Magnavox d8443 sound

[Zedman]

Hey Im hoping someone may be able to let me know if a D8443 has a decent sound when it is working.

Im considering getting this model- got any advice please fellas?

Z

 

[Terry]

Hey Im hoping someone may be able to let me know if a D8443 has a decent sound when it is working.

Im considering getting this model- got any advice please fellas?

Z

Decent compared to what?

The sound from these boxes is no M90, but it's a great carry round box. There's an issue with some of the plastic gears in the tape deck, they deteriorate and there are no replacements. It also needs to be in "record "for the line in to work. An FM transmitter on your ipod will sort that issue out.

Cool box, I would grab it if it's available.

Edit: Welcome to Boomboxery. Also I went to school in Canberra, Melrose High, then Erindale College.

 

[Zedman]

Hi Terry, thanks for the reply!

I dont have any other ghettoblaster model to compare it to so maybe I need to offer a bit more up.

Im wondering if there is a decent low frequecy excursion? I know these units are never gonna go as low or as loud as my Genelecs but hey I wanna get something that with some TLC I will be happy to listen to.

Theres one listed at the moment with a dud speaker- so Id need to do a repair which I can handle. I can see theres a fair differential in price with doing a bit of research but it looks like they are less available in Aussie and more expensive.

Z

 

[Northerner]

Its a lovely looking box (I have two) but it doesn't sound as good as its looks suggest...its not bad, its just not that good.

The two side speakers are real lightweights with a plastic frame. I've replaced them with modern speakers on one of mine and it does improve the sound quite a bit

Line in on both of mine (actually the Philips D8444 which is basically the same box) is crap...only good for recording, not for listening. But I use an FM transmitter which works well. Got one in my kitchen as a daily listen at the moment, so it can be that bad but I suppose I'm listening at lower volume levels in there, not blasting it like an M70! Its not bassy.

I'd definitely get one but only if its a reasonable price, not worth spending big money on imo

 

[Zedman]

Its a lovely looking box (I have two) but it doesn't sound as good as its looks suggest...its not bad, its just not that good.

The two side speakers are real lightweights with a plastic frame. I've replaced them with modern speakers on one of mine and it does improve the sound quite a bit

Line in on both of mine (actually the Philips D8444 which is basically the same box) is crap...only good for recording, not for listening. But I use an FM transmitter which works well. Got one in my kitchen as a daily listen at the moment, so it can be that bad but I suppose I'm listening at lower volume levels in there, not blasting it like an M70! Its not bassy.

I'd definitely get one but only if its a reasonable price, not worth spending big money on imo

OK thats great sorta stuff- thanks. I had been expecting that all the speakers would need replacement however there is always gonna be limitations on what you can achieve. I like fixing things and I like cool looking retro type stuff, however I am also pretty picky about decent audio. Im at the the lower extents of how much to invest. My upper budget is what most of the serious collectors would probably snigger at I.E. $300.

I can work around the line in quality issues- its pretty easy to pick up a tap point on the cassette/ radio selector switch most times. I really know nothing about what good models are and in particular those with good bass reproduction/ fidelity.

I was hoping that with larger speaker area this unit may have better SPL and possibly better bass. I gotta keep this small extravengance realatively cheap cause Ive already got too much recording and music equipment.......and Id rather spend dollars on microphones than going overboard on this latest flight of wimsy.

Z

 

[Northerner]

Yeh, if you're into proper audio I wouldn't expect too much from this box....the large speaker area is a bit misleading

And there's nothing wrong with doing this without spending much money...I collect on a very low spend rate as I've got other things to spend money on, plus I'm dead cheap

I've got some really good boxes but I've spent very little money indeed, most I've spent on a box is £70 which I think is about 100 australian dollars. Only paid £70 for my JVC M70 and that has tons of bass!!

Paid £70 for a mint D8444, but then £25 for a second (which I sold), then about £30 for the third which I modified...so in the UK at least its not an expensive box.

 

[Zedman]

Yeh, if you're into proper audio I wouldn't expect too much from this box....the large speaker area is a bit misleading

And there's nothing wrong with doing this without spending much money...I collect on a very low spend rate as I've got other things to spend money on, plus I'm dead cheap

I've got some really good boxes but I've spent very little money indeed, most I've spent on a box is £70 which I think is about 100 australian dollars. Only paid £70 for my JVC M70 and that has tons of bass!!

Paid £70 for a mint D8444, but then £25 for a second (which I sold), then about £30 for the third which I modified...so in the UK at least its not an expensive box.

Yeah Im now doing my research and diggin through a stack of old post and M70 keeps coming up. Id rather wait a bit and find something that is wortwhile doing some restoration on rather than rushing in. Still not sure that something like the new Lasonics wouldnt give the old stuff a run for its money.

I reckon youd still be able to repair an old ghetto blaster in another 20 years however I know whats gonna be inside Lasonic. Surface Mount Device printed circuit board made to last the length of warranty. SMD is terrible if you dont have access to a specialised soldering station. Great for bang for buck and features but I sem to be doing more and more SMD work and its a pain in the arse!

Z

 

[tshorba]

Im at the the lower extents of how much to invest. My upper budget is what most of the serious collectors would probably snigger at I.E. $300.

I really know nothing about what good models are and in particular those with good bass reproduction/ fidelity.

For your budget requirement I would look at a JVC Kaboom, good bass but a bit veiled in the higher frequencies due to the lack of tweeters.
Not an "old school" looking box but a good starting point and you will be happy with the bass. Unfortunately you just missed one on ebay that sold cheap but keep your eye out on ebay and gumtree

 

[Zedman]

Im at the the lower extents of how much to invest. My upper budget is what most of the serious collectors would probably snigger at I.E. $300.

I really know nothing about what good models are and in particular those with good bass reproduction/ fidelity.

For your budget requirement I would look at a JVC Kaboom, good bass but a bit veiled in the higher frequencies due to the lack of tweeters.
Not an "old school" looking box but a good starting point and you will be happy with the bass. Unfortunately you just missed one on ebay that sold cheap but keep your eye out on ebay and gumtree

OK thats another thing for me to look at- thanks!

Yes not an old school box- but maybe its time for me to come into the 21st century.

I get enough old school stuff to fix through work now. Its amazing how something properly engineered will keep kicking. I just serviced a power supply today that was commissioned in 1962- thats older than me and it still can be maintained!

Now why didnt anyone make an old school ghetto blaster in the 80's that had Bluetooth, solar recharging batteries, great sound, quality components, is servicable and I can pick up now for $30 off ebay!!!???

..............time to wake up~

actually time to sleep- 11.30pm now, and I leave for work at 7.30am and playing with 5.5 KV at 9.00am!

C ya

Z

 

[Northerner]

Yes not an old school box- but maybe its time for me to come into the 21st century.

Noooo...don't do it!!...old skool all the way!! Trouble with M70's is that they can be big bucks unless an awesome forum member takes pity on you and sells you one cheap that needed some work

Saying that, the Kaboom is a bass monster

 

[tshorba]

Trouble with M70's is that they can be big bucks unless an awesome forum member takes pity on you and sells you one cheap that needed some work

Trouble with M-70's is there isn't too many in Australia and when they do come up the generally go for decent coin, international postage alone would probably eat his budget Australia didn't get the distribution that the Americas or Europe did

Zedman, you might be able to get hold of an old member by the name of RockE. He was local to you and might have something left over, I think he is out of the collecting game now

 

[Zedman]

thanks tshorba. I can handle doing the work if needed- it would be a trip back to my long gone youth! However I dont want to pay top dollar and have to do the work as well.

I really do like the old school style and am willing to forgo bass so I will most likely take my time and wait for the right opportunity.

I expect its unlikely a member will take pity on me as Im the noob so maybe another approach I could take is to offer part exchange of tech services??? Its probably of limited appeal though as I observe a strong amount of DIY ethic within Boomboxery which is excellent to see!

I know that some units from the 80's would use better materials/ components that will still have a good life span. Unfortunately most things that are purchased theese days do not- thats hwat keeps me busy in part! I still have my old Sony Walkman screwdriver and daily it proves to me that quality just lasts. This little blue screwdriver is still doing the do after 24 years of use. Quality lasts however what is judged as quality has changed over the years and it now does not weigh as heavily in the design and purchase cycle of most products.

Id prefer to get something that has a sound that is pleasing to the ear, however I do realise we are talking about boomboxes which have their own characteristic sound. If I want to really listen to music with some high fidelity (hi-fi! ) I will go into my studio.

Im after something to listen to as I sit round the campfire at night, drinking tinnies (old school) with my Homes.

Z

 

[TheDogHouse]

Its a lovely looking box (I have two) but it doesn't sound as good as its looks suggest...its not bad, its just not that good.

The two side speakers are real lightweights with a plastic frame. I've replaced them with modern speakers on one of mine and it does improve the sound quite a bit

Line in on both of mine (actually the Philips D8444 which is basically the same box) is crap...only good for recording, not for listening. But I use an FM transmitter which works well. Got one in my kitchen as a daily listen at the moment, so it can be that bad but I suppose I'm listening at lower volume levels in there, not blasting it like an M70! Its not bassy.

I'd definitely get one but only if its a reasonable price, not worth spending big money on imo

Just have to ask: what is actually the difference between D8444 and D8443?

I have one D8444 myself...

 

[blu_fuz]

With your $300 budget and an "ear" for some quality sound, you really should not get the Magnavox D8443 .

$300 is a lot of money to buy you a quality boomer with .


I can think of at least 15 other boomboxes to get .

-Lasonic 931
-Lasonic 920
-Clairtone/Rising 20/20
-Blockbuster
-SCR-8
-TDK 2 or 3 speaker
-Bolt Box
-M70


and many more

 

[Northerner]

Its a lovely looking box (I have two) but it doesn't sound as good as its looks suggest...its not bad, its just not that good.

The two side speakers are real lightweights with a plastic frame. I've replaced them with modern speakers on one of mine and it does improve the sound quite a bit

Line in on both of mine (actually the Philips D8444 which is basically the same box) is crap...only good for recording, not for listening. But I use an FM transmitter which works well. Got one in my kitchen as a daily listen at the moment, so it can be that bad but I suppose I'm listening at lower volume levels in there, not blasting it like an M70! Its not bassy.

I'd definitely get one but only if its a reasonable price, not worth spending big money on imo

Just have to ask: what is actually the difference between D8444 and D8443?

I have one D8444 myself...

The Philips D8444 is the same box as the Magnavox D8443 I understand

 

[Northerner]

With your $300 budget and an "ear" for some quality sound, you really should not get the Magnavox D8443 .

$300 is a lot of money to buy you a quality boomer with .


I can think of at least 15 other boomboxes to get .

-Lasonic 931
-Lasonic 920
-Clairtone/Rising 20/20
-Blockbuster
-SCR-8
-TDK 2 or 3 speaker
-Bolt Box
-M70


and many more

 

[Reli]

Australia is much cheaper than Europe or the US to find good boxes. In the US you would pay $350-400 for an M70 in good shape.

Personally I would look for a Crown 850, it's got better bass than the Magnavox. Only average build quality though. If you want something that sounds good AND has top-notch build quality, look for a Sanyo M9994. Its controls are hifi quality.

 

[blu_fuz]

^ I agree on the Crown and the Sanyo M9994. I was SHOCKED by the quality of the Sanyo

 

[Zedman]

Hey Fellas, thanks heaps for the words of wisdom. I can see that this must be a decent place to hang if you actually give a noob a break and help istead of flaming.

I will keep a look out for the models listed though about the only place I can see boxes to purchase from is ebay ATM.

Im still resisting the urge to jump straight in and buy something, when the time is right I will hopefully get a good unit.

Z

 

[blu_fuz]

It is worth waiting for the right box to come along. Your searching will never end, even when you already have a good sounding boombox


Good luck!