Hi, it's a while since I last added some pictures of my collection to the forum. I've taken some pics of my favourite boxes for you all to see.

Before I show you the photos, I will apologise for the abysmal quality compared with other people's pictures.

I will start with a couple of pretty unique boxes which many of you have probably never seen before.

Bush BR-5902A
This nice little unit has surprisingly good sound quality for the size of the woofers. I particulary like the real chrome trims, twin VU needle meters and the tweeters in the bottom corners. I've never seen them so low down before.


Grundig RR1000
I love this little one-piece radio. I've never had a Grundig stereo box before, only a monobox (Music Boy 160). I like everything about this Grundig. It's everything a cheezy '80s box should be. I like the red tweeter grilles, and I like the unusually shaped handle which folds round the back of the unit so it's flush with the rest of the radio. I like all the squares on it, the '80s grid design (which you sadly can't see on the pic), which appears all over the place, on the tape door, in the tuner window, everywhere. It's sounds okay too.


Now I'll start with the smaller boxes.

Sharp WQ-274
Now this is a special slimline box if ever there was one. How many have you seen with a graphic equalizer? This shiny gem has a very responsive four band equalizer. I like this unit for it's bassy & crispy clear sound, and the overall design.


Sharp GF-4949
I see this little unit as a 'posh' GF-4646. It's slightly bigger and sounds slightly better than the 4646 and is a better design in my opinion. I use this one quite a lot.


Sanyo M9975
This was one of the first 'proper' boomboxes I bought. I think it's tweeter grilles are it's best feature. They remind me of the really big M-X*** box (I can't remember the model number at the moment). Plus I like it's overall design.


Sanyo M4550
The design of this box makes it appear much larger than it really is. I like the placement of the tweeters, the twin VU needles in their own window at the bottom, and the dark blue tuner scale. It's a shame the woofers are smaller than the grilles.


Sharp GF-8989
This is mostly referred to as a large midsize box rather than a fullsize. Quite rightly too, it only takes eight D-cells. My 8989 is very problematic (and now doesn't work thanks to a popped fuse). I hope to get this one up and running properly at some point because I love the classic design, plus it took me ages to find one.


Now I'll move to the bigger stuff (which I know everyone would most like to see!)

Aiwa CS-600
This is my beater box. It looks good, but the tape deck was playing up something terrible and I've unplugged it from the circuit board. It sounds really good on radio with the DSL (Dynamic Super Loudness) button switched on. I just wish this model had more highs to match the thumping bass.


Sony CF-495
This is one serious monobox! It's massive, has a raft of features and is built like a tank. The tuner window lights up too. It's best feature has got to be the 'looks-matching' sound. The 8 inch woofer is very powerful. This machine has more bass than most of my stereo boxes, and the highs are very impressive too. I can't help thinking how cool a stereo version of this box would look, and sound!


Hitachi TRK-8080
I really like the design of this box with it's slanted top-mounted tuner window. I like the red 'power on' LED above the tape deck, and the woofers which look like they're out of a guitar amp.


Hitachi TRK-8200
I paid more for this box than all of my others apart from the Urban Assault Kaboom. I like the VU needles at the bottom of this unit, plus the sound is good (not very bassy but nice and clear). I have this one plugged into the Playstation 2 nearly all the time, for playing the sound when I'm on a game.


Hitachi TRK-8290
This is one of my favourites. It has a nice warm sound and the LED meters are nice to look at. I like the classic design and the chrome handle ends.


Hitachi TRK-8600
This one is also one of my favourites, more so than the TRK-8290. I love the super-tall appearance of this one and all the controls on the front. The bronze-effect brushed aluminium finish on the front is lovely. I like the twin VU needles above the tape deck and the section below the tape deck. The orange '3 Way' lettering is so '80s!


Sharp GF-575
I like this big box. The specially moulded woofer grilles are really nice. The sound is pretty meaty too.


Sharp GF-9000
Wow, what a box! I love the massive size of this one. I like the chrome bars across the woofers on this model. The GF-9000's best feature has to be the VU meter which I've had as my Avatar for quite a while (am I due a change of Avatar by the way?). This is one of the 'grails' and I've very pleased to own it. Although this machine sounds good on both tape and radio, I just wish it matched the evil looks!


Sharp GF-777
What can I say? It's a monster! Mine's now near-mint and fully working after a good cleanup which we talked about in an earlier thread. It's amazing, I only paid £10 for this one! This is the representative of my collection and is my best box at the moment. The design is fantastic. I still can't believe how big and heavy it is!


..with it's clothes on!


I hope you've enjoyed looking at the pictures, as much as I've enjoyed writing about the boxes depicted in them.

Thanks for looking,

wow!

thats a great collection!

great comments as well!

thanks for sharing man.

beautiful -- thanks

Amazing RA, keep it up. Strange, I remember you saying a couple of years ago, you like the "smaller" boomboxes

Exellent RA thanks for shairing.

RA you've got some great units there and I like the way you built up to the GF-777. Very nice and your pictures aren't the worst posted on this site. Have you seen mine? Better yet...Ira's?

Superb pics RA and a mighty fine collection!

Nice pics, and a good range of boxes though all with a definite theme of quality.
My eyes lit up at the GF9000 and 777 (why wouldn't they!) but I can also vouch for the 575 and 8989 as being decent boxes as a proud owner myself! I hope one day I'll own a 777 but I don't imagine it'll be any time soon...
Dunno about the Hitachi 8290 I've often seen them on the bay and I 'think' I like them but they're one of those boxes I just can't make up my mind about!

Great stuff RA. Never saw anything like that little white Grundig!

wooooow...I love your GF9000

Great collection Retro!!!! Thanks for showing them to us.

Beautiful Stuff RA, I love the cheezy Grundig..sumthin' new!

quote:

Originally posted by peter griffin:
Amazing RA, keep it up. Strange, I remember you saying a couple of years ago, you like the "smaller" boomboxes

Ah, well I'm 'educated' now. The small ones are nice, but the really big boxes are amazing!

quote:

Originally posted by oldskool69:
your pictures aren't the worst posted on this site. Have you seen mine?

Yes, like someone keeps turning the light off just as you press the shutter button! Your pictures are pretty good, lots of nice boxes on them.

quote:

Originally posted by 2steppa:
Nice pics, and a good range of boxes though all with a definite theme of quality.
My eyes lit up at the GF9000 and 777 (why wouldn't they!) but I can also vouch for the 575 and 8989 as being decent boxes as a proud owner myself! I hope one day I'll own a 777 but I don't imagine it'll be any time soon...
Dunno about the Hitachi 8290 I've often seen them on the bay and I 'think' I like them but they're one of those boxes I just can't make up my mind about!

Thanks for the comments, and yes, the 8290 is a very nice box. Sure, it isn't the best sounding model out there, but does it have to be? It sounds pleasant, and the build quality of the unit is awesome. If you can find a nice one at a small price, I say get it. You'll love it!

quote:

Originally posted by Daiwa:
Great stuff RA. Never saw anything like that little white Grundig!

Thanks Daiwa, it's actually cream by the way. I like the back of it too, because it's a bit rounded (bulged out) and is made of that retro brown plastic.

Thanks for all your replies. I enjoyed making the opening post!

What a great collection ! Where does one start ? You have such a diverse selection there but I think I like the Hitachi's the best ? They just seem a little more exotic to me. (I love the Sharps but saw them a lot growing up)Of the Hitachi's the TRK-8600 is the freshest looking box you have posted (imho) and it probably knocks as Hitachi always seemed to make quality electronics...at least the home stereo stuff I've had the opportunity to hear

Great Stuff and thanks for sharing it. Pics of a large quantity of stuff like this take a lot of time and make a huge mess sometimes so I appreciate you doing all of this for us

last thing cause I'll go on forever... I love the two obscurities you posted first The Bush is very classic looking with all the silver and I too love the lower tweeter setting, you don't see that everyday. On to the Grundig... I love it ! Totally 80's ! 100% it looks small & thin but flashy and very portable. Cool units all around and a great collection Thanks Again for sharing

Just out of curiosity how many boxes got cut from the photo shoot ?

Fantastic boomboxes RetroAddict!

The sanyo is one of my favourites!

Thanks RA, I really like the captions.

Beautifully presented RA. These boxes kept getting better as I scrolled down. You've got variety. Thanks for sharing.

quote:

Originally posted by Smokin_Endo:
What a great collection ! Where does one start ? You have such a diverse selection there but I think I like the Hitachi's the best ? They just seem a little more exotic to me. (I love the Sharps but saw them a lot growing up)Of the Hitachi's the TRK-8600 is the freshest looking box you have posted (imho) and it probably knocks as Hitachi always seemed to make quality electronics...at least the home stereo stuff I've had the opportunity to hear

Firstly, thanks very much for writing such a lovely post! The Hitachis do seen to have an extra 'flair', the designs are really interesting - theres plenty to look at. When you said [about the 8600] "it probably knocks", I'm assuming you mean the sound? Well, not really. Portable Hitachis don't really tend to sound that great overall. Yes, they sound nice, but the models I have are not big on bass. The 8600 is the best for bass, but I like the overall sound of the 8200 more. It has more 'life' to it, whereas the 8600 sounds a bit bland imho. That said though, I think the 8600 stands alone when playing from a cassette, it sounds lovely.

quote:

Great Stuff and thanks for sharing it. Pics of a large quantity of stuff like this take a lot of time and make a huge mess sometimes so I appreciate you doing all of this for us

Yes, I made an awful mess to take those pictures Smokin_Endo, it's nice that someone realises. All of my collection is in one room (which happens to be the room I sleep in!), so you can imagine how long it takes doing acrobats over the bed, moving boomboxes so I can get to the wardrobe, then opening the wardrobe door and taking out more boomboxes, then putting ones back in and taking a picture and climbing over boomboxes while carrying one to put it down and grab another and... well, you get the picture! This is why I don't rotate my collection very often! I like to leave things as they are and try to move around the boxes which are out. It's horrendous. Maybe people can understand now why I decided to take pictures of just my favourite ones, it would have taken all day otherwise, and I'd have been very tired afterwards. Some are really heavy!

quote:

last thing cause I'll go on forever... I love the two obscurities you posted first The Bush is very classic looking with all the silver and I too love the lower tweeter setting, you don't see that everyday.

Thanks! It has a nice sound, especially with Stereo-Wide on. I actually saw another today, almost identical to mine, but the new one was a BR-5906, where mines a BR-5902. On the left of the tuner window (where on mine there's some writing), on the 5906 there was a digital clock! I didn't get the box though, it wasn't in as good condition as mine plus I haven't got the room for anymore (unless it has RC-M90 written on it! ).

quote:

[ On to the Grundig... I love it ! Totally 80's ! 100% it looks small & thin but flashy and very portable. Cool units all around and a great collection Thanks Again for sharing

Yes, I love the Grundig. It's a shame the picture wasn't better, you'd like it much more if you could see all the squares! Amazing!! You're welcome by the way.

quote:

Just out of curiosity how many boxes got cut from the photo shoot ?

About as many again! I've got over 45 I think. Too many, far far too many. I am thinning down though, and I want to keep just my best ones. Thanks again for the response!

quote:

Originally posted by THAFUZZ:
Beautifully presented RA. These boxes kept getting better as I scrolled down. You've got variety. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks again everybody for their posts. Yes THAFUZZ, I do have a lot of variety. I just love '80s boomboxes. I love the '80s, and like owning and using stuff from that time as everyday things. It stops me getting brainwashed into believing the rounded modern rubbish we see in the shops is 'good'. A lot of the cheaper boxes I have though (with only tone controls for example), I wouldn't get them nowadays. They have nothing that interests me now. Boring, crap. I've sort of 'moved up', and am now hunting all the big high quality ones with all the features and big sound (which have proved much harder to get than the cheap sh*te! ). I want one of those big Panasonics (not so much the 'upside down' ones, but the RX-5*** models), and an M90. A lasonic would be good, also a JC2000 (got to have one!). That would be it I think. I only want the big boys now, and at some point I'll probably only have a select few 'special' models smaller than the likes of a GF-8989. BTW I set up the pics for that reason - to get better and better towards the end! Thanks for the post!

Beautiful collection RA, thanks for posting!

Retro Addict, nice units! and your description very similar to my own, specially on the 8989 and the 9000 right on the money. thanks for sharing.

Great collection!

Thanks for the write up on the 9000. Ive always wondered about that box, and was considering looking for one.

I like the bark to match the bite!

quote:

Originally posted by Fuzzyduck:
Beautiful collection RA, thanks for posting!

Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by driptip:
Retro Addict, nice units! and your description very similar to my own, specially on the 8989 and the 9000 right on the money. thanks for sharing.

Yep, both the 8989 and 9000 are nice units. The 8989 is the perfect size, and the 9000 is a fantastic unit to use. I've learned to live the 9000's lacking bass response and it's a really nice sounding box! I do need to modify it inside though. The bass sounds amazing at the back of the unit, but crap from the front.

What can I do to make the bass thump out of the front too? Does anyone have any ideas?

quote:

Originally posted by JLF:
Great collection!

Thanks for the write up on the 9000. Ive always wondered about that box, and was considering looking for one.

I like the bark to match the bite!

Thanks JLF! The 9000 is a beautful box , sexy in the flesh.

Shame about the sound though. I will have to do something about that. I will like it better if and when I can get it to sound as good as it looks.

Just a question...

I noticed that this thread has been given a 5-star rating, and a few others have. Who's the single voter, and how is it done?

Thanks.

Each one of your monsters must be five-star rated. I love big boxes too, but I'm still awaiting some ones to add soon.

I'm enjoying each photo you post in this forum, and many people in my work site too. Thanks for the pictures!

And of course, the 9000 is one of my expense dreams!

at the top of each page there is a little tab on the left that reads "rate it"

Another 5 stars headed your way

PS I have 25 complete bikes from the 80's that I drag out for group photos once a year so I understand your struggle LOL Again great pics and write ups... just a cool thread

I have just rated this thread 5 star, thats three votes probbly the highest rated thread of all time .

Just thought I'd reply to a couple of these...

quote:

Originally posted by Smokin_Endo:
at the top of each page there is a little tab on the left that reads "rate it"

Another 5 stars headed your way

PS I have 25 complete bikes from the 80's that I drag out for group photos once a year so I understand your struggle LOL Again great pics and write ups... just a cool thread

Thanks Smokin_Endo, I just made my first 5-star vote, for Ghettoblaster68's bbx collection thread! It has to be done!

BTW are your bikes like mountain bikes, BMX's and choppers or motorbikes?

quote:

Originally posted by rimmer36:
I have just rated this thread 5 star, thats three votes probbly the highest rated thread of all time .

Thanks!

And to this thread (without a picture sadly), I can add my 'fairly recently' acquired fully working JVC RC-656. This is definately one of my nicest boxes now, and it delivers that wonderful Biphonic Stereo sound!