What boombox has the best quality build ?

[Atari]

I had a Massive boombox a few years ago and it was massive but the most plasticky and cheap build I ever saw.

What would be the best quality build ever for materials...lots of metal etc

 

[Zippy]

Well, boomboxes need to be portable so you probably won't find one that's a solid iron brick. Metal is mainly used for speaker grills and decal plating. But you're right, there are many big and cheap builds. They are often big but hollow models from cheaper brands made in Taiwan/Korea in the mid to late 80s. Better builds are likely made by renown companies in Japan in the early 80s, like Sanyo, Sharp, National/Panasonic, JVC, Pioneer, Aiwa.

One of the most solid builds might be the Telefunken Hifi Studio 1 (M), although that's arguably not the boomboxiest of all boomboxes as it performs best when plugged to a power source.

 

[Radio raheem]

70's boxes are the best build quality but not the loudest or best sounding imho

 

[Reli]

Yep late 70s are the best. They often had a 3-piece chassis so that all circuit boards were well-braced. They also had a metal plate supporting all the pots, and thicker metal in the tape mechanism.

By 1981-1982 the competition had become so tough that manufacturers were forced to reduce quality. They had also learned that consumers cared more about size and looks than quality, so why bother giving them something they didn't ask for?

Compare an Aiwa TPR-955 (late 70s) with the CS-770 that came out 1-2 years later. The CS-770 is more empty inside, and doesn't sound as good IMO.

Compare a Panasonic RX-5500 (late 70s) with the 5150/5250 that came out 1-2 years later. The 5500 is smaller but it's a full KG heavier, and sounds better IMO.

 

[Hisrudeness]

A good example of when Aiwa went from the TPR range to the CS range. TPR-968 and CS-660. Big differences in build quality and trim especially the top plate. Less complicated deck on the 660 but the CS’s did gain the DSL circuit.

 

[deech]

Atari,I think its not a matter of what materials are used from the outside of a boombox.
What plays a big role in how good a boombox in sounding terms is whats used inside it.
The general rule says , the heavier a boombox weighs the better it is sounding.

Late 70s boomboxes until very early 80s are basically considered well build.
This is also the Golden Era of these machines, There are ofcourse exceptions
and good boomboxes where made up until the mid 80s but this is not the rule.

Well Build CD-TAPE Boomboxes were also made in the 90s and early 00s but thats a completely different era
which was not focusing on the classic looks and style was altered to match the demands of the period.

Now late 00s and 10s have seen a rise of units using bluetooth and SD cards
or other wireless protocols to transmit sound but were considerably smaller and lighter.
This made 99% of new boomboxes sound bad among other problems like mp3 digitised music is
ofcourse worser sounding than every analogue source in which you can hear every single organ part that you
want instread of a muffled monophonic sound.
Just my opinion !

 

[Atari]

Great replies folks. Thanks

 

[docs]

Sony are very good quality builds and definitely among the best builds I've seen. eg Sony CFS-F40.

 

[Reli]

Hitachis of 1978-1979 were among the best. Too bad they went downhill after that.

 

[mar(k)]

.

 

[Radio raheem]

Sony are very good quality builds and definitely among the best builds I've seen. eg Sony CFS-F40.

I have one Litfans old box...did you see it when you were here Dave? quality for sure

 

[dragonhead00]

I’m gonna have to say that top honors for build quality is between Toshiba, Panasonic and JVC. Honorable mention to Sharp.

 

[Hisrudeness]

Panasonic RS-4360, Sony CF-580 come to mind.