Sharp GF-9090 Trifecta Winner!

[Lasonic TRC-920]

So, recently I got a Sharp GF-9090 from Kenpat. My only other Sharp's are the 777z and the VZ2000. Both of those are just unique behemoths. I just wasn't sure what the 9090 would sound like.

There were a few things that surprised me....

First, the size of the speakers. 5.5 inch speakers in a Smaller Mid sized box! This thing ain't light either



But what really has shown me this radio is world class is the way it behaves in many different listening situations...

For instance...
I set up on FM radio in the kitchen while my wife and I made dinner....low volume, easy music, loudness on, bass 3/4+, treble 1/2, volume low. Full Range background music. Sounded Amazing!




Then later on in the night, my wife wanted to watch her "Programs" so I grabbed a few beers, head for the garage, 9090 in hand!



This time, line in, some hot new tracks my buddy sent me. Turn off the loudness, pull back the bass to 1/2, treble to 3/4, hit the volume and WOW this thing is LOUD!

No Distortion



I push the bass up no prob, I push the treble up and it just starts coming to LIFE!

The highs on this radio are like NOTHING I have ever heard. They just keep going and going, Brighter and Brighter....Still...No Distortion!

Now, Bass 3/4, Treble 5/8 and I reach for the volume again.....Gotta find out what the limits are....

To My surprise, right where all other radios break up, fall off or turn to mud.....She Just Gets Louder!

I MEAN LOUD!

Up close, it's too much....it's just screaming!

5 steps back....full range of sound, good mid bass and crisp highs!

I could easily see this being a beach box! Something that can get the volume over the surf...


The only other radio's that I have that hit this trifecta of great low volume tone, great loud volume and then get REALLY LOUD are the M70 and TRC-920 and they are both bigger!



Recently I have been camping with the M70 because I can't fit a bigger radio in my camper and it can beat back the surf while camping at the beach....might have a new toy to try out....PLUS Full Shortwave!

 

[baddboybill]

Very cool Chris I had the 9191 and loved the looks of it. As for sound I wasn't very impressed but I also had the 9494 and liked that box a whole bunch better. I guess to each his own . Great write up though

 

[Reli]

Must sound better than the 9191 then, because I've got 2 of those and their highs are muddled.

 

[jimmyjimmy19702010]

Great right up Chris. I haven't spent much time with a 9090 but it sounds very similar to my low mileage 9292. Whilst not a bass monster, it's mids and highs are just so loud it does tend to out power my other mid size boxes with it's 10Watts per channel output.

My 9292 sounds really strong outdoors too unlike most of my other smaller boxes.
My Sanyo M9990 does pump out stronger bass but with much less power, it's runs out of steam long before the 9292.

One feature that's great with the 9090 is a line in and that stainless top plate does IMHO look better than the 9191 / 9292 painted plastic panel.

Nice score and keep up those mini reviews, they're great!

James...

 

[Beosystem10]

I very much like the way that the 9090 looks. Its black dustcaps give the impression that you're being stared at by a giant toad - but in a friendly way.
Your review has compounded my desire to add one to my far too rapidly expanding collection. Dammit!

 

[Northerner]

Nice review

I've got a 9090 but to be honest of all my GF's, and I have a few, its the one I listen to least...might have to take it off the shelf and give it a blast again see if I've changed my view. Do like its look...I like the simple flat fascia and it does have a good solid heavy feel to it plus the obligatory twin aerials

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

Thanks Guys...For me, it's tough to get my head past the classic view of Boomboxes that only bigger is better or only Big is Loud! That's just not always the case and something I was reminded of with this radio.

Another thing I forgot to mention is, when the volume is at mid level, in between songs, there is NO HISS! It is completely quiet. The circuitry on this thing is so damn clean. It really blows me away!

Even though it's clean enough to be a shelf queen....this radio is getting some face time!

 

[systemaddict]

great review on a sweet box, always loved the sound of the 9090, now ya need to get a Philips d8614 Chris and be even more blown away

 

[TsEtSoMaN]

It's a very solid and nice sounding box. Love the robot looks.

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

great review on a sweet box, always loved the sound of the 9090, now ya need to get a Philips d8614 Chris and be even more blown away

If I get the opportunity...I will pick one up! So far, member recommendations have ALL panned out!

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

It's a very solid and nice sounding box. Love the robot looks.

IMGP2345.JPG

This is interesting to me, same model number, 9090, different speaker grill???? Wild

 

[Beosystem10]

If the sound of the 9090 astounded your ears, just wait 'til you hear the box that let me borrow its name to use as a forum handle:

Four Inch full range rubber-suspended long travel speakers, the left one slightly lower to accommodate the transport motor and still leave room for a proper enclosure inside the slim, aluminium chassis that extends over the scale to form the handle, loads of clean sound right up to the end stop, at which point it starts shuffling backwards toward the wall behind it and still doesn't clip noticeably.
It's the box that I always use to demonstrate to visitors that cassettes can still sound good, even if they're Woolworth own brand ones from the '70s that were recorded from records on a Collaro (so bad that they make BSR changers sound good) idler drive deck with a grumbly main bearing and a crystal cartridge!

I'd swap my BS10 for a 9090 any time though......



















......... Nah, I need to have one of each.

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

......... Nah, I need to have one of each.

Oh, So True!

I like the looks of that bad boy, so clean looking, a real sleeper!

 

[Ghettoboom767]

Nice one Chris! It's on my list for sure! Someone needs to sell me one
this fall!
Yours looks nice!

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

These are on Yahoo.jp as GF-303's or GF-305's I believe. They usually go for cheap, but of course its the shipping that hurts

 

[Sazeus]

I have the one with the plastic speaker grills, sadly she needs work and I'm yet to figure out what she needs.

 

[oldskool69]

Great score Chris! I like the looks as well. These could come in handy to tote around. I have too many heavyweights that can't make it out of the BASSment with causing me injury.

 

[TsEtSoMaN]

This is interesting to me, same model number, 9090, different speaker grill???? Wild

Mine is 9090x,the version for East Asia I think.

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

Great score Chris! I like the looks as well. These could come in handy to tote around. I have too many heavyweights that can't make it out of the BASSment with causing me injury.

You know, it's funny you say that....I just ordered a new strap from Blu_Fuz so I can start using these midsized radio's more, because the big ones are killin' me! After seeing THAFUZZ's Wheely (I still want one) I just don't know about hauling that thing around!

Mine is 9090x,the version for East Asia I think.

OK, so is your's Japanese 100v?

 

[Eddy]

Good review Chris , i would expect sound was the same as on a GF 9191.
I have a GF 9191 but got to try to get a GF9090 now