining good performance with old school looks and styling. It's pity they don't seem to be producing any new products of this type.
But as far as I'm concerned, any 'box' that produces the boom is a boombox, just not necessarily a 'vintage' boombox.
I think for outdoor heavy sessions, the DiamondBoxx XL would be a fantastic choice - just not worth $1700 to a domestic user though IMHO.
I love how they do their own thing though, much like the folks over at BumpBoxx.
. These guys don't give a **** what the non enthusiasts think, they make gear for the crazy people who like it LOUD!!!! I think the guys at DJTech pretty much got it right combining good performance with old school looks and styling. It's pity they don't seem to be producing any new products of this type.
Lasonic TRC-920
Moderator
Superduper said:
As always Norm, your spot on the money, for the way I feel at least. I am 100% with you on this design. I'll give it to Diamond Boxx for pushing it to the limit with this thing. But it's not for me.
I'm going to say something that probably won't be very favorable, but I just want to get it off my back...
The guy who runs Diamond Boxx is a total a****h**le on social media. He has said very disparaging things about his direct competition (i.e. Bumpboxx, Aiwa) and when my brother and I contacted him about getting more info for Boombox Magazine (not asking for a radio), he initially responded and then commented on how small we were and totally blew us off. When we reached out again, he simply never replied. I tried repeatedly to reach out to him on Instagram and he just ignored us while clearly responding to others.
In comparison, the CEO of Aiwa provided FREE OF CHARGE a prototype unit from his own personal collection to be auctioned off last year to support the Las Vegas meet. Rob, CEO of Bumpboxx shipped FREE OF CHARGE a Bumpboxx to me and my brother to review in Boombox Magazine. Both of these companies have reached out DIRECTLY to this very forum to be involved, to ask questions, to learn and respond.
The guy from Diamond Boxx has put both of their products down and both of these men down with negative personal comments.
For me personally, I wish them the best of luck, because this is the first time in 30 years that there is a true boombox competition from multipal manufactures, going head to head. I love that. But I personally can't respect a company, whose owner is a jerk nor will I buy any of their products.
Also, I only collect derelict, crappy sounding, low end, plastic blasters
Styleking
Member (SA)
Here's my 2 cents (that no one in their right mind asked for). Anything made after 1990 is not a real boombox. The art and soul of a high quality portable unit had dwindled down in the late 80's into; who could produce it faster and cheaper regardless of appearance. The new wave of "boomboxes" are interesting and some are artful in appearance while others are not so much. The sound quality produced from most of the newer speakers is technically superior to what was made back in the day, that's called technology. The TDK 3 speaker, BumpBoxx, DJ Tech, Aiwa Exos and Diamondboxx all have their good qualities but none can be compared to a real boombox because "real" boomboxes aren't made any more.That being said... I'd love a Diamondboxx XL, I think it looks great for what it is and I'm not scared off by the weight. I know the price is steep but you might want to consider this: in 1984 a JVC M90 sold for $800, so in today's money, adjusted for inflation, that would equate to $1906!!! So technically the DIamondboxx XL is a steal! After all that, here's a picture of me last weekend at Old Silver Beach in Cape Cod with a real boombox!
Anything made after 1990 is not a real boombox. The art and soul of a high quality portable unit had dwindled down in the late 80's into; who could produce it faster and cheaper regardless of appearance. The new wave of "boomboxes" are interesting and some are artful in appearance while others are not so much. The sound quality produced from most of the newer speakers is technically superior to what was made back in the day, that's called technology. The TDK 3 speaker, BumpBoxx, DJ Tech, Aiwa Exos and Diamondboxx all have their good qualities but none can be compared to a real boombox because "real" boomboxes aren't made any more.That being said... I'd love a Diamondboxx XL, I think it looks great for what it is and I'm not scared off by the weight. I know the price is steep but you might want to consider this: in 1984 a JVC M90 sold for $800, so in today's money, adjusted for inflation, that would equate to $1906!!! So technically the DIamondboxx XL is a steal! After all that, here's a picture of me last weekend at Old Silver Beach in Cape Cod with a real boombox!
Lasonic TRC-920
Moderator
Great beard!Styleking said:Here's my 2 cents (that no one in their right mind asked for).C100F.jpg
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