Crown vs. Lasonic

[Reli]

I recently tried a couple of these cheapo FM transmitters:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/141926630460

Don't get me wrong, they do work but wow, the sound has very weak bass - clear and crisp but it will turn your M90 into an M60!!

Ha ha, yeah I've never had luck with cheap FM transmitters. The worst was the one that came from Apple with my 3rd gen iPod, about 12-13 years ago....it was HORRIBLE

 

[stedly]

@Reli

Hi pal.... The Bluetooth module that i installed inside the unit was originally fitted with its own internal rechargeable battery...
But ever since the installment the module fitted now runs off the 931's own internal power supply)).. so no recharging necessary... Rock on

 

[Transistorized]

I'm wondering how my Lasonic i931 would compare to the older TRC-931 in sound. Would really like to hear the two. Enclosures and Amp are the only variance since the woofers are the same (I believe).

Anyone have both to weigh in on their views of how they compare?

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k74KvgOdXgo


Forgot my login .... but managed to re-set my password...
Check the above video i made.

Fantastic work. Looks factory!

 

[stedly]

If you already have a 931 then flip it around and take a look at the rear of the unit... If you look closely at the bottom right .. you will see a vertical "unused engraved slot" about an inch in length...
It was just perfect for a vertical slide switch so i fitted one identicle to the AC DC switch so that nothing appeared out of place.

First here are some shots of the unit when i received it.




And here are some closeup shots of the mods....

 

[stedly]

Here are some better shots....


As said the first shots are of the unit when i first received it way back in november 2016...

And the latter are the shots taken today... Enjoy.

 

[stedly]

More photo's....


Look carefully at the grills......

Purple line in/out/speaker board on the side.

 

[trippy1313]

I'd noticed it looks like you changed the led colors on the VU, pretty cool. I'm curious about the battery meter, did you put that on? Is it strictly a battery meter for the d-cells? Looks pretty cool.

I'm wondering how my Lasonic i931 would compare to the older TRC-931 in sound. Would really like to hear the two. Enclosures and Amp are the only variance since the woofers are the same (I believe).

Anyone have both to weigh in on their views of how they compare?

I've not heard an i931, but from what I've read a few times hear, the older 931's supposedly sound better and louder I believe.

 

[stedly]

Hi yes

I put the battery meter on aswell...

It reads out the battery level in % and also the voltage, this is a multi-stage battery power indicator.
This one has a read out range of 0-100 volts.
it also does it in real-time so if you turn up the volume it effects the battery performance for a few seconds and then it levels out...
and then when you turn down the volume the power level creeps back up again..
it works well and is very accurate.

 

[Nickeccles]

Neither one..................they are both 'Market Quality' & horrid things!!

Buy a older big Japanese boomer, there's just no comparison - I used to repair these crappy things when I had a TV/Audio repair shop in the 90's.................build quality is **** on both, lasonic has a higher output chip so it goes loud but sadly it was just painful to listen to either for a long time!!

In & out the door asap until the tape deck jams or they blow the output (again)

Love the Bluetooth mod btw but on one of these?? Really??

It's a no from me................

 

[stedly]

Hi there... I'd never try to tell you that these unit's were any sort of 'good' quality... but then again neither are they the worst...


But what these 931's do have going for them are the looks...

Black, chrome, and colourful...No one can refute that.


And not only that... but i can do this to any boombox....

it took about a week in total... but it was pretty easy/straightforward.

 

[jimmyjimmy19702010]

Yep, looks are everything with some collectors. Just look at what pulls the $$$s on EBay. No tech is going to get excited about Lasonic gear but they do seem to be easier to restore to fully working condition than some of the higher end Japanese boxes for some reason!!

And I think Lasonic really did nail the looks on this model - it does look bloody awesome.
Cheapo Chinese Bluetooth receivers are largely low quality sounding devices.
You really do need to throw more $$$$s to get the good stuff.

Still a good mod on this Lasonic though - simple to do too so I'm inclined to mod one or two of my non-line in Japanese boxes with a quality BT receiver.

 

[stedly]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjbanmehMpM

Here is another quick youtube shot of this Street Blaster i modified...

As said earlier in the thread..i have an SZ5100SL that i keep alongside.. and i personally believe that the SZ looks better than the 931 but the build quality of the SZ is erroneously poor!
Although it is structurally held together by the rear of the chassis "as well" as the front... The SZ also has an INTERNAL T3 15A FUSE which the lasonic lacks which is also pretty poor for the lasonic also...

This is why in my opinion it makes them a tie... You either reach deep into ya pocket, wipp up ya ebay browser and grab both models or have neither...

 

[stedly]

Hi Guys... This is the back of my SZ5100SL.. I did some work on it recently,

See pictures below
Will be uploading a video demo soon also.

All the best.. Stedly

 

[stedly]

I also recently bought a slightly better camera so the images are clearer..

 

[stedly]

The battery level read out is an effective device... and it does exactly what it's supposed to do .. even in realtime. Very handy.

 

[-GZ-]

Oh damn. Where the hell did you come from? Nice work.

 

[stedly]

Hi there.. I signed up a few months ago..

Been familiar with these units for some years now, i found them to be a lot like "Lego".. Because you can do just about anything to them..

 

[Radio-Active]

Wow. Great mods!

 

[stedly]

Thanks..