Need the 411 on the (Sharp GF-) 9696!

[analogboi]

Hello Boombox Bros,

I have been given a chance to purchase a Sharp GF-9696. The boombox is very clean, not mint, but exceptionally nice. I have been looking for a GF-9696 for a long time! Only "negative" on this particular example, is the boombox is missing one speaker grille. This doesn't particularly bother me as the GF-9696 will be displayed without it's grilles. So here's the kicker. The seller is asking $650 firm. Too much??

Thoughts welcome! Thanks!

 

[hemiguy2006]

Seems a bit steep. And even though not a big deal,
but missing a grill as well?! For that price I would pass

 

[Reli]

They go for $450 - 600 on ebay in nice condition........So personally I'd say it's too steep

 

[baddboybill]

I believe we also have a member here ( Mcdommino) who has one he may be willing to sell. Same way with one grill missing!!! But he is from Germany so shipping would be higher!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MONOLITHIC]

Yeah, don't buy that box 'cause the price is too high even with both grills intact!!

The bass is on the weak side but it is a very good sounding box tho!

Definitely recommend getting one!!

Good luck!

 

[analogboi]

Thanks for the comments so far!

I think it IS a little much for this boombox, but I notice prices have been crazy lately. If it's a $450 dollar box, but I pay $650 for it, I just have to sell $200 dollars worth of stuff on Ebay.

Wait...isn't that how someone with an addiction rationalizes their habit? :grim:

It's the styling on the GF-9696 that does it for me. With the high-powered amp, I'm sure it's a loud box. But I've also heard it's not the best sounding. So, I kinda know what I'm getting into...

Curious to hear what others might think!

 

[Reli]

When you say high-powered amp, are you talking about how some 9696's say 40W on the front? I wouldn't pay attention to that, since there's no way that's a true RMS rating. In fact, there's another version of that box that says 26W, and everyone says it sounds the same as the 40W one!

It's one of the best looking boxes though, that's for sure

 

[analogboi]

Yep...this 9696 says 40W on front.

I know that's BS anyway, the schematic says 11W RMS per channel with batteries, and 13W RMS per channel powered from AC (so the real power is 22W and 26W total). Still, that's quite a bit when most boomboxes have half (or less) than that.

What I meant by "high-powered" is the amp is a BTL design like the M70 or M90. They tend to have a little more horsepower.

...and can you believe I have the schematic before I have the boombox?

 

[skippy1969]

Yeah, don't buy that box 'cause the price is too high even with both grills intact!!

The bass is on the weak side but it is a very good sounding box tho!

Definitely recommend getting one!!

Good luck!

I agree 100% Mono.........

 

[Reli]

...and can you believe I have the schematic before I have the boombox?

Nothing wrong with that.....
If and when you ever sell your 9696, including the schematic with it makes fools on ebay think you're the original owner

 

[BoomboxLover48]

I have a GF9696 and I love the sound quality.

In most cases people just turn the woofer bass control under the grill to max. This will cause lots of distortion if the main bass control is also set to max. If one adjust the bass control under the speaker grills to average levels, this boombox sounds amazing!! The treble is better than GF777. I bought one brand new in 1982. This box was got damaged in a move. The quality of Sharp boxes are excellent!

The woofer is not that great on this box. Its not like the JVC M70 woofers.

If anyone say it sounds bad... (they have a bad one it needs repair)

I love my GF9696!

If it is in mint condition only go for the $600 price range.

 

[MONOLITHIC]

Yep...this 9696 says 40W on front.

I know that's BS anyway, the schematic says 11W RMS per channel with batteries, and 13W RMS per channel powered from AC (so the real power is 22W and 26W total). Still, that's quite a bit when most boomboxes have half (or less) than that.

What I meant by "high-powered" is the amp is a BTL design like the M70 or M90. They tend to have a little more horsepower.

...and can you believe I have the schematic before I have the boombox?

Yeah, that box is VERY loud!! I've never had the chance to turn mine up even close to halfway tho!