Fellow BBX enthusiasts, this is a long time coming, but no less exciting for me, as I am finally ready to reveal my design for the ultimate 21st Century Boombox. This design and subsequent development, refining, and editing took over 2 years to complete, starting out with initial designs in Adobe Illustrator, and then migrating over to Photoshop for final rendering, color application and effects.

Recently my busy teaching and master's student schedule has prohibited my "futsing" around with my design, so I told myself, this break, (I have a short two weeks off while I prepare for next term...), that I would get these panels finished and get her up online for all to see. There was momentary panic to finish my design and show it first when I heard the new Lasonic was being released, but now that I've seen it, I have no worries about having stolen any intellectual property from this new, basically "cassette ripped out for ipod" box.

I think you'll see, that Daiwa Industries has come up with a far more quality, feature-filled box the likes of which we have never seen. New technology is inevitable, but this box reflects, I think, what many old school box lovers still want in a box... one that plays cassettes, with lots of presence, many inputs and features, and wide, dynamic range that can be heard thumping on the street. Features on the CX4 are certainly over the top, however, the purists in the crowd (of which I consider myself...) will hopefully find balance in the proud salute to the real boombox feel and intensity when you face this huge BBX... yet rest assured that this box can handle most any popular format by flipping it around to reveal the rear hub of features and interaction. The CX4 also features internet functionality and connectivity that can expand and grow with technology over the next decade plus.

As mentioned in the copy for each panel, much of the inspiration came from my favorite boxes, especially the Sharp GF 9000, the Aiwa CS 600, and assorted aspects of many of the big boys like JVC and Conion.

I must also acknowledge the fine folks from S2G who gave me feedback, like Joe Cool, Dave LC2, AutoReverser, Uncle Ed, Transamguy, even all the crazy mod'ers like Manley and Ned, all an inspiration to pushing the limits and damning the torpedos of convention!!. I do hope I didn't forget anyone who gave me feedback, it was all invaluable, and done in strict secrecy, so thanks. Also, I should acknowledge fellow S2G'er beatbox for inspiring the lighting features, based on his "unilite" idea, I had to incorporate that cool feature into the box near the end of the design, but it was just too cool to leave out.

So, without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, I give you the future of boombox design and innovation, the Daiwa Industries CX4 Sidewinder!

Enjoy~
Daiwa

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These should have gone in here, originally!

Is that a four deck design?!?!? So the speakers come off at all? Are those sub ports on the side?!?!?!? Where do I order? To heck with the i931!!!

That's pretty cool D! You're only missing one feature...the motion sensor!!! (Or did I miss it?)

Ummm...How heavy is it?

Ehh, that's all fine and everything, but how does it sound?

CONGRATS, Dave...I knew she'd finally make it.

well full marks for the artist side but apart from the ipod dock and the angled vu meters rather garish and in my consideration ugly ,

Great imagination Dave, and crew love it
Now if we could only get Madonna to sit on it, it would sell like hotcakes

What about a graphics LCD on the cass door for all readouts of the BBX (like tuner, volume, counter) as well as deck programming.

I just now noticed the "webbed stabilizer feet"! OMG!

Olschool
Yes, the CX4 is heavy. Helps keep it stablized.
Motion sensors are built into the alarm system and of course, the leveling feature detects changes in balance, to keep it level.

LCD on the door, hummmm, I don't know Success, I don't want to go "overboard"...

Yep, the CX4 has "duck feet" Fatdog, I thought Fuzzy might really take a liking to that feature...

you didn't mention it: what is the housing made of ? plastic ? aluminium ? titanium ? i would prefer titanium... yeah, four decks - good, bro, does that baby have built-in mics (...to record a live-concert f.ex.) ???
i dislike that ipod-connection...

anyway, extremely cool job, r u taking orders yet ?

Ah, but yes I did mention it my friend. Take a look at panel 4, the close-up shot on the right side, bottom, you will see "Recycleable thermo plastic molded construction makes box virtually bullet proof". Some of the new plastics are amazing! Of course, the body fits into two stainless steel panels top and bottom. This new plastic is so light, that the Stainless steel doesn't make it prohibitive weight wise.

In panel six, right next to the EQ, you'll see in green text, "1 of 2 condenser mic ports with built-in noise gate compression". This was inspired by the Aiwa CS 600, as it can make some great live recordings and actually adjusts for peak sounds using the built in compressor.

Well, everyone has their likes and dislikes, and I agree, I'm no ipod guy. But my goal was to design a box that would please a wide range of users, ultimate functionality, at least some of the latest technology.

Here's a couple views of the FULL back array, not sure how these panels didn't preview correctly... This too may clear a few things up...

Did I miss the USB ports and SD slots? And do you incorporate HI-COM or Super ANRS technologies from Telefunken or JVC respectively for the deck?

I would buy one if the case was made of unobtainium.

Ol S- yeah, USB, well it's not a computer, but if I were doing this for real, I'd poll the masses here, and see what functionality is most desirable, that's for certain. We could certainly include USB, firewire, etc...

Spud, you're cracking me up! If we used unobtainium, the budget would be shot!

Way to go Daiwa! Well done Sir. Can I order one with a Flux capacitor to power it?

Thanks Fuzz. I do believe the Flux Compacitor powered the "Back to the Future" Deloren, did't it?

Well, not sure how we'd mount one of these on the body of the CX4, with all the features it already has... but that for sure beats a cadmium battery!!!

O.... M.... G!!!!!!!!!!

I know rambo would have really liked it.

That's like a boombox outta space! Great artwork Daiwa! That must have took months!

..."And do you incorporate HI-COM or Super ANRS technologies from Telefunken or JVC respectively for the deck?"
Yo, Ol S, you got it, the latest in search capabilities, can be controlled manually or with remote. Fully programable. The front servo controls can link all four decks together to play consecutively, random, etc... That's 360 minutes of non-stop action! Great for parties.


Thanks RA 4 props. "That must have took months!"
Actually, it was a couple years of futzing around with the design and features, additions, subtractions... When you spend as much time online as I do between my Masters program and my classes, it's nice to just have a relaxing project to take a break and mess around on. I had time to finish it over my last break.

Don't worry, I have more ideas... I always have more ideas... The next one will be 'Flux Compacitor powered!

Quite simply, WOW. I love it!!!

I love how you say in this panel that the digital diode bars are the 'focal point'

Let me re-arrange my focus before having to focus in on any one point!!!

Well done again, super job!

Thanks Beat! I wuz wondering where all the closet designers were at... Fuzzy hasn't even commented on the "webbed feet" yet.

when should we start seeing this thing on the street?

Yeah, good question Ramon! We need to have Ed hit the lottery or something. Then he could fund all of Ned's Mad ideas, and we could build the new Daiwa Industries Manufacturing Plant here in the Mile HI, and have a new venue for S2G's American headquarters!

Very nice work Daiwa!

Thanks Retro. I put a lot of thought/work into it. It's a nice diversion when I need a break from classes... scheming on a totally new design, out of the box, so to speak...

Any interest in doing a 3D version of the CX4? I could send you the raw photoshop files...

did u ever put out the bbx calendar?

how about some LCD screen with touch on controls.

and also anti-theft system with low jack.

Yo, Javier
Yes, the back panel has a touch screen control.
Look at the back console page. The "Dig Con" is a touch screen that controls the digital functions of the CX-4.

I just realized that some of the panels are very slow to load. The front array that shows and explains the alarm/anti theft features are in the sixth panel, page one, of this post. Thanks for your comments.