Opinions on Best Boombox in several Categories?

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maxhifi

maxhifi

Member (SA)
I'm thinking about buying a classic boombox, and would like to get some opinions about what are the relative advantages and disadvantages of various brands. Rather than just ask "what's the one to buy/" I will break it down into categories, and then I can try to find the compromise which suits me best. Here goes

1. Brand with best sounding tape deck?
2. Brand with most reliable tape deck?
3. Brand with best tuner?
4. Brand with best speakers?
5. Brand with best amplifier?
6. Brand with most durable case?
7. Best Styling?
8. Best Bass?
9. Best Frequency response - most balanced sounding?
8. Best value i.e. today's cost versus above?

So far it's looking like everyone loves the early JVC decks best. I have personally always been impressed with the features and performance of Panasonic and Sony equipment. Am interested to see what people here think.
 
Reli

Reli

Boomus Fidelis
The problem with brands is, that one brand can make a model with poor bass and another with great bass. Take Panasonic for example, the RX-5150 has weak bass, but the 5250 has good bass.

For sheer reliability, I think Panasonic is the best, but that's just my opinion. And JVC & Aiwa tuners tend to be the most sensitive (they pull in the most stations).

Your best bet is to focus on styling first. Search through photos and see what kind of styling you like, make a list of those models, and then ask us whether they sound/perform good.
 
Fatdog

Fatdog

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Here are my opinions:

1. Brand with best sounding tape deck?
My JVC RC-M70 has the best tape deck of all my boomboxes, plus it's super easy to rebelt.

2. Brand with most reliable tape deck?
See #1

3. Brand with best tuner?
I've had great experiences with Pioneer and JVC, especially my PC-55.

4. Brand with best speakers?
For me it would either be Aiwa or JVC.

5. Brand with best amplifier?
Based on the brands I've heard, I would say Sharp, Panasonic, and JVC.

6. Brand with most durable case?
Hmmm

7. Best Styling?
Sanyo and Panasonic.

8. Best Bass?
JVC

9. Best Frequency response - most balanced sounding?
For my money, the Sharp GX-300 has some of the best sound around (to my ears).

10. Best value i.e. today's cost versus above?
Sanyo or JVC
 
Gluecifer

Gluecifer

Member (SA)
And now for something completely different

90% of what you're asking is down to personal taste and not really absolutes.
One thing you learn after collecting boomboxes for a while is that almost every box, down to the most cheaply produced unit has something to love about it.
If there was one brand or one model that did 'everything perfectly' then most of us would have pretty boring collections.

Browse around here, find out what you personally like based on what you see and read, and you'll be on the right track cause really there's no 'wrong' track with collecting boomboxes. And like all things, to collect boomboxes to any kind of satisfaction all you need is passion and patience.



Rock On.
 
devol-toni

devol-toni

Member (SA)
You can try this: just buy couple (100) of boomboxes and boom them, then you will easy decide what brand and categories is best for you :yes: :lol:
But keep in mind that when you cross number 2 in your collections... then,.....you'll never return in to normal people, you will always be recognized like an inveterate collector of boomboxes :lol: :super: :afro: :breakdance:
 
maxhifi

maxhifi

Member (SA)
Reli said:
The problem with brands is, that one brand can make a model with poor bass and another with great bass. Take Panasonic for example, the RX-5150 has weak bass, but the 5250 has good bass.

For sheer reliability, I think Panasonic is the best, but that's just my opinion. And JVC & Aiwa tuners tend to be the most sensitive (they pull in the most stations).

Your best bet is to focus on styling first. Search through photos and see what kind of styling you like, make a list of those models, and then ask us whether they sound/perform good.
Click to expand...

All I'm looking for is opinions... and free ones at that! After all it';s a 25 year old boom box, not a navigation system for a 747, however maybe I am being too simplistic here.

My favorite category from a looks perspective has always been the one piece compact models from the 80s, which are long and low... with a long handle across the entire length of the boombox, double cassette decks in the middle, tuner above, and ~4" speakers on either end. I remember some of them having autoreverse, dolby, automatic music search, and lots of inputs and output jacks. Also in colours like red, or grey, and not just black or silver.

A lot of cheap models also came in this configuration, but I seem to remember some good ones too.
 
devol-toni

devol-toni

Member (SA)
Gluecifer said:
And now for something completely different

90% of what you're asking is down to personal taste and not really absolutes.
One thing you learn after collecting boomboxes for a while is that almost every box, down to the most cheaply produced unit has something to love about it.
If there was one brand or one model that did 'everything perfectly' then most of us would have pretty boring collections.

Browse around here, find out what you personally like based on what you see and read, and you'll be on the right track cause really there's no 'wrong' track with collecting boomboxes. And like all things, to collect boomboxes to any kind of satisfaction all you need is passion and patience.



Rock On.
Click to expand...

Amen to that Rick :agree:
 
maxhifi

maxhifi

Member (SA)
Fatdog said:
Here are my opinions:

1. Brand with best sounding tape deck?
My JVC RC-M70 has the best tape deck of all my boomboxes, plus it's super easy to rebelt.

2. Brand with most reliable tape deck?
See #1

3. Brand with best tuner?
I've had great experiences with Pioneer and JVC, especially my PC-55.

4. Brand with best speakers?
For me it would either be Aiwa or JVC.

5. Brand with best amplifier?
Based on the brands I've heard, I would say Sharp, Panasonic, and JVC.

6. Brand with most durable case?
Hmmm

7. Best Styling?
Sanyo and Panasonic.

8. Best Bass?
JVC

9. Best Frequency response - most balanced sounding?
For my money, the Sharp GX-300 has some of the best sound around (to my ears).

10. Best value i.e. today's cost versus above?
Sanyo or JVC
Click to expand...


OK score one JVC - I've been noticing a trend about JVC, thinking about it though I'm not surprised the inventor of VHS made good audio cassette decks too!
 
maxhifi

maxhifi

Member (SA)
Gluecifer said:
And now for something completely different

90% of what you're asking is down to personal taste and not really absolutes.
One thing you learn after collecting boomboxes for a while is that almost every box, down to the most cheaply produced unit has something to love about it.
If there was one brand or one model that did 'everything perfectly' then most of us would have pretty boring collections.

Browse around here, find out what you personally like based on what you see and read, and you'll be on the right track cause really there's no 'wrong' track with collecting boomboxes. And like all things, to collect boomboxes to any kind of satisfaction all you need is passion and patience.



Rock On.
Click to expand...

I've been collecting old hi-fi equipment for many years, so I know exactly what you mean. When I first get something the most fun is restoring it to original condition... then after that I bring it out and enjoy it once in a while.

That said, if I asked a hi-fi form who made the best cassette deck, the overwheliming answer would be "nakamichi", then a bunch of other subjective opinions, etc. My intention here is to dig up some opinions since this is a product category I am not very familiar with beyond memories from the 80s and early 90s
 
maxhifi

maxhifi

Member (SA)
devol-toni said:
You can try this: just buy couple (100) of boomboxes and boom them, then you will easy decide what brand and categories is best for you :yes: :lol:
But keep in mind that when you cross number 2 in your collections... then,.....you'll never return in to normal people, you will always be recognized like an inveterate collector of boomboxes :lol: :super: :afro: :breakdance:
Click to expand...

haha yes, I think "normal people" is in my past anyway... you have to be a bit eccentric to be a collector, after all most people would think it's crazy to look beyond the latest ipod dock, etc.
 
Fatdog

Fatdog

Well-Known Member
Staff member
If you are looking at one-piece, compact models, I would definitely go with Sanyo. Some of the Sanyo M7*** series minis are the most desirable minis on the planet. Good Sanyo boomboxes aren't really powerhouses, but they always have a nice, smooth sound.
 
maxhifi

maxhifi

Member (SA)
Fatdog said:
If you are looking at one-piece, compact models, I would definitely go with Sanyo. Some of the Sanyo M7*** series minis are the most desirable minis on the planet. Good Sanyo boomboxes aren't really powerhouses, but they always have a nice, smooth sound.
Click to expand...

ah-ha, something like this? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sanyo-Stereo-Bo ... 20c4ef207a

That's the general style I was thinking about, however I think that particular model is a bit plain in terms of features, and maybe overpriced considering it doesn't work.

I think I was so sold on the "it's a sony" campaign back in the 80s, I discounted Sanyo as an inferior product. I'm glad I'm asking some questions.
 
L

lilo777

Member (SA)
There is another huge variable in this assessment - time. The answers to your questions will vary depending on whether we are talking about mid/late 70s, early/mid or late 80s.
 
maxhifi

maxhifi

Member (SA)
lilo777 said:
There is another huge variable in this assessment - time. The answers to your questions will vary depending on whether we are talking about mid/late 70s, early/mid or late 80s.
Click to expand...

Now that is hard to answer - could go either way
 
im_alan_partridge

im_alan_partridge

Member (SA)
One of my favourite boxes which may not be "the best" in any one particular category but ticks lots of boxes for me is the Sharp GF-9000, good size, weight, sound and looks.

:dj-party:
 
maxhifi

maxhifi

Member (SA)
im_alan_partridge said:
One of my favourite boxes which may not be "the best" in any one particular category but ticks lots of boxes for me is the Sharp GF-9000, good size, weight, sound and looks.

:dj-party:
Click to expand...

Does it have Dolby NR? Actually I am not sure what it even matters with a boombox, but most of my cassettes are recorded with Dolby B. It sure looks good on a quick google image search..
 
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