No “Real†Bumpboxx Classic coming
- Thread starter Lasonic TRC-920
- Start date
- Status
Hisrudeness
Member (SA)
A Starbucks and not a Stella?blu_fuz said:
The GPO Brooklyn box which I admit has only been out a month has all the features collectors covet (Tape, FM, DAB, Bluetooth, RCA’s, CD Player, LEDS and a sort of retro styling). No one has reviewed it yet. I doubt it will be as loud at that price point but interesting to see what numbers it sells.
BoomboxLover48
Boomus Fidelis
Chris, But you gave all your outstanding efforts and great ideas to "some folks" with no secrecy agreement in place. Sooner or later the project will resurface under another name in the market. What are your thoughts?
It would be great for you to team up with Norm and James and revive it.
It would be great for you to team up with Norm and James and revive it.
Well said Chris.Lasonic TRC-920 said:
. It still amazes me that the niche style of box us vintage Boombox tragics are after still doesn’t seem to register as a viable proposition for manufacturers!
I’m gonna be honest here Chris, I always thought Bumpboxx was the wrong outfit to build a high end, unique, blast from the past, quality Boombox. It’s just not their thing. I think you did bloody well just to drag those guys into this project as far as you did!
To be successful, this new box has to be planned and executed in the old fashioned way: Maximise quality and feature count to maintain the all important reputation of the company. Work out the cost of manufacture and charge a retail price that is commensurate with those costs - not the modern method of cost cutting, off shoring etc that can only result in another POS boring and depressing low quality disposable abomination.
I think we have to reasonable here too with regards to price. How would you guys feel if you had to pay around $2000 USD to get your hands on a modern duplicate of a 1980 Japanese high end 1 piece box with all the old school features but with modern amp performance and lithium ion battery technology?
I think some would instantly say ‘too much, blah blah blah’. But think about what resources are really required here to build a box with old school Japanese build quality!!!
I personally would spend that amount or more if it guaranteed me what I was after:
- Old school classic and chromed out ABS plastic front and rear case, inner acoustic bass reflex cabinet, sweet sounding stereo amp, Hifi grade drivers, tweeters and crossovers, quality AM/FM tuner, BT 4.0, Wifi, AUX in, quality Japanese made 18650 battery pack (huge capacity). The deck is optional for me due to the unavailability of true, high end decks.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love a 3 motor metal tape compatible deck. But being realistic with what’s available these days, I wouldn’t want to have to settle for some cheap **** deck polluting the pure, no compromise approach to the component selection of the rest of the box.
No swag, T shirts, remotes all the other **** that just pulls more build quality $$$s out of the box itself.
If I were a rich man, I’d fly Chris, Norm and anyone else with skills necessary to Australia and I’d get together with a local Brisbane plastic mouldings company and get this bloody project underway the right way - no off shoring, all in-house. A month of intense work from all parties combined with the planning work Chris has already done and this thing would be well on its’ way to rocking us all like no box has done before!!
I seriously need one of these new boxes, stat!
James...
Radio raheem
Requiem Æternam
I think most of us were expecting this Cris sorry that you're endeavours didn't pay off, all i can say is get together with a decent company and make you're own buddy, good luck and thanks for trying ehh
So, I'm wondering Chris, you've obviously invested more than just time, there's the cost of airfare and accommodations to visit Asia. Was that hopefully paid for by the company? If not, was the whole agreement for proper compensation really done via just a handshake? Although I'm of that old mold, it's clear that times have changed and trust can't be taken for granted anymore.
As for the boombox vs. bluetooth speaker argument, these are clearly different products. Boombox enthusiasts in the classic sense would not be interested in bluetooth speakers as surrogates. That's not to say that boombox enthusiasts can't be interested in bluetooth speakers anymore than saying that folks who like sports cars can't like monster trucks. They each serve their own purpose, and to me, bluetooth speakers simply can't replace boomboxes.
I suppose what I'm saying is that if your goals were to hopefully steer the bumpbox company more towards bringing the product closer in line with a "true" boombox, then that's probably a waste of time. On the other hand, if you were to want to be involved in morphing the company towards the development and growth of bluetooth speakers and that technology, then that's probably a more realistic expectation of your future relationship, if any. If it was me, I wouldn't waste any further time with this company without a firm "written" agreement of your involvement and compensation arrangement. Even today, I read on news regarding China as still being considered major intellectual property theft perpetrators. Giving them "free" advice and time probably isn't the best use of your time unless you are Dennis Rodman and have more money than you know what to do with.
Going back to my earlier #12 post, you'll see that while the modern boombox offerings are rather meager in terms of choices, and sizes, these products are very cheap yet still include cassette decks or CD players AND working Radio tuners. The only shortcomings are that they don't have classic looks and thus aesthetic appeal, nor do they offer the larger power outputs of these large bluetooth speakers. The fact that these products can be sold at such low prices suggests to me that the technology in the radios and cassette decks/CD players isn't expensive at all. If you were to take the internals of any of these products and use them as foundations to produce a large device with larger speakers and amps, then you'd have a "true" boombox worthy of a second look. Unfortunately, therein lies the problem. Anyone can in their garage, fashion a particle board rectangular box, stuff in some speakers, a PS, an off the shelf amp board with bluetooth and "et voila." No real skills here in my opinion. Furthermore, laminate the product using some felt, plastic laminate, leather, or what have you, put tacky corner protectors you'd find on homemade or professional touring music speakers to reduce damage, install those ugly lattice-like speaker grills, and screw on a home depot looking towell bar for a handle and then market it as something awesome. Or not.
Because big name manufacturers aren't interested, to develop a "real" boombox would require a company that is willing to employ people with engineering skills. Some electronics to either develop the circuitry on their own, or at least have the skills to properly interface and properly adapt multiple "off the shelf" products so they work well together. Mechanical engineers to develop a product that will interface and assemble well, with proper fold down handles, designs to maximize strength yet reduce weight and cost, and 3D CAD experts to design the product(s) pieces into files that can be used to shop around for manufacturing bids in order to commission the manufacture of the parts, and some acquisition specialists to negotiate with companies that have designed or build these off the shelf modules in order to customize for use. Apparently, bumpboxx either doesn't possess such human resources to develop such a product or is satisfied with a diy-like built product for continued sale through social media.
As for the boombox vs. bluetooth speaker argument, these are clearly different products. Boombox enthusiasts in the classic sense would not be interested in bluetooth speakers as surrogates. That's not to say that boombox enthusiasts can't be interested in bluetooth speakers anymore than saying that folks who like sports cars can't like monster trucks. They each serve their own purpose, and to me, bluetooth speakers simply can't replace boomboxes.
I suppose what I'm saying is that if your goals were to hopefully steer the bumpbox company more towards bringing the product closer in line with a "true" boombox, then that's probably a waste of time. On the other hand, if you were to want to be involved in morphing the company towards the development and growth of bluetooth speakers and that technology, then that's probably a more realistic expectation of your future relationship, if any. If it was me, I wouldn't waste any further time with this company without a firm "written" agreement of your involvement and compensation arrangement. Even today, I read on news regarding China as still being considered major intellectual property theft perpetrators. Giving them "free" advice and time probably isn't the best use of your time unless you are Dennis Rodman and have more money than you know what to do with.
Going back to my earlier #12 post, you'll see that while the modern boombox offerings are rather meager in terms of choices, and sizes, these products are very cheap yet still include cassette decks or CD players AND working Radio tuners. The only shortcomings are that they don't have classic looks and thus aesthetic appeal, nor do they offer the larger power outputs of these large bluetooth speakers. The fact that these products can be sold at such low prices suggests to me that the technology in the radios and cassette decks/CD players isn't expensive at all. If you were to take the internals of any of these products and use them as foundations to produce a large device with larger speakers and amps, then you'd have a "true" boombox worthy of a second look. Unfortunately, therein lies the problem. Anyone can in their garage, fashion a particle board rectangular box, stuff in some speakers, a PS, an off the shelf amp board with bluetooth and "et voila." No real skills here in my opinion. Furthermore, laminate the product using some felt, plastic laminate, leather, or what have you, put tacky corner protectors you'd find on homemade or professional touring music speakers to reduce damage, install those ugly lattice-like speaker grills, and screw on a home depot looking towell bar for a handle and then market it as something awesome. Or not.
Because big name manufacturers aren't interested, to develop a "real" boombox would require a company that is willing to employ people with engineering skills. Some electronics to either develop the circuitry on their own, or at least have the skills to properly interface and properly adapt multiple "off the shelf" products so they work well together. Mechanical engineers to develop a product that will interface and assemble well, with proper fold down handles, designs to maximize strength yet reduce weight and cost, and 3D CAD experts to design the product(s) pieces into files that can be used to shop around for manufacturing bids in order to commission the manufacture of the parts, and some acquisition specialists to negotiate with companies that have designed or build these off the shelf modules in order to customize for use. Apparently, bumpboxx either doesn't possess such human resources to develop such a product or is satisfied with a diy-like built product for continued sale through social media.
trippy1313
Member (SA)
Chris man, brother.... I'm so sorry to read this.
I read your first post and I kinda thought, man that sucks, all that time uou spent and theyre just gonna go cheap and basic. I get the cost/profit aspect but that sucks.
Then I read your second long post and it went pretty dark for you, one of the most positive guys here. Now I just feel horrible for you and this what the situation is starting to sound like. I really hope you get reimbursed in some way. But that I know won't make up for the rest of it. I just hope it wasn't all for nothing and that some good comes out of this whole experience. I'm pretty much speechless outside of all that I just spoke....
I'm glad you'll have family with you for the holidays, that's great. I hope to hear the rest of this story when you're able to tell it.
And THANK YOU for trying your best to bring us something worth being excited about. It was a thrill reading the whole process you had been going through, brought a smile to my face with each step closer. I truly appreciate your efforts.
EDIT: So much for speechless.
I read your first post and I kinda thought, man that sucks, all that time uou spent and theyre just gonna go cheap and basic. I get the cost/profit aspect but that sucks.
Then I read your second long post and it went pretty dark for you, one of the most positive guys here. Now I just feel horrible for you and this what the situation is starting to sound like. I really hope you get reimbursed in some way. But that I know won't make up for the rest of it. I just hope it wasn't all for nothing and that some good comes out of this whole experience. I'm pretty much speechless outside of all that I just spoke....
I'm glad you'll have family with you for the holidays, that's great. I hope to hear the rest of this story when you're able to tell it.
And THANK YOU for trying your best to bring us something worth being excited about. It was a thrill reading the whole process you had been going through, brought a smile to my face with each step closer. I truly appreciate your efforts.
EDIT: So much for speechless.
Oh Norm, if only it were that simple.Superduper said:
There is a bit more to it than just slapping it all together if you expect it to sound good.
-GZ-
Member (SA)
You know we all got nothin but love and respect for you, Chris. If you REALLY want to make this happen somehow....you will. Ain't a person on this site that doubts what you're capable of. This was a learning experience. It's up to you to decide where you're gonna go from here. Whatever you do...we got your back.
As for for right now....I think I know what would make you feel a little bit better and take your mind off this ****. And I know it would put a whole lotta smiles on a whole lotta peoples' faces. Its the reason we're all here. Them five little words under the name of the greatest forum on the planet....
Do what you do best, homie.
As for for right now....I think I know what would make you feel a little bit better and take your mind off this ****. And I know it would put a whole lotta smiles on a whole lotta peoples' faces. Its the reason we're all here. Them five little words under the name of the greatest forum on the planet....
Do what you do best, homie.
Attachments
Jimmy, if you read between the lines, you know I'm oversimplifying it. What I'm really trying to convey is that the creation of a rectangular particle-board box, stuffed with off the shelf bluetooth amps is a far cry from the next step (leap) up which would involve melding a whole assembly of electronics, technical, manufacturing, and sales/purchasing saavy that the average Joe can't manage nor would want to. Sure a DIY box can be crap with the wrong combo of parts, but with some experimenting, you can get it to sound good by choosing a different amp board, different drivers, careful routing of wires to minimize noise, etc. Being able to create a box out of plastic, metal or other weather durable material, sculpted to include seamless integration of all the features, a proper fold down handle, true easily removable batteries or battery pack (like Aiwa EOS-9) etc. is a whole nother level that Bumpbox hasn't shown.jimmyjimmy19702010 said:Oh Norm, if only it were that simple.
Anyone can build a loud box but you need to know what you’re doing if you want to enable it to sound beautiful.
I think this is starting to sound like a project for a legacy manufacturer like Panasonic who wanted to revisit one of their own models from their distant past.
Hey Guys,
I've read all this. I will try to answer what I can after the first of the year as I have family in town until them. I hope you all have a great holiday season
I've read all this. I will try to answer what I can after the first of the year as I have family in town until them. I hope you all have a great holiday season
Reli
Boomus Fidelis
If Bumpboxx was afraid they'd lose money, then I think they're short-sighting themselves, because they could have easily charged a much higher price for Chris' box if it was built the way I know he wanted it be built.
Look at how much Diamondboxx gets for their boxes, even though they are so plain-looking.
They are also short-sighting themselves if they think only Boomboxery members would have purchased it. That is incorrect. If it was marketed correctly, it could have easily expanded Bumpboxx's customer base into new demographic groups and personalities.
Look at how much Diamondboxx gets for their boxes, even though they are so plain-looking.
They are also short-sighting themselves if they think only Boomboxery members would have purchased it. That is incorrect. If it was marketed correctly, it could have easily expanded Bumpboxx's customer base into new demographic groups and personalities.
caution
Member (SA)
Aiwa seems like good candidate, they even sent promo stuff for our Vegas meet.jimmyjimmy19702010 said:
I wonder if Lasonic might be worth reaching out to as well, who knows what they'd say.
You'd think the big boys would've figure out by now that throwback products are moneymakers these days.
ford93
Member (SA)
Hey Chris,
We thank you for your passion and sorry to hear about the news.
You gave it a shot at least and unfortunately it's always cost that drives corporations and not the dream.
You're a true Boombox fan and should be proud of your efforts just as you did on those marathons running for a cure for cancer. I donated at that time not for them but to root for you brother.
We thank you for your passion and sorry to hear about the news.
You gave it a shot at least and unfortunately it's always cost that drives corporations and not the dream.
You're a true Boombox fan and should be proud of your efforts just as you did on those marathons running for a cure for cancer. I donated at that time not for them but to root for you brother.
baddboybill
Boomus Fidelis
MesaAZGuy
Member (SA)
As a newbie to this site, I am reading and getting to know some of you through your posts by going over some past threads. I am now caught up to date on this whole Bumpboxx thing. Chris, Although we've never met, I wanted to sincerely give you my gratitude for what you tried to accomplish. I really do wish there was a modern version of the iconic 80's BB with all the accouterments of the day manufactured in a high standard of quality. Having said that, I've learned how you tried to lead the pack and get one to the masses. I really feel bad with the disappointment you have gone through.
Sorry to bring up an old post. Just wanted to share my feelings.
Sorry to bring up an old post. Just wanted to share my feelings.
- Status