Bummed with the sound 777Z

[blu_fuz]

My Sharp GF-777H is really one of the best looking boxes I have. Condition is fantastic and everything works..... https://boomboxery.com/forum/index.php/topic/18226-gf-777z-bin/



BUT, the sound quality is really bad on these 777's. I've had 2 777Z's and 1 777H and all sound the same. I don't take it anywhere to listen to it because the sound is so muddy and un-clear compared to all my other boxes.


I want to be proud of this monster. I want to share it with everyone and take it out to blast.


What can I do? I got some tips from Jimmy about cleaning the volume pot fingers, but I feel the issues are in the heart of the 777. None of my controls are scratchy, sound is even on L/R, everything works as it should.


Upgrade the speakers? Change tweeters?


Help.

 

[floyd]

a nice set of coaxial speakers and some better subs really wake these boxes up. might not look stock but makes it sound heaps better.

 

[BoomboxLover48]

Tweeters are generally BAD on these unless you got a nice one. Mine sounds above average but not close to the tweeters on my GF9696 or M70. I wanted to keep it a virgin box so never tampered with it.

Cleaning pots, tape head and all help a lot, but only to a certain extent.

Speaker upgrade will make a World of difference. Jimmy bklyn sound and Cpl-Chronic have done lots of work on the upgrades.

I Believe Cpl-Chronic is still working on a new project on the upgrade.

 

[blu_fuz]

I was throwing around the idea of plopping in some non-stock speakers like Jimmy's https://boomboxery.com/forum/index.php/topic/19970-767-with-new-speakers/?hl=%2B777+%2Balpine
.


They look nice, don't have to modify the box, and should sound heaps better.

 

[Ken]

Upgrade the speakers? Change tweeters?

Both.

Floyd is right, again. A good pair of coaxial speakers (I used Pioneers) along with brand new tweeters will help balance the sound. For the subs I used a pair of bass drivers from MCM Electronics that were rated all the way down to 25 Hz. That's for a drop in mod that doesn't take too much time or money.

Don't expect GF-9696 sound though. You really need to go off on the enclosure itself and get better components if it was to really come to life, imo. As I bought better boomers, even my simple mod sounded weak. That's why I'm an ex-777z owner. I'll get me a nice stock one to look at, someday.

Maybe.

 

[blu_fuz]

Even though the sound is poo, I don't think I will ever sell my 777Z. It's just too cool of a box and expensive to replace if I ever changed my mind.


It's to the point now where I NEED to mod this thing or it will sit on the shelf because I will pick a better sounding box to use everytime.....

 

[gsbadbmr]

I agree with you blu, i have had several 777's...and i also hate the sound of them...i kept one 777 and got rid of the others

 

[baddboybill]

To me not all boxes sound great but they look the part. For example my VZ2000 is not a good sounding box at all but it looks tremendous and having the turntable makes it that much more eye popping jaw dropping cool I would leave it alone for looks and use one of the better sounding boxes just my opinion


Bad Boy Bill

 

[AE_Stereo]

Just turn down the so called Super Woofer sound controls to zero and turn up the volume. Keep the Bass and Treble to full and Loudness on. Can you have a try and post the experience?

I started listening to 777 after realizing the improvement in sound quality by turning down the woofer volume!

 

[blu_fuz]

My boxes don't just sit on the shelf to look at. The get taken outside, go camping, go to football games, get played at work, it has to at least sound OK and the 777 is sub par at best.

Changing the speakers is an easy mod to reverse and to get full use from my 777 I will have to change them.


I have used and tried every combination of super woofer dial, bass/treble dial, and loudness. Matter of fact just tried again a couple nights ago and was almost brought to tears because of the poor quality/range of sound.

 

[k2j]

Hey Joe, I just this last weekend did the Brooklyn-sound alpine speaker mod. Although I haven't swapped in the tweeters yet.

One word of warning, my box now sounds like it's going to physically break itself apart. It really really needs sound padding Material or something inside to help with the beat impacts of the newer speakers. Sound is significantly better. I prefer the looks of the original speakers, but like you need to be able to carry and listen.

I can report back when I finish the tweater mod later this week.

I may have tried cronics Bose speaker solution but didn't know the exact speakers he used and I'm no good at guessing. Brooklyn's was nice cause he had model #'s and they was cheap we are talking 65 total shipped for everything.

 

[blu_fuz]

Yes, very cheap. I checked out the prices on epay and they are exactly as you said.

Also, I notice that they are 6.5" which is the size I have been looking for in my truck! So I might be making an order soon for 8 speakers, lol.


Good note on dampening the box. I don't want anything permanent "stuck" to the inside like dynomat, but what about some upholstery foam?

 

[BoomboxLover48]

Now the question comes.... Do you want a boombox to sound like the best high end audio systems worth thousands of dollars... by day to day modifications or just enjoy how it was built for at that period or time in the history?
Moderate changes are okay and don't expect a lot! Why stop at speaker upgrades when one can do a lot on amp upgrades?...
That is the reason we all have so many boomboxes of in our collection.
Pardon me if I am wrong here....
One can make a Beast out of a boombox if time and resources and technical knowledge is there. Just imagine what a person like Norm can do.. the possibilities....with his tech knowledge and years of experience
Don't try to make a cat look like a Tiger...

 

[blu_fuz]

I see what you are saying. I'm not trying to really make it "the best of the best" or make it blow people away.

The original sound is just crud. Muffled. Dull. No highs. Bottom of the barrel for sound. My Lasonics, AKA Bolt Box, Pioneer SK-550, and SCR-8 all sound better than any 777 I have heard.

 

[redbenjoe]

my gf 1000 sounds great ...
dont have a 777 to compare ...

are these much better speakers and components than in the 777 ???

i had always thought all the big GF boxes had similar or the same type sound ?

 

[oldskool69]

My boxes don't just sit on the shelf to look at. The get taken outside, go camping, go to football games, get played at work, it has to at least sound OK and the 777 is sub par at best.

Changing the speakers is an easy mod to reverse and to get full use from my 777 I will have to change them.


I have used and tried every combination of super woofer dial, bass/treble dial, and loudness. Matter of fact just tried again a couple nights ago and was almost brought to tears because of the poor quality/range of sound.

Why not just get yourself a good compo unit that bolts together tank like? Like a Sanyo C7, etc. These crush the 777 sound wise, aren't that heavy, looks like a good boomer should, and weighs the same and sits in a more compact footprint? Not to mention the convenient battery tray and reasonable battery life. (It doesn't eat like it's big brother the C9.)

And yes it has wood cabinets for the speaker housings but hey, unless you go bopping it around that shouldn't be an issue.

 

[blu_fuz]

I'm really not looking for a boomer to replace the 777 with. I have plenty of good sounding boxes that I have taken around.


The idea is to make the 777 sound better.

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

I never thought the 777 was the greatest, but never thought it was horrible either. I have always had my setting's set with the super woofer at neutral, Bass at 55% Treble at 100%. Of course these could use more highs

 

[jimmyjimmy19702010]

Re-cap? The tone board has caps. My Hitachi TRK-9300 sounded flat with no treble until the re-cap - plenty of highs now even with piezo tweeters + nice solid bass.

James.....

 

[blu_fuz]

^ I guess that could be an issue, but could be an issue on almost every boombox from this era. I'm not really wanting to get into a re-cap situation while I still have another box to re-cap already!