I have a question: What's the best sounding portable boombox ever made??
In other words who's the king?
I'm guessing it might be the Sharp GF-777 or the JVC M-90.
I haven't heard these-I just got a GF-777 and am fixing it up but I've never heard the JVC M-90.
I love these stereos-I'm really excited to be fixing & restoring a GF-777.
I also have 2 JVC PC-55's-these sound great & are loud.
Could anyone answer this-I'll bet everyone has they're favorite.Thanks-GhettoBoom777.

The Kansaki 'Lovely Sound' PX-5 is quite a catch.

quote:

Originally posted by agentorange:
The Kansaki 'Lovely Sound' PX-5 is quite a catch.

Hello Ghettoboom! Congratulations on your 777 - it would be great if you could post some pics of it as you fix it up.
There are lots of opinions out there about what sounds best so here is mine. I have an m90 and a 777. Some people have 777's and think that the sound is not good and others think the sound is great. I have been confused by this and I've seen several threads about it. I am starting to have a theory that many 777's were made in china and these are coming in to the U.S alot lately and maybe these chinese ones don't have the same quality of sound as the ones originally made in Japan. I have a 777h which is the european model made in japan and it really sounds fantastic to me. I love the sound of my 777.
But the m90 to me is the best sounding one piece boombox and is the king of boomboxes. It is much better than anything else I have heard. For three piece boxes, the telefunken studio 1m seems to be the most highly regarded. I have never heard one of them yet. I hope to get one of them someday.

word for word - i agree about the 777 mixed reviews and also about the m90

quote:

Originally posted by appleknocker:
I am starting to have a theory that many 777's were made in china

quote:

Originally posted by appleknocker:
Hello Ghettoboom! Congratulations on your 777 - it would be great if you could post some pics of it as you fix it up.
There are lots of opinions out there about what sounds best so here is mine. I have an m90 and a 777. Some people have 777's and think that the sound is not good and others think the sound is great. I have been confused by this and I've seen several threads about it. I am starting to have a theory that many 777's were made in china and these are coming in to the U.S alot lately and maybe these chinese ones don't have the same quality of sound as the ones originally made in Japan. I have a 777h which is the european model made in japan and it really sounds fantastic to me. I love the sound of my 777.
But the m90 to me is the best sounding one piece boombox and is the king of boomboxes. It is much better than anything else I have heard. For three piece boxes, the telefunken studio 1m seems to be the most highly regarded. I have never heard one of them yet. I hope to get one of them someday.

Hi appleknocker-I might do that-I got a 777-H for $69.99 on e-bay-Lucky-huh??.
The cassette's don't work but the radio does.It looks like it needs cassette doors and speaker grills.other than that it all there.
I have alway wanted one of these but couldn't afford the $400-700.
I may need some advice on fixing the cassette part of it but I am somewhat technically inclined but not like some of you guys here.
I'm really glad I found this forum-it's really cool.
There's nothing like partying outside drinking beer & listening to your favoite tunes.
My old school favorite was my GF-8989II which I gave to my girlfriend for H.S. Graduation back in 85'.
I just got one on E-bay for cheap and it works beautifully except for the F.F. & Rew. being sluggish-belts needed!!
Man are these great sounding stereos and are they loud.So I'm really excited to start the 777.I haven't started yet but I will let you know next week when I do.
Thanks again!!-Ghettoboom777.
(P.S.-My next one will be the infamous M-90!!)

FOR ME






National Panasonic RS4300



If I have to choose a mono box ....



National Panasonic RF520

But I've never listenned a M90 or a 777 ... I guess the M90 would be the best without effort, because the M70 (I have one) is a great machine.

We all know who the real king is

This is really a subjective question. What sounds the best to you might sound not so great to the next person.

Are you asking in terms of 1 piece boomboxes, or 3 piece boxes? The higher end 3 piece boxes are going to sound the best overall, as they have seperate enclosures for the speakers.

For me, on the 1 piece boxes, Aiwa has a few that are really nice (660, 600, 880). Sanyo has some good ones too, I have the M-X720 and it's a very sweet sounding boombox. The 777 is ok, but not the best. It can be improved with speaker replacements.

Hi-I'm talking about all-1 piece & 3 piece.
I love the sharps but have not been fortunate to hear a JVC M-90.
These are the 2 that I've heard the most about.
It's cool to see what everybody's favorite is.
Thanks-ghettoboom777

Hello ghettoboom777

I open a topic a few months ago, it called "Hifi DIN 45500". That was a german DIN for sound-quality. Those boxes had a sound-quality like big home stereo-systems, highs you could cut class with and deep bass you just know from a subwoofer.

I'm a collector for these boxes - Bboxes with the best posible sound quality. I also had the 777 and PMS 7004 and other 1 piece boxes, but you can't get a sound out of a plastic box which is not stable. I didn't hear the Conion or the M90, for shure they sound great. But you can't break the pysical rules - to get a great sound you need to have a closed or a bass-reflex system with a great speaker system ...

The number one of sound is the Telefunken M1 - it got 2 x 30 Watts, but it isn't the loudest, but for shure the best sounding Boombox I've heard till yet. If you are looking for more infos take a look in the "DIN 45500"-topic ...

Best wishes
TOM

quote:

Originally posted by hifitom:
Hello ghettoboom777

I open a topic a few months ago, it called "Hifi DIN 45500". That was a german DIN for sound-quality. Those boxes had a sound-quality like big home stereo-systems, highs you could cut class with and deep bass you just know from a subwoofer.

I'm a collector for these boxes - Bboxes with the best posible sound quality. I also had the 777 and PMS 7004 and other 1 piece boxes, but you can't get a sound out of a plastic box which is not stable. I didn't hear the Conion or the M90, for shure they sound great. But you can't break the pysical rules - to get a great sound you need to have a closed or a bass-reflex system with a great speaker system ...

The number one of sound is the Telefunken M1 - it got 2 x 30 Watts, but it isn't the loudest, but for shure the best sounding Boombox I've heard till yet. If you are looking for more infos take a look in the "DIN 45500"-topic ...

Best wishes
TOM

Hi Tom-Thanks for that.
How about putting some Dyne Audio drivers in one these?? The best car stereo speakers in the world!! Just an idea-I know the impediance might be a factor.Or you can just hook up some externals.
That would be insane if you could put Dynes in a Sharp or JVC. The darn magnets though are as big as the speaker though!! I have many dynes in my car-I can't even describe how insane the clarity of these speakers are.Especially with top-end amps & crossovers but that's another thing-car stereos.
Thanks-ghettoboom777.

Sorry, ghettoboom777, excuse my, less-than serious reply. We had an obsession with 'Kansaki'-esque landfill a while back...or was it just me? damn!

It's clear that sound quality wasn't really top of the priority list for the bulk of manufacturers, it was all about the 'look' or the 'bluff' as I call it, i.e. making knobs look metal, casing 'massive', speakers bigger & plentifull etc, etc you know the kind of think, loads of pointless switches & lights.

Then there were a few models that just went that bit further to ensure the sound was a notch above the usual 'awfull' that most boomboxes deploy.

A lot of collectors are convinced that their 'glitzy' boxes sound superb but these guys love these boxes like we love our children "of course my child is the best", well, naturally.

Then there were a few understated boxes that came & went with no fuss & no flashy lights which we as a forum have discovered to be priceless gems in the sound quality league. i.e. the Aiwa TPR-990 & the Sanyo M9998.

Here's a question to you all. You're going fishing in the mountains by yourself (do fish go up mountains?) anyway, you need a box to keep you company. There will be nobody around to impress & you want a nice relaxing afternoon by yourself plus that tape you're wife's sick of hearing. In short, all about the sound quality, looks/image is meaningless.

Now, which box do you take?

Hello ghettoboom777

I'm not the one for tuning those old great boxes. I like them the way they are and wanne keep them original.

Why tuning a box (like the 777) with expensive speakers when you get a better result of a original Bbox? Don't matter what kind of speakers you put in the 777, it would never had such a great sound like the M1 has.

Best wishes
TOM

RX-DT707 beats all the world alone. One reason why the 707 enjoys special esteem, for me, above all other boxes, is that its flaws are absolutely certain and indisputable, while those of other boxes are to some extent debatable and in constant danger of being argued to absurdity. Plus I like the moving top.

I most agree with agent at some points. Of course is subjetive.

Never a RS4300 will sound like a Sansui BA-CA
or an AUX1 or a 717 with the 719 turner. Of course 777 or an M90 can't compare too. They are portables, no separates. So sound quality isn't the main issue of the design.

But my child (isn't mine) has a discrete output stage built with transistors. Don't use an IC AMP made by another manufacturer .... And the RF520 too.
Then, all started to use CHIP AMPLIFIERS, even made by anothers !!!! (ej: Sharp use Sanyo, JVC use mitsumi(Panasonic), and Panasonic use Rohn) ... designs were less accurate and more profitteable ... and had smonthed the quality since all were using the solution of it's neighbor. Of course they were free to use diffentet speakers and cabinet designs, but the upper limit hve been shown ....
It doesnt bother to me, I like all !!!

quote:

Originally posted by agentorange:
...Here's a question to you all. You're going fishing in the mountains by yourself (do fish go up mountains?) anyway, you need a box to keep you company. There will be nobody around to impress & you want a nice relaxing afternoon by yourself plus that tape you're wife's sick of hearing. In short, all about the sound quality, looks/image is meaningless.

Now, which box do you take?

Now that's a good question, Cris. I reckon this could be a separate topic.

Assuming I must draw from my own collection (& an inexhaustable supply of batteries), it would be the Kaboom for me.
It just sounds so grown-up & well... proper. It's pleasing to my ears - I just like it.
I know everyone bangs on about it having too much bass, but you can turn that bass down to a sensible level (I'm a basshead anyway, so it's right up my street). No, it's not HiFi either, but we've been there 100 times before too.

If however, I was paying for the batteries, it would be my little Philips D8132 or the Sony ZX7, as they both take only 4 D-cells & I like the sound of both of them.

...if I had to carry it up the mountain myself, the Kaboom wouldn't get a look in, of course

paul check pm

Well a boombox is an object so my opinion of others opinion of their boxes is objectivly subjective. I like the moving top.

quote:

Originally posted by isolator42:
...if I had to carry it up the mountain myself, the Kaboom wouldn't get a look in, of course

not 100% true:

...me on hols last year in the lovely, tranquil Lake District (well it was until we turned up - I'm sure it's fine again by now...)

quote:

Originally posted by rimmer36:
paul check pm

done & sorted Tim...

quote:

Originally posted by isolator42:

quote:

Originally posted by isolator42:
...if I had to carry it up the mountain myself, the Kaboom wouldn't get a look in, of course

not 100% true:

...me on hols last year in the lovely, tranquil Lake District (well it was until we turned up - I'm sure it's fine again by now...)

quote:

Originally posted by rimmer36:
paul check pm

done & sorted Tim...

exelent pick paul nice one.

If i had to take a boombox out it would eather be the kaboom or the m90 or the gf1000 the rest havnt got the power or the sound quality,

power and sound quality matter to me more outdoors than inside.

quote:

Originally posted by transamguy1977:
We all know who the real king is

it's like deja vu all over again Guess this is a question all new members ask? like a intiation type of question

These are my two choices. M90 for 1 piece, and Sony FH-5 for 3 piece. I've listened to the FH-5, PC-55 and PH490k, and RX-DT690. Don't have an M1, but the FH-5 sounds better then all of them. Maybe not as loud as the others, but better overall sound

quote:

Originally posted by isolator42:

quote:

Originally posted by isolator42:
...if I had to carry it up the mountain myself, the Kaboom wouldn't get a look in, of course

not 100% true:

...me on hols last year in the lovely, tranquil Lake District (well it was until we turned up - I'm sure it's fine again by now...)

quote:

Originally posted by rimmer36:
paul check pm

done & sorted Tim...

Hi isolator42-I've had my eyes on a Kaboom for a while.I think there's a few models.It looks like you have the 'big' one.What model is yours?? & what year??
I'm going to get one of these by spring because I love bass.
As far as a 3 piece-I'm very impressed by my JVC PC-55JW.
With new Duracells & I use maxell Metal reference tapes,the sound clality is superb.It actually seems to sound better on batteries!
The power is very impressive-I can hardly go up to 5 on the volume and I'm just rockin'!!
Some of my girls friends were just amazed with this box when I bought it back in 1985'.
What a great stereo.I really like the JVC's.
The M-90 is one of my final purchases but they go for about 700-1,000!!
Thanks everyone for your inputs-Ghettoboom777.

I've tried to find out wich the best sounding 1 piece is from another point of view-using the same speakers on every one.
So I took a pair of JVC speakers 15 watts 8 ohm bass reflex in wooden boxes.The power of 15 watts is close to many BBX-s power and the 8 ohm can be used on any of them even it they are made for a lower impedance.And the speakers I choose sounds super with an incredible powerfull bass.
I tested all my boxes and the JVCs in my opinion have the best sound. Very well balanced sound very nice low and high frequencies and low distortion.powerfull bass and high definition highs if I may exprime myself this way.The other ones(Sharp,Panasonic,Audio Sonic,Sony etc)are under the JVC.
And I would like to mention especially the rc 838 wich generally is known as a bass shie box.Well,I can state that it has a very good bass.And played on these above mentioneted speakers it is at least as much louder as the gf9595(rc 838 2x 2,4 watts at 3,2 ohms---gf9595 2x6watts at 4 ohms,so who is exagerating the specifications a litle?)
There are lots of stereos not included in this test so it's just my own opinion that generally the JVC are the best sounding portables.

Here are my best sounding to date:

Sansui CP-99W: Very clear, punchy and crisp. Not the most powerful or loudest but best overall. The multidimension feature expands the sound stage without losing presence.


National/Panasonic RX-C100: Very powerful, bass thumpin. Another excellent sounding unit. Loses to the Sansui only because the loudness function can be too heavy handed at times.


Panasonic RX-DT680: The last of the great "square" boxes. Fantastic sounding unit. Comes in third due to requiring the bass to be cut back when you turn it up and sounding a little shrill if the EQ is not just right. Probably has to do with the fact that it's made for CD's. Bi-Amp/Bi-Wire feature is great though along with remote.


Pioneer CK-5F: This on would be at the top except for one thing, it's speakers. Unique designs deliver unique results and that's the case here. While great sounding, the flat 22cm surface area of the speaker is designed to equal an 8" cone woofer. And at that it excels. But the 9cm integrated full range cone gives you what you get with a 9cm (4 inch) full range cone sharing the space wih a woofer. Remember whizzer cones? If it had a dedicated tweeter like it's baby brother the CK-3 or big brother, CK-11 this may be different. Must admit, it truly has the most home stereo feel of the bunch.


JVC-PC55: This one now resides with hifitom. Clarity, clarity, clarity. Very good sound. Another "Home Stereo". Weakness...lack of punch. For al the great things to be said about this unit, strong tuner, features galore, best deck out there... it lacks punch when you crank it. Will I get another? YES! But there is only so much engineering you can do with a 4" woofer in a boombox. JVC made a career of this in the early-mid nineties. Just don't look for floor rumbling sound. But for AC/DC or Twisted Sister, this is your unit.


National/Panasonic RX-C300: Another feature loaded logic unit. Three way speakers sound great but for a unit this size you wonder, "Why doesn't it punch like it's older brother the RX-C100?" Very clear sounding unit, but it may be better served with bass reflex speakers with a longer throw woofer versus a sealed enclosure. Gotta love the spectrum analyzer too!


There's my two cents!

Great info oldschool, but more like six cents worth... I never knew there was a box with a spectrum analyzer! I guess you could find the sweet spot in every room with that one!

daiwa sharp makes a 3 pice box with a spectrum analizer ,i just cant remember the model number.

This one

sony and hitatchi make boomers with spectrum analysers too daiwa i have the hitachi but sadly it sounds sh1t.

quote:

Originally posted by jvc floyd:
daiwa sharp makes a 3 pice box with a spectrum analizer ,i just cant remember the model number.

I have it. It's the Sharp WF-939Z. Double Auto Reverse Cassette, 10 Band Graphic Eq, SW Ready, 3 Way Speaker w/Square Woofers, Timer, APLD, APSS. It's a nice box that sounds really good. It's main issue is build quality compared to my others.

Wow, oldschool69, you got the 3 piece collection cornered. Nice

quote:

Originally posted by oldskool69:

quote:

Originally posted by jvc floyd:
daiwa sharp makes a 3 pice box with a spectrum analizer ,i just cant remember the model number.

I have it. It's the Sharp WF-939Z. Double Auto Reverse Cassette, 10 Band Graphic Eq, SW Ready, 3 Way Speaker w/Square Woofers, Timer, APLD, APSS. It's a nice box that sounds really good. It's main issue is build quality compared to my others.

aaahhh ,i knew it i was just scared of being wrong,lol wf939z i remember seeing a modded one some where .

quote:

Originally posted by jvc floyd:
aaahhh ,i knew it i was just scared of being wrong,lol wf939z i remember seeing a modded one some where .

From the Pocket Calculator Show Site:

WF-939z Normal


WF-939z L.E.D. Modified

quote:

Originally posted by peter griffin:
Wow, oldschool69, you got the 3 piece collection cornered. Nice

I wish! That would be our friend Bryann!

All very boss, to bad none have a nifty moving top.

yea thats my modded Sharp WF939z.. was surprised you say the biuld quality is so-so.. i think it had a high quality biuld.. and it was damn loud to boot.. kinda wish i didnt sell it now..

quote:

Originally posted by themightyrepairer:
yea thats my modded Sharp WF939z.. was surprised you say the biuld quality is so-so.. i think it had a high quality biuld.. and it was damn loud to boot.. kinda wish i didnt sell it now..

If you've picked up a PC-55, Marantz, the Pioneer you know...what the heck am I saying, I know you know. In comparison to the others of earlier builds manufacturing quality was in decline. No box, even the lovely DT-680 could compare to beasts like the PH-490/492, CP-7, or others like it. At that point I think three (or more) piece units peaked as more of a home stereo with a handle than others. I love my Sharp, which needs some TLC too (I'll PM you on this one.), but it isn't built like those early three piece (or more) tanks. BTW kick a** mod! Too bad you sold it!

quote:

Originally posted by ghettoboom777:
Hi isolator42-I've had my eyes on a Kaboom for a while.I think there's a few models.It looks like you have the 'big' one.What model is yours?? & what year??...

Mine is the RV-NB10, bought brand new. It's a full-size Kaboom, it plays MP3 CDs & has a tape deck. Check out this post (might have to scroll down a bit) where I posted a summary of the Kaboom models.

quote:

Originally posted by bogdan:
I've tried to find out wich the best sounding 1 piece is from another point of view-using the same speakers on every one...
...And I would like to mention especially the rc 838 wich generally is known as a bass shie box.Well,I can state that it has a very good bass...

That's an interesting way of testing.
In any audio system, the speakers are always the easiest way to upgrade the sound. You try some decent hifi speakers with a £30 shelf system & see what I mean.
It seems a well known fact that the woofers on the JVC RC-838 were weedy. B-box repair guru & s2g member FYJ2972 (Frank) refoamed the original woofers on his 838, with good results

i can say beyond any shadow of a doubt of all the boomboxes i own the robo disco i own is the coolest loudest sounding one i have.
i really like it alot.
it is extremely loud and fairly balanced. i think it has to be 30 percent louder than the kaboom.