What is your favorite boombox BEFORE 1980?

[FriedScorpion]

Like most of you, I love so many different boomboxes, old, new, big, small, domestic, international, but wanted to ask what is your favorite boombox BEFORE 1980 or so? Maybe it’s a boombox that not many know about, or haven’t thought about in a while. I will go first. Panasonic RS-466S. It just screams quality.

 

[Fatdog]

Welcome aboard, FriedScorpion! Is your name referring to some sort of exotic delicacy that you like?

Pre-1980 boombox, huh... I would have to say my favorite would be the JVC RC-M70. Mine has a date code of 1979 - I forget the month and day. I also had a Sharp GF-9494X that was 1979, but I was stupid and sold it.

One that I don't have, but would love to own one day, is the Sony CFS-85S (Zilbap). That is one sexy mofo.

 

[1986GLH]

Definitely the JVC RC-550.

 

[FriedScorpion]

Thank you for having me

That Sony CFS 85S really is beautiful

What specifically was it about the late 1970’s that made it so good as far as boomboxes? It seems like the craftsmanship and quality of components used were very high.

 

[Fatdog]

...What specifically was it about the late 1970’s that made it so good as far as boomboxes? It seems like the craftsmanship and quality of components used were very high.

That's a good question. I don't know if there is one, simple answer though. However, I do know that all electronics companies let quality slide down a hole towards the mid- to late-80s.

 

[pabaker]

I am with Fatdog on the m70 being my favorite as well. Its actually what I am using right now. Welcome FriedScorpion.

 

[skippy1969]

Mine would be the Aiwa TPR950.

 

[koleloi]

National Panasonic RS-4360DFT aka Panasonic Rx-7700. The best boombox ever made.

National Panasonic RS-4360DFT aka Panasonic Rx-7700. The best boombox ever made.

 

[jimmyjimmy19702010]

Sanyo M9998K - 1979

 

[toshik]

My first one from childhood 1979 National Panasonic RQ-4050FD

 

[nikonfoo]

Black beauty
National RS-4250 STEREO MAC ST-5 (1978)

 

[Ken]

Black beauty
National RS-4250 STEREO MAC ST-5 (1978)

mmmmmmm…

Sharp GF 9090 for me, my first true boomer with bass & treble controls, purchased in March of 1978.

 

[BoomboxLover48]

It was Panasonic RS 466. It is still one of my fav boxes when you compare the size and sound quality. I have 3 in my collection.

Not my pic...

 

[floyd]

Actually my favorite pre 1980 unit was a pocket transistor radio because at that time that's all I had and I was lucky to have that.

 

[Ken]

It was Panasonic RS 466. It is still one of my fav boxes when you compare the size and sound quality. I have 3 in my collection.

Not my pic...

These are awesome. They have an antenna that telescopes down into the case, if I remember correctly. Sound nice, too!

Actually my favorite pre 1980 unit was a pocket transistor radio because at that time that's all I had and I was lucky to have that.

You're making me reconsider, Floyd. I had the same thing in 1973 and I never went anywhere without it!

 

[stevenrob]

Panasonic rx-5500 : so nice, great quality : THE boombox !

 

[FriedScorpion]

That Panasonic RX 5500 is beautiful. So classic looking.
£284 was the suggested retail price in 1979 for that box. In today’s dollars, that is just shy of $1800. Wow.

 

[BoomboxLover48]

Panasonic rx-5500 : so nice, great quality : THE boombox !

That was the best! Outstanding sound quality and super nice radio reception. Still one of my fav boxes. I have a mint one in my collection.

It was Panasonic RS 466. It is still one of my fav boxes when you compare the size and sound quality. I have 3 in my collection.
Not my pic...

These are awesome. They have an antenna that telescopes down into the case, if I remember correctly. Sound nice, too!

Ken, That is correct! The antenna hides into the box and it is a rotary one also. Not many people know how good they sound. Only oldies like me know that. I am always amazed by the sound quality of those double cone full range speakers. Nowadays it has become so scarce to find a good one.

Actually my favorite pre 1980 unit was a pocket transistor radio because at that time that's all I had and I was lucky to have that.

Floyd, Those days I had those Huge Akai reel to reel GX-635 and GX-747 at home. Also Holland Philips 13 Valve huge stereo radios. PYE Blackbox record player and all goodies. My father was always afraid of me touching those gadgets and I made a transistor radio for me to use. It was all assembled on a formica piece. Upgraded it to SW also later. At age 5, I opened his Murphy radio to see if there were little people in it. After that I always got into trouble for touching radios.

 

[Jorge]

I side with NIKONFOO today: my fav bbox is my latest resto success:

 

[Mystic Traveller]

I side with NIKONFOO today: my fav bbox is my latest resto success:

Same here - one of my few favs from 70s.