OK.. stick with me as this might be quite a long post..
i just received the Pioneer Steez Crew.. and made a video comparing it to the new Sharp GX-M10 boombox.. link will be at the bottom.. sorry about the "thrushing" sound in portions of the video.. the mic was on the bottom of my Xoom and forgot it was there.. so my fingers would brush over it..
ALRIGHT! LETS GET THE PARTY STARTED!
i am lucky enough to have owned most of the new generation boomboxes.. these include..
ALTEC LANSING IMT-800
JVC RV-NB50
TDK LIFE ON RECORD (ALL 3 MODELS)
SHARP GX-M10
PIONEER STEEZ CREW
group photo (minus Altec and JVC)
ok lets get to the meat and potatoes.. i could go into great lengths describing the sound of each.. but what we all want to know.. what is the best of the modern boomboxes?
well if your a big bass hound like me.. then pretty much all of them will fill that request.. but how do they sound next to the King of Bass? the "vintage" JVC Kaboom? most of us have heard one of them and nothing has come close to putting out the clean low bass the Kaboom is known for.. untill now that is..
SHARP GX-M10
lets start with the newest of the "next generation" of boomboxes.. the Sharp GX-M10.. yea yea.. your probably tired of me praising this orange/bronze monster.. sure it's odd looking.. but that odd look serves a point.. you think Sharp didnt do thier homework on the design? obviously it's a design that works.. and works excellent.. the Sharp takes many hints and clues from the JVC Kaboom.. if it aint broke.. so the JVC uses 6-1/2 inch subs.. the Sharp uses 5-1/8 inch subs.. is there a difference in bass? nope.. none at all.. if anything the Sharp exceeds the JVC Kaboom but it's awefully close.. at low volumes they both turn out the bass.. but the Sharp turns out just a hair more.. at higher volumes.. the Sharp destroys the JVC.. yep i said it.. the JVC has met it's match.. the JVC will always have a place in my heart.. i have owned to many to count.. but now there's a new sheriff in town.. i honestly didnt think that any company was going to bother making anymore decent modern boomboxes.. well kudos to Sharp.. not only did they make a new boombox.. but one that is of high quality and great sound.. (not biased am i) to sum up the Sharp in one word.. FUN!
PIONEER STEEZ CREW
yep this was out of my price range for quite awhile.. finally it reached a price i could justify buying one.. am i happy with it? weeelll.. not really.. if you watch the video you will see some things that really throw me off about the Pioneer.. laptop based power supply.. USB in the back covered by a removeable and easily lost cover (only the power jack has the rubber piece attatched to the main unit) the other cover just comes right off.. and since most of the things you need are behind the cover.. anyways lets move onto the sound.. one thing i do give Pioneer kudos for is the inclusion of real tweeters.. sure the TDK and Altec have tweeters.. but in this form factor.. niether the JVC or Sharp has these.. bass was not as exciting as from some of the other modern boomboxes.. and there is no EQ controls or bass settings.. kinda disapointing.. sure with an IPOD you can adjust the sound through there EQ.. but if you use a USB drive your SOL.. also it uses foam surrounds for the subs instead of rubber butyl that the JVC and Sharp use.. and there are no bass ports.. without these 2 things bass just isnt as profound.. mids and highs are fine though.. sorry Pioneer.. your Steez is no bass machine.. to sum the Pioneer in one word.. STYLE..
ALTEC LANSING IMT-800/810
ahh Altec.. many praises befall you.. and for good reason.. the IMT-800 is in it's own league.. tiny but nasty! (in a great way) lets face it.. Altec got it right.. small.. easy to carry.. remote.. 3 way speakers.. last forever on batteries.. 7 band EQ.. oh and the SOUND! mad props to Altec.. if there was only one other that can compete in the tiny bass machine catagory it would be the TDK Sound Cube.. and the TDK gets most of it right.. biggest issue with the TDK? remote.. never thought it would be a big deal.. but my old ass does not like gettin up to lower/raise foward/reverse anything! dont get me wrong.. the TDK Sound Cube is a very impressive little boomer that i will go into detail when i get to the TDK's i'll sum it up the Altec in one word.. PERFECT..
TDK LIFE ON RECORD SERIES
TDK.. whoever imagined they would make a kick ass line of boomboxes? certainly not me.. lets face it.. the 3 speaker Tower of Power is a fantastic/impressive looking black beast with tons of chic/sophistication.. great looks with great sound? check.. bass in spades? check.. where it falters is in the lack of remote.. also the bass can be way to powerful.. wierd to say that but it's true.. also in order to hear it at it's best potential you need to crank the volume past the halfway mark.. love the sleek touch screen and spectrum EQ.. it is also the heaviest of the lot.. nearly 34 pounds!.. but alot of quality went into that 34 pounds.. solid alunimum handle piano finish front.. heavy duty speakers.. i'll sum the TDK 3 speaker in one word.. POWERFUL..
TDK 2 SPEAKER
Well describing the TDK 2 speaker model is quite easy.. think of it as a modern version of a JVC M70/panny 5150.. right size.. easy to carry.. smooth not harsh sounding.. the perfect modern boombox to take to the beach/park.. not a bass machine in the least.. think of it as the porrage in the red riding hood story.. just right.. i'll sum up this boombox in one word.. CHILLIN
TDK SOUND CUBE
you know when you go to the park and you see a cute little squirrel and you want to just pet and snuggle it.. then it turns into a pitbull? well thats the TDK Sound Cube in a nut shell.. sure it looks tiny and innocent.. then you turn it on and WOW! yep this little momma can crank! 2 5-1/4 inch co-axial woofers and 2 passive radiators.. phhhfft right.. no way that can put outt the bass.. oh yes it can.. big time.. dont let the little size fool you.. it actually has better smoother bass than the 3 speaker model! i kid you not! i know.. i know.. you think i'm on crack.. but i really mean it when i say this little monster has some serious bottom end.. the only reason it loses to the Altec is the lack of remote.. i use this liitle guy most of the time at my job.. and everyone is shocked at the bass output.. and to make it even sweeter is the price.. you can buy one now on Epay for $105.. best.. deal.. ever.. so if you have a few bucks to spare.. this little momma will not disapoint.. if i can sum this TDK in one word.. GGGRRRROOOWWWLLL!
JVC KABOOM (NEWER SERIES)
Well of all the modern boomers.. this is the one i really was very disapointed in.. i did a review on this in Febuary 2010.. as soon as it arrived in the states i snagged one from Amazon.. i was soo excited! JVC with enclosed IPOD dock and USB sweet! well lets just say JVC seriously took a dump on the Kaboom series with this turd.. Made in China... sure some items like the Altec are made in China.. but there standards are vastly better than the JVC.. JVC went cheap plain and simple.. cashing in on the Kaboom legacy.. shame on them.. here's the link to my review viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3502&hilit=rv+nb50 if i could sum up one word for the JVC Kaboom ASHAMED
OK so there you have it.. i hope you enjoyed my views on the new generation of boomboxes.. i do not nor expect to own the other new boomboxes including the next gen of TDK bluetooth models or the only other decent boombox the IHome Ip4 (has gotten pretty good reviews) so sorry..
so as far as quality vs. price
these are must haves..
Altec Lansing IMT-800/810 go for under $200 as of this post..
Sharp GX-M10 $250 w/ free shipping form ABT Electronics (currently out of stock) bummer.. $150 in europe (lucky bastages)
TDK Sound Cube $99/105 Ebay.. various online stores also
TDK 3 speaker boombox $250 on Ebay
i cannot recommend
PIONEER STEEZ Sonic Elecronics $280 w/ free shipping if goes under $200 then yes..
JVC RV-NB50/70 $250/300
TDK 2 speaker model $140/160 (further price drop say to $120 would make it a excellent deal..
hope you enjoyed my post!
link to Sharp vs. Pioneer video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_DanmoLsfk (again sorry for the thrushing noise in the video)
some random pics..
i just received the Pioneer Steez Crew.. and made a video comparing it to the new Sharp GX-M10 boombox.. link will be at the bottom.. sorry about the "thrushing" sound in portions of the video.. the mic was on the bottom of my Xoom and forgot it was there.. so my fingers would brush over it..
ALRIGHT! LETS GET THE PARTY STARTED!
i am lucky enough to have owned most of the new generation boomboxes.. these include..
ALTEC LANSING IMT-800
JVC RV-NB50
TDK LIFE ON RECORD (ALL 3 MODELS)
SHARP GX-M10
PIONEER STEEZ CREW
group photo (minus Altec and JVC)
ok lets get to the meat and potatoes.. i could go into great lengths describing the sound of each.. but what we all want to know.. what is the best of the modern boomboxes?
well if your a big bass hound like me.. then pretty much all of them will fill that request.. but how do they sound next to the King of Bass? the "vintage" JVC Kaboom? most of us have heard one of them and nothing has come close to putting out the clean low bass the Kaboom is known for.. untill now that is..
SHARP GX-M10
lets start with the newest of the "next generation" of boomboxes.. the Sharp GX-M10.. yea yea.. your probably tired of me praising this orange/bronze monster.. sure it's odd looking.. but that odd look serves a point.. you think Sharp didnt do thier homework on the design? obviously it's a design that works.. and works excellent.. the Sharp takes many hints and clues from the JVC Kaboom.. if it aint broke.. so the JVC uses 6-1/2 inch subs.. the Sharp uses 5-1/8 inch subs.. is there a difference in bass? nope.. none at all.. if anything the Sharp exceeds the JVC Kaboom but it's awefully close.. at low volumes they both turn out the bass.. but the Sharp turns out just a hair more.. at higher volumes.. the Sharp destroys the JVC.. yep i said it.. the JVC has met it's match.. the JVC will always have a place in my heart.. i have owned to many to count.. but now there's a new sheriff in town.. i honestly didnt think that any company was going to bother making anymore decent modern boomboxes.. well kudos to Sharp.. not only did they make a new boombox.. but one that is of high quality and great sound.. (not biased am i) to sum up the Sharp in one word.. FUN!
PIONEER STEEZ CREW
yep this was out of my price range for quite awhile.. finally it reached a price i could justify buying one.. am i happy with it? weeelll.. not really.. if you watch the video you will see some things that really throw me off about the Pioneer.. laptop based power supply.. USB in the back covered by a removeable and easily lost cover (only the power jack has the rubber piece attatched to the main unit) the other cover just comes right off.. and since most of the things you need are behind the cover.. anyways lets move onto the sound.. one thing i do give Pioneer kudos for is the inclusion of real tweeters.. sure the TDK and Altec have tweeters.. but in this form factor.. niether the JVC or Sharp has these.. bass was not as exciting as from some of the other modern boomboxes.. and there is no EQ controls or bass settings.. kinda disapointing.. sure with an IPOD you can adjust the sound through there EQ.. but if you use a USB drive your SOL.. also it uses foam surrounds for the subs instead of rubber butyl that the JVC and Sharp use.. and there are no bass ports.. without these 2 things bass just isnt as profound.. mids and highs are fine though.. sorry Pioneer.. your Steez is no bass machine.. to sum the Pioneer in one word.. STYLE..
ALTEC LANSING IMT-800/810
ahh Altec.. many praises befall you.. and for good reason.. the IMT-800 is in it's own league.. tiny but nasty! (in a great way) lets face it.. Altec got it right.. small.. easy to carry.. remote.. 3 way speakers.. last forever on batteries.. 7 band EQ.. oh and the SOUND! mad props to Altec.. if there was only one other that can compete in the tiny bass machine catagory it would be the TDK Sound Cube.. and the TDK gets most of it right.. biggest issue with the TDK? remote.. never thought it would be a big deal.. but my old ass does not like gettin up to lower/raise foward/reverse anything! dont get me wrong.. the TDK Sound Cube is a very impressive little boomer that i will go into detail when i get to the TDK's i'll sum it up the Altec in one word.. PERFECT..
TDK LIFE ON RECORD SERIES
TDK.. whoever imagined they would make a kick ass line of boomboxes? certainly not me.. lets face it.. the 3 speaker Tower of Power is a fantastic/impressive looking black beast with tons of chic/sophistication.. great looks with great sound? check.. bass in spades? check.. where it falters is in the lack of remote.. also the bass can be way to powerful.. wierd to say that but it's true.. also in order to hear it at it's best potential you need to crank the volume past the halfway mark.. love the sleek touch screen and spectrum EQ.. it is also the heaviest of the lot.. nearly 34 pounds!.. but alot of quality went into that 34 pounds.. solid alunimum handle piano finish front.. heavy duty speakers.. i'll sum the TDK 3 speaker in one word.. POWERFUL..
TDK 2 SPEAKER
Well describing the TDK 2 speaker model is quite easy.. think of it as a modern version of a JVC M70/panny 5150.. right size.. easy to carry.. smooth not harsh sounding.. the perfect modern boombox to take to the beach/park.. not a bass machine in the least.. think of it as the porrage in the red riding hood story.. just right.. i'll sum up this boombox in one word.. CHILLIN
TDK SOUND CUBE
you know when you go to the park and you see a cute little squirrel and you want to just pet and snuggle it.. then it turns into a pitbull? well thats the TDK Sound Cube in a nut shell.. sure it looks tiny and innocent.. then you turn it on and WOW! yep this little momma can crank! 2 5-1/4 inch co-axial woofers and 2 passive radiators.. phhhfft right.. no way that can put outt the bass.. oh yes it can.. big time.. dont let the little size fool you.. it actually has better smoother bass than the 3 speaker model! i kid you not! i know.. i know.. you think i'm on crack.. but i really mean it when i say this little monster has some serious bottom end.. the only reason it loses to the Altec is the lack of remote.. i use this liitle guy most of the time at my job.. and everyone is shocked at the bass output.. and to make it even sweeter is the price.. you can buy one now on Epay for $105.. best.. deal.. ever.. so if you have a few bucks to spare.. this little momma will not disapoint.. if i can sum this TDK in one word.. GGGRRRROOOWWWLLL!
JVC KABOOM (NEWER SERIES)
Well of all the modern boomers.. this is the one i really was very disapointed in.. i did a review on this in Febuary 2010.. as soon as it arrived in the states i snagged one from Amazon.. i was soo excited! JVC with enclosed IPOD dock and USB sweet! well lets just say JVC seriously took a dump on the Kaboom series with this turd.. Made in China... sure some items like the Altec are made in China.. but there standards are vastly better than the JVC.. JVC went cheap plain and simple.. cashing in on the Kaboom legacy.. shame on them.. here's the link to my review viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3502&hilit=rv+nb50 if i could sum up one word for the JVC Kaboom ASHAMED
OK so there you have it.. i hope you enjoyed my views on the new generation of boomboxes.. i do not nor expect to own the other new boomboxes including the next gen of TDK bluetooth models or the only other decent boombox the IHome Ip4 (has gotten pretty good reviews) so sorry..
so as far as quality vs. price
these are must haves..
Altec Lansing IMT-800/810 go for under $200 as of this post..
Sharp GX-M10 $250 w/ free shipping form ABT Electronics (currently out of stock) bummer.. $150 in europe (lucky bastages)
TDK Sound Cube $99/105 Ebay.. various online stores also
TDK 3 speaker boombox $250 on Ebay
i cannot recommend
PIONEER STEEZ Sonic Elecronics $280 w/ free shipping if goes under $200 then yes..
JVC RV-NB50/70 $250/300
TDK 2 speaker model $140/160 (further price drop say to $120 would make it a excellent deal..
hope you enjoyed my post!
link to Sharp vs. Pioneer video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_DanmoLsfk (again sorry for the thrushing noise in the video)
some random pics..