Lasonic's new mid-sized box, What should it be?

[Lasonic TRC-920]

Hey Guys,

I wanted to run an idea past you all....While at Lasonic last week Albert, the grandson of the founder told me they were "Thinking" about a NEW midsized radio. Albert made that comment after seeing my TRC-920.

When I had posted the story of being at Lasonic and mentioning a new midsized box Ira said "any hints about what their proposed 920 sized box will look like?" and it made me think NEW 920!

But that's just me....

So I thought I would run it past you guys to see what it is you would want from a new midsized radio and then I was going to pass it on to Albert and James at Lasonic.

More of my own thoughts....

The i931 is of course a remake of all the 931's of the past. I would dare to say that the 931 was Lasonic's most popular model and that's why they remade it so many times.

In my opinion, the 920 was their best midsized radio and there for should be the midsized radio they bring back. Of course they may have other idea's, not to bring back another old radio but an all new design or make a midsized 931.
When Miles and I were at Lasonic, we talked about Altec Lansing, Innovative Technologies and the TDK. They were very aware of these products. They also know they are not trying to position themselves in the price range of the TDK or Altec. IMHO, they are building the "Everyone's Radio". Something most people can afford. In today's economy, this can be very limiting. But they have all the ground work laid out with all the features already in the i931 that could go right into the mid sized radio.

USB, SD slot, iPod, Blue Tooth, Remote Control, VU LED's. It seems easy enough to incorporate these into a midsized radio.

Aside from all that....lets make a list of features that we'd like to see in a new midsized box.

What we want to see...

What we DO NOT want to see...

(p.s. I know many people are not Lasonic fan's due to the lesser build quality compared to Shape, Panasonic and others. Since I'm planning on sending this info to Lasonic, I will only be taking the respectful comments, thank you )

 

[redbenjoe]

i do want to see a box thats looks EXACTLY like the 920 -

to me - it has the perfect size and shape and chrome and red tweets
and BIG WHITE ( mine ) woofs

and --whats wrong about a TRUE re-edition of something THAT nice-
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i dont want to see a digital tuner -
of course --that eliminates the remotes, etc

i dont want them to lose the deck
---------------------------------

ie - if we are an 'oldschool' box fan site ....
lets ask for an authentic oldschool box

 

[baddboybill]

920 has the best looks and sound in my opinion too I did the most work on my 920 compared to any other box I have and I am very pleased so Chris you have my thumbs up

 

[MONOLITHIC]

red tweets

Hate to correct you, but Lasonic tweeters are orange, not "red".

My thoughts...

• 1. Tapes are played out so the idea of Lasonic making a box with a cassette deck ain't gonna happen, but it would be nice to get a "new" old box...
  2. It would be VERY sad to see an updated, rounded version of the 920.
  3. I don't like digital tuners but they're probably easier to put in a box these days than the old analog twist and turn string type.
  4. No mirrored LED meters! Keep 'em straight and side by side like the 920.
  5. Dual antennas... PLEASE!!!
  6. Regular bass and treble controls, maybe digital. To me, the only digital EQ setting that sounds good on the i931 is the one for "loudness".
  7. If there's gonna be a fake tuner dial, don't make the same flub you made on the i931... AM: 55, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 102 (should be 120), 140, 160.
  8. Absolutely NO woofer baffles!!! Let those woofers breathe so the bass doesn't sound "hollow" like in the i931.
  9. Keep it flashy, but classy like the original 920 (lots of chrome but neutral graphics).
  10. No all plastic handle!!!

Then again, maybe a complete re-issue with updated internal components and 3 color choices (silver, black and white) would be better.

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

Yep, these are the kinds of comments I was hoping for! Please keep'em coming.

Mono, I think you nailed allot of this on the head. IF there was going to be a new 920. I doubt there will be a new 920, probably a mid sized "Modern Box".

When I get all this over to Lasonic, I was going to offer them one of my 920's to use as a design guild. Hell, they can have it if it helps re-engineer a new 920!

 

[redbenjoe]

another 'business matter' consideration for lasonic...........

on 2 fine occasions - i have listed to franks//hemiguys new altec -
with its digital 'everything' and remote , etc etc

its sound quality is just fabulous and tremendous

so --if lasonic is to be competitive in that price and size range --
i say they will HAVE TO do it with cosmetics//styling -

and the great oldschool look --
it what the altec is missing

 

[hemiguy2006]

A subwoofer or even a bass radiator would make for that big sound in a smaller box possible.

 

[Jboogie2384]

No love for the 3 piecers? Loved the L30's. That was my era.
Was "Stereo Wide" ever an option? How about a real 5 band Eq with a 60 or 63Mhz instead of 100Mhz? That would rock any 6.5's or 8 inchers! All this digital Eq stuff is boring already. Everybody makes them with those corny presets. Enough already. I like/love Eq's to death. Bring that back and I'll buy every color they come in!