ugly new boxes

[redbenjoe]

for the past 15 plus years --
always hated passing thru the boombox sections at best buy, etc

to me -- EVERY newer model looks like an oversized pile of sh1t !!
and i would not have one -- even a FREE NIB anything

still wouldnt -
but an hour ago --i went our community woodworking shop --

some sharing member donated the epitome of a giant puke box !!
:'-(
aiwa #cx-naj20---

well --i never did want to bring even my worst POS box in there --
cuz sawdust is among the serious box enemies.

so --since i had a one hour project .....
why not , at least, hear some music -- right

LOUD -- LOTS of mid-bass //
cool remote //all kinds of fun live graphics//
exceptional tuner

' i went wow'

so --asking ?????
is that huge aiwa model the best of the modern lot -
or are many of these godawful looking abortions -----
GOOD BOXES

 

[Johnny]

Ira, I'm sure the boxes of nowadays sound okay, but there is more to it than just sound Was that Aiwa a portable?

 

[redbenjoe]

good question -
not sure --i can check it out tomorrow.

 

[bill]

before i started getting into the older boomboxes i had a direct descendant of that aiwa box.
it was one of the reasons i got into the sound of older stereos.
i mean dont get me wrong there was some technoflash going on with it but it really sounded about as warm as two skeletons doing the wild thing on a tin roof in the middle of winter.

 

[redbenjoe]

nothing i would ever bring home --

but --considering the shop is about 30' x 150' feet long --
it sounded good from that far away

 

[Boom Shaka Laka]

Some of them have stunning electronic graphics. And the sound is genuinely good. But they're not portable (as in batteries); strictly "shelf" units. I have a couple (one is in our dining nook) for the glitz alone. Hypnotic!!

 

[redbenjoe]

yup --with all these electronic graphics --
surprised that nobody made a plain old discolite ??

 

[bill]

i gave all the mini stereos aways to the salvation army a couple years back. i dont miss them.

 

[ahardb0dy]

from the users manual:

General Power requirements 120 V AC, 60 Hz Power consumption 75 W Power consumption in standby mode Dimensions (W H D) 260 328 335 mm

 

[redbenjoe]

thanks --
no batteries , then

 

[ahardb0dy]

doesn't appear to, I see one's like that by Aiwa on craigslist all the time

 

[jaredscottfla]

i have several of the 'new' aiwas they actually sound pretty good

 

[Jovie]

These are the industries cost cutting answers to the lower end rack system separates available years ago.Shelf systems like this are very common and very inexpensive when found used.Some of the Goodwill distribution centers will see shelf systems pass through on nearly a daily basis.Because they are separates,they would make for a pretty messy collection if you were to buy every good deal you run across.

If you can find one with a software graphic band EQ and inputs,they are some of the best deals if you are actually in need of something for the house.Sound quality,however, varies widely.Some are very loud,some not so much.Personally I have a particularly nice 3-way Kenwood I found some time ago.It is really loud and has a hookup for a powered sub.Pretty powerful and amazing sound that will trounce most all boomers! Though a bit on the ugly side,perhaps in the future they will have some collector value.

I wish manufacturers would make these things with attachable speakers and old school styling.Even without battery capability they would be pretty enticing!

 

[2steppa]

I'm sure at least some of the current crop of (what pass for) boomboxes sound really awesome, but the designs are far from inspiring or interesting to me. Haven't been since the late 80s really when black plastic nondescript stuff started taking over.

That's why I find the Lasonic i931 such a breath of fresh air for a current box, and I would really like one if I'm honest