HOME - Back to board
 

My Boxes

retro - 2011-04-05 13:42

I think it was back in 2004 when I purchased my last box and started collecting brochures. I had these boxes stored away in a closet for a few years, It's been raining all day in New York today and I decided to dust them off and take some pics.

 

Fisher PH-492 my first purchase.

 

 

The PH-480k, one of my all time favorites, lot's of output and hard hitting bass

 

 

 

 

The Disco Twins, My two RX-5350's. Like the PH-480, lot's of output and they hit hard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The RX-C100, similar in sound to the 5350, but with tighter bass IMHO.

 

 

 

The monstrous RX A-2/RX-6400 seems to have unlimited output power, unmatched by any boombox.

 

 

 

 

 

The RC-M90, second to my RX-A2 in terms of output and sound quality, blows my other boxes away.

 

 

The Sharp HK-9000 aka "Rambo Box" can kick some serious a$$ as well, but not a box you would want to carry around, it weighs a ton!

 

 

Another heavyweight, you won't get too far carrying this WX-1 around.  

 

 

The Sanyo "Big Ben" MR-X20, Japanese domestic version. You'll probably need Google Goggles  to operate this box, but it's fun to play around with.

 

 

The Sharp GF-909, lots of bass and plenty of buttons to fiddle with.

 

 

The Sharp GF-999, Different color scheme, but better looking VU's.

 

 

The sharp GF-535 which also has very nice VU's, it's a mean looking box but not much output.

 

 

 

Another beauty, the RX-5700 is one of the best looking boxes and has great build quality, but not much output either.

 

 

Forgot one, looks good, but the sound is meh.

 

 

The PC-11, built like a tank and has very descent sound.

 

 

The PC-55 was way before it's time, built like a tank with tremendous output, and just look at that gorgeous back-lit LCD display.

 

 

 

 

Even my Sirius satellite boombox get's an honorable mention because I can no longer get Howard Stern on the analog boxes. It also has a downward firing subwoofer, and has some kick.

 

 

 

 

redbenjoe - 2011-04-05 13:51

thanks for the spectacular show, retro -

 

agree about the rx 6400 = seamless -- never quit power !!

radio.raheem - 2011-04-05 15:13

Fantastic show Retro It's a Real honour to finally see your collection...and that's some of the finest photography to ever hit stg....One thing i would like to ask and thats about the panna a2, yes it's loud but I hear they are bass shy..Is this true???thanks again..I think this is truly a stg highlight because I don't think you have ever shown your collection before... cheerz

stereo2go - 2011-04-05 15:36

Agreed, those photos are top notch...good material for a boombox coffee table book!

 

Howard pulled me over to Sirius, too.

 

I have a question about the Big Ben...I could have sworn I've seen an all-silver version.  Can anyone else confirm?

hardmen - 2011-04-05 16:06

Retro.



All of them, qualified as Real Grails.



Congratulations for that and tanks for share the awesome pictures.



Cheers.

driptip - 2011-04-05 16:24

Retro i agree with the rest of the gang, we finally have the honor to see your collection, of wich i am very intrigue, i see you chose the japan models over the USA models,

 

 

Paul , on the big ben, yes there is a silver japan model too, James from canada has one.

retro - 2011-04-05 16:58

Thanks for the kind words guys, Driptip you have to remember, this was back in 2003-2004, boxes were dirt cheap over there while grails were going for a few grand over here. I remember bidding $ 1200 on a US M-90, and lost!  I still plan on getting the US versions of a few of them. Paul there is a silver Big Ben and it has a transparent grill.

retro - 2011-04-05 17:32

Originally Posted by Radio Raheem:

Fantastic show Retro It's a Real honour to finally see your collection...and that's some of the finest photography to ever hit stg....One thing i would like to ask and thats about the panna a2, yes it's loud but I hear they are bass shy..Is this true???thanks again..I think this is truly a stg highlight because I don't think you have ever shown your collection before... cheerz

The thing about the RX-A2 is that is has warm bass, but very hard hitting mid bass. I'ts the lower mid bass hit you would get from the PH-482 where you can actually feel it in your chest. But to answer the question, it's not the kind of bass you get from a 777z.  

redbenjoe - 2011-04-05 17:47

btw --member JLF has an rx-6400 on USA ebay right now

docs - 2011-04-06 00:38

Beautiful collection, thanks for sharing.

metad - 2011-04-06 01:35

Wow, all of your boxes are japan domestic versions (except Fishers),

did you find them in the US?

31state - 2011-04-06 01:48

wow ..really nice collection. thanks for sharing!!

andyboombox - 2011-04-06 02:50

fantastic collection you have there-all the big hitters,and some major memories for me there......youve really looked after them well and theyre such a sound investment for the future-well done!

walkgirl - 2011-04-06 07:48

hat is really nice!

 

You also have miniboomboxes? 

 

those are good'n boxes!

radio.raheem - 2011-04-06 09:55

Originally Posted by retro:
Originally Posted by Radio Raheem:

Fantastic show Retro It's a Real honour to finally see your collection...and that's some of the finest photography to ever hit stg....One thing i would like to ask and thats about the panna a2, yes it's loud but I hear they are bass shy..Is this true???thanks again..I think this is truly a stg highlight because I don't think you have ever shown your collection before... cheerz

The thing about the RX-A2 is that is has warm bass, but very hard hitting mid bass. I'ts the lower mid bass hit you would get from the PH-482 where you can actually feel it in your chest. But to answer the question, it's not the kind of bass you get from a 777z.  


Thanks Retro It may sound daft but im still not much the wiser....Does it sound like the fisher 480 or like the m90??? I would love to buy one but things putting me off is that it's not portable, altho i could soon remedy that with some hinges....If it sounds like the ph480 that realy isn't my cup of tea atleast it wasnt untill i fully modded it....i changed the speakers drilled holes in the back of the cabs...and put some m90 tweeters in...now my 480 sounds every bit as good as my m90 just not as loud..

retro - 2011-04-06 11:01

Minis are all I have room for now Walkgirl, there are a couple of Sanyo and Sony minis I'd like to purchase. RR, it has the best of both boxes, the low mid hit of the 480 and the vocals and clarity of the M90. The 480 was the first box that came to mind when I was trying to describe how hard it hits, but they do not sound alike. It's good for a BBQ or a tailgate party, but portable it's not, even though it runs on 10 D cells.

radio.raheem - 2011-04-06 12:39

Thanks Retro my friend...If I ever bought this boombox it would be with the idea of making her portable for out door use....one last question man....how heavy would you say the whole unit is in Pounds? because if she is that heavy then I guess portability is out of the question....referring to my modded m90...yes it's the best sounding boombox I have ever owned, but my god man the weight is another question lol...

lav.loo - 2011-04-07 05:13

first off, awesome collection RETRO, secondly...awesome photography, simply stunning boxes looking immaculate.

every collector should keep their boxes in that condition, absolutely mind blowing, congrats and thanks for sharing

kennedy - 2011-04-07 13:46

Wow, I haven't been round the site for a while but seeing pics like that remind me that I should drop in more often . . . . Some real gem's in there retro, as I'm sure you and your bank balance are both aware! 

 

Great pics 

 

KND

davebush - 2011-04-07 22:54

very impresive....thanks for uploading

radio.raheem - 2011-04-08 00:38

just looked at this thread again and as everyone says there all great boxes...but ya know what, the box that impresses me the most is the jvc-pc55 such an undarated box and as retro says..It was so ahead for it's time...When i joined here many years ago back in 2003/4 this was the box that was the heighest on my wish list....I wanted one so bad back in 83 it was unthinkable that I would ever get one...I used to have many strange dreams involving going back in time and getting a 55...anyway im using my modded one now.. It has a pair of sony speakers in and sounds utterly fantastic....Also this 55 looks like no other as it's all silver but at the bottom where the mick imputs are it's all black...I would post a pick but sombody must have put some strange posting access to my account wich makes it virtually impossible for me to share pics now anyway not to worry, thats the end of my waffle...the 55 is highly recommended... thanks Retro

driptip - 2011-04-09 09:37

hey Retro, i have heard some guys say that the big ben is super loud others say that the sound is not that great, what would you compare it in sound to?

and also whats the sound like on the 5700?

geoffhartwell - 2011-04-09 11:42

great collection retro and awesome pics to, top notch

retro - 2011-04-10 03:44

Originally Posted by driptip:

hey Retro, i have heard some guys say that the big ben is super loud others say that the sound is not that great, what would you compare it in sound to?

and also whats the sound like on the 5700?

What I really like about the Big Ben's sound, is the sweet high frequencies that emanate from the tweeters. I wouldn't say it's super loud, but loud enough especially with an ipod attached. The one thing that's a little awkward about this box, is that subwoofer has a separate volume control and sometimes it's difficult to get a balanced sound. The 5700 sounds flat and it's not very loud unlike other Panasonics I've heard. Thanks geoff, but I'd rather have your collection 

driptip - 2011-04-10 11:53

thanks Retro,

saxonman - 2011-04-14 13:25

oh lovely box's love it

p.k.rajan - 2011-06-09 09:59

Rich collection. Keep it up.

pioneer - 2011-08-08 05:23

Hey Retro,one word 'Ahhh'your Boombox's looked as though they were your children,superb quality photo's and all well sought after Boomer's kept in prestige condition.Brought me back to better time's  thank's Retro peace man!

retro - 2011-08-08 20:35

Thanks for the kind words PIONEER, and welcome back

walkgirl - 2011-08-08 23:49

Miniboomboxes are

 

you must throw them onto pictures one day so we can see them

- 2011-08-09 02:02

Originally Posted by walkgirl:

Miniboomboxes are

 

you must throw them onto pictures one day so we can see them

Mini or micro Cassette boombox's or just the Small Boombox's shaped like a loaf of bread - you know long and thin like? or better yet the small one's with regular cassette in them or could be considered a very powerfull "walkman" - with speakers?

 

So which one's are you looking to see - Boombox's with Micro or mini cassette's?

Or regular Casette's in Long n thin boombox's?