I found out quite a few 8" speaker bboxes have bad sound and distortion galore.Some smaller ones sound louder and clear.
What do you think?

I have a Rising box with 8's and it's all show, no go.
I agree and would love to know why as well...

I think the Lasonic 931 has a bit of GO. But the smaller 920 sure cranks it up!!! Don't know why that is though.

There's more to good quality sound than just speaker diameter - take the Crown SZ-5100; huge white cool as you like speakers (8") but a puny piddly little amp and the worst acoustic characteristics imaginable. Result? Tinny, weak, bass light, hollow, underwhelming.
I remember old valve radio sets with the 'Elac' huge 8" speaker with a tiny voice coil rated at 3 watts!

BUT, still my favourite looker, just so cool so I still have a major soft spot for this bbox

quote:

I have a Rising box with 8's and it's all show, no go.
I agree and would love to know why as well...

I think there's something wrong with your Rising.
These boxes have great sound and strong bass characteristics.

Care to go into detail? What do you mean by no go?

I have few 8 incher boxes..
my J1,sounds rather good,nice bass ect but the cabinet sometimes shakes and rattles..
Then my crown sz5100,not got huge bass but i can crank it almost full with no distortion..
Then there's my GF9000 8" bass,sounds quite good but the bass is'nt huge,this box was the biggest shock for me,i did expect alot more..
the box i have(which will destroy all these) is my Pana DT680,5" speaker ?,but this has thunerous bass..then theres my Pc55,5" ?,lots of bassy notes,excellent quality,but my biggest surprise is my PC5,4" speakers,but you just would'nt beleve the sound that these come out with,4" bass with but 10" bass and sound..these are amaizing !

speaker size is NOT the determining factor. A speaker will only perform as good as the ENCLOSURE that it resides in. You can have the best speaker in the world, but if you put it in a situation where the Thiele/Small parameters are not met, it will sound like ass.......

Speaker material also plays into it, which also affects dampening. Look at the GF-1000 white drivers, pretty, but pieces of sh!t. They use a metal frame made of some chinsy cheap metal, and if you flick the metal, you can hear the driver try to resonate that. Normal drivers typically have a rubber or some type of dampening material that covers the basket or paint that absorbs vibration to prevent artifacts from being reproduced.

Most BBX's are a single vented chamber......and FAR from an ideal enclosure, while also, being plastic, just adds to the disaster equation.

Most of the 3 pieces sound better since each driver is in its own "box" but even that is cheap wood and material.

I say just enjoy it for what it is, unless you plan to re-engineer the box itself.

Chris

Sounding good is a relative term when it comes to boomboxes. In actuality, they all sound pretty crappy compared to today's high end stuff (or low end for that matter). It becomes a question of which box is more listenable then others. I've had 8" boxes that sound better than smaller woofers and vice versa.

I'm with Kittmaster on this, just enjoy them...

i dont know if my sony fh-7 mk2 is in this competition but the APM (accoustic pistonic motion) speakers sound so sweet...there is so much warmth and depth whatever volume you have it.....it is defo one of my better sounding boxes.........again though its a 3 peicer so all speaker enclosed in its own box made of wood........ill agree with alv and kitt....enjoy em for what they are.........our history

i have a panasonic rx 5025 i take to my construction jobs , it always just smashes any modern box i have seen ,such as the bosch work radio,the dewalt work radio even modern cd boxes you name it my rx 5025 just kills them sound wise and its loud/tough /indestructable ,this is just a simple box with 5 1/4 inch speakers .

my little philips d8234 is a real loud beast for the size good bass and only 5in speakers!!1

More detail on the Rising 2020...
It sounds really nice at low volumes, but as soon as it turn it up, it distorts really bad.
I've owned it since new, and this has always been the case. My friend also has one and it can't do loud either.
It's a great looking box, all chrome and bling, but mine could never crank.
Next to the 777 or conion, it loses bad.

Jim

Do You keep the "Loudness" button on all the time?
Do you keep the bass turned all the way to the right?
These could be problems.......

Loudness is on...bass is flat, treble at 3 o'clock...

It sounds great on external speakers tho...

Well, there's your problem.
If your gonna crank it you need to turn off the loudness function.
Loudness is for use when listening at low levels.
At low volumes our ears tend only to pick up the mid range and have a hard time with bass and highs, the loudness function compensates for this by boosting the bass and treble. If you have the loudness on and turn it up it will, without a doubt, distort.

You should turn it off if your gonna crank it. You will be able to listen at way higher levels.
This goes for all audio products with the loudness function.

Try it and tell me it can't hang.

Here's a tip, if you are using the line in like an ipod or mp3 player, set the volume of the ipod/mp3 at 75% volume. Then turn off the loudness adjust the bass to flat or plus a few, crank the treble and let her rip. It should not distort, even close to full volume.

I guess its different on the 931. The loudness button is always on at any level and it cranks.

Hi. I think the loudness button works at LOW VOLUME only and if you turn the volume up the amp goes towards full blast you are not able to hear any loudness effect....

Your're right...the loudness ciruit is a audio boost of both low and high frequencies intended for low volume listening. At higher volumes you would get a overloaded sound...distortion, and it's distortion that blows speakers.

quote:

Originally posted by Master Z:
Well, there's your problem.
If your gonna crank it you need to turn off the loudness function.
Loudness is for use when listening at low levels.

Here's a tip, if you are using the line in like an ipod or mp3 player, set the volume of the ipod/mp3 at 75% volume.

I totally agree on both points! You should notice a differance if you follow these directions!

Right on,guys. The only bbox with good volume and bass and 8" woofers are JVC M90 and CONION 100.Many AIWA with 6" woofers and DSL have much better sound and volume than most 8" woofers bboxes.PERIOD.

quote:

Right on,guys. The only bbox with good volume and bass and 8" woofers are JVC M90 and CONION 100.Many AIWA with 6" woofers and DSL have much better sound and volume than most 8" woofers bboxes.PERIOD.

JVC.

No. I dont think this is the case. I'm gussing it's just user error. If you cant set up the tone controls, then just forget it, its gonna sound like crap.

For reference, this was the first post.

quote:

I found out quite a few 8" speaker bboxes have bad sound and distortion galore.Some smaller ones sound louder and clear.
What do you think?

The only reason the smaller units "sound" louder/clearer is because they cannot reproduce the lower frequency range that the 8" woofers can. Little boxes will not be affected because the bass rolls off. Like it doesnt even see/preceive the low notes.
If you try to set up a bigger box the same with loudness on, and bass crancked up, It will try to reproduce the sound because it can(i.e.Has enough surface area to create the lower frequencies.), but it will distort.
That is why it "seems" like smaller boxes are louder.

There are the rare exeptions, where small boxes will produce bigger sound like the PC-5,55 etc but they use better quality drivers and use Hi Fi like, built enclosures made of MDF. This is like comparing apples to oranges.

You can rag on em' all you want, but I'll defend the 8" boxes. This is a matter of operator error. sorry guys.
Peace,
Paul Z.

quote:

Originally posted by Master Z:
No. I dont think this is the case. I'm gussing it's just user error. If you cant set up the tone controls, then just forget it, its gonna sound like crap.

You can rag on em' all you want, but I'll defend the 8" boxes. This is a matter of operator error. sorry guys.

100%. "Operator error" = you don't know what you're doin' (no disrespect intended).

Boxes with 8's do not suck.
Panasonic - RX-5350
JVC - RC M-90
Conion - C-100
Rising - SRC-2015
Crown - CSC-850
These are only a few Prime Examples.

Frank!!.......Go to see you.....keep in touch.

Chris

between the jvc pc55 and the jvc pc5 which has more bass and hits deeper?

pc5 has more bass.

quote:

Originally posted by transamguy1977:
Boxes with 8's do not suck.
Panasonic - RX-5350
JVC - RC M-90
Conion - C-100
Rising - SRC-2015
Crown - CSC-850
These are only a few Prime Examples.

Other than the jvc-rc550 that has a 10 Ten inch speaker in it ...
What other bbx's have speakers larger than 8 inch's in them ?
there cant be that many or even one ...

It matters how it is built. The Telefunken Studio 1 only has 4.25 inch woofers, but look at how much bass they produce. Can an M90 match it? Doubt it.

The General Sounds with 8-inchers are a huge letdown, because they distort early.

quote:

Originally posted by jvc floyd:
i have a panasonic rx 5025 i take to my construction jobs , it always just smashes any modern box i have seen ,such as the bosch work radio,the dewalt work radio even modern cd boxes you name it my rx 5025 just kills them sound wise and its loud/tough /indestructable ,this is just a simple box with 5 1/4 inch speakers .

I agree about the Pannys, my 5500 is quite a performer for its size, it is smaller than most mid-sizes at only 18.5" long, but it's heavy for its size and the sound is great.

Besides the JVC, there's only one other with 10" woofers - the largest production boombox ever made:

the Elta Master Blaster/Helix Wheely/JC2000/Matsuki/etc.

That's Blasterpunk's box/photo, btw.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MONOLITHIC:
Besides the JVC, there's only one other with 10" woofers - the largest production boombox ever made:
the Elta Master Blaster/Helix Wheely/JC2000/Matsuki/etc.

And from what I have read this is not the best box to get, as this is cheaply made and doesnt sound too good - its only claim to fame is that it's so big - right?

The first, last and only time I've seen one of those in person was back in the late 80's when I was walking past an electronics shop in Center City... I have no idea what they sound like or how well they're built - you'd have to ask Blasterpunk or transamguy1977 about that... Regardless, I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I had the cash!

quote:

Originally posted by transamguy1977:
Boxes with 8's do not suck.
Panasonic - RX-5350
JVC - RC M-90
Conion - C-100
Rising - SRC-2015
Crown - CSC-850
These are only a few Prime Examples.

Are you sure, the crown CSC-850 comes with 8 Inch speakers?
I´ve got an 850 and the speakers seem to be 6,5 inch: same size like M70 speakers and definetly smaller than GF-9000 speakers. The CSC-850 grills are a little bigger than the M70 grills but that cant be 8 inch.

quote:

Originally posted by MONOLITHIC:
The first, last and only time I've seen one of those in person was back in the late 80's when I was walking past an electronics shop in Center City... I have no idea what they sound like or how well they're built - you'd have to ask Blasterpunk or transamguy1977 about that... Regardless, I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I had the cash!

This above is yet another reason why I dont get out much in my empty truck cause it would be full of stuff found or bought by the time I remembered to go home or it get's dark outside...

From my personal comparism, To me I would line them up as from the top best bass 8 inch boombox working my way down. Here it goes:
JVC M-90
Conion C-100
Fisher PH-480 A 3 piece boombox with 8 inch spkrs.
Conion TC-999
Conion Super Jmbo 60
Lasonic 975
Lasonic 931
Rising 2015
Promax J1
Now for the 3 peace boomboxes with smaller speakers:
Rotel
Pioneer CK-5
Pioneer CK-3
G.E.B5
Telefunken 1M
Toshiba WX-1
Sanyo C-9
Yamaha PC-9
JVC PC-5
Universum Santor-1000
Panasonic RX-100
Fisher PH-460
Berecha-1000
This just from my personal comparism and I may have forgotten a boombox or may not have it yet as I'm waiting for a Prosonic 9962, I here it sounds pretty good with good bass for an 8 inch boombox.

quote:

Originally posted by L LOPEZ:
From my personal comparism, To me I would line them up as from the top best bass 8 inch boombox working my way down. Here it goes:
JVC M-90
Conion C-100
Fisher PH-480 A 3 piece boombox with 8 inch spkrs.
Conion TC-999
Conion Super Jmbo 60
Lasonic 975
Lasonic 931
Rising 2015
Promax J1
Now for the 3 peace boomboxes with smaller speakers:
Rotel
Pioneer CK-5
Pioneer CK-3
G.E.B5
Telefunken 1M
Toshiba WX-1
Sanyo C-9
Yamaha PC-9
JVC PC-5
Universum Santor-1000
Panasonic RX-100
Fisher PH-460
Berecha-1000
This just from my personal comparism and I may have forgotten a boombox or may not have it yet as I'm waiting for a Prosonic 9962, I here it sounds pretty good with good bass for an 8 inch boombox.

Oh Boy - another list !!!
JVC M-90
Conion C-100 Needs lower cassette deck belts
Fisher PH-480 A 3 piece boombox with 8 inch spkrs.
Dont have one of these Conion TC-999
Dont have one of these Conion Super Jmbo 60
Dont have one of these Lasonic 975
Lasonic 931
Rising 2015 - - - Is this the same as a 20/20 -got one.
Dont have one of these Promax J1
Now for the 3 piece boombox's with smaller speakers:
Dont have one of these wth Rotel
Dont have one of these Pioneer CK-5
Pioneer CK-3
Dont have one of these, wth is this? G.E.B5
Telefunken 1M need's the cassette play belt
Toshiba WX-1
Dont have one of these Sanyo C-9
Yamaha PC-9
Dont have one of these JVC PC-5
Dont have one of these Universum Santor-1000
Dont have one of these Panasonic RX-100
Fisher PH-460
Dont have one of these Berecha-1000
*also Waiting on a 9962 should be here b4 xmas 09 according to the tracking.

quote:

Are you sure, the crown CSC-850 comes with 8 Inch speakers?
I´ve got an 850 and the speakers seem to be 6,5 inch: same size like M70 speakers and definetly smaller than GF-9000 speakers. The CSC-850 grills are a little bigger than the M70 grills but that cant be 8 inch.

I have an 850 too, and right on the top of the box it says 20cm which is 8 inches, but I agree with you, I think it's false advertising.

L LOPEZ, those Conion C-126's can't possibly have better bass or better sound than my 1st edition TRC-931...

I blew one of those boxes out in a battle back in 1988.

Your right mono the first edition is the bomb, The sound is heavy + the square case is a solid built I don't have that one.

quote:

Originally posted by Reli:

quote:

Are you sure, the crown CSC-850 comes with 8 Inch speakers?
I´ve got an 850 and the speakers seem to be 6,5 inch: same size like M70 speakers and definetly smaller than GF-9000 speakers. The CSC-850 grills are a little bigger than the M70 grills but that cant be 8 inch.

I have an 850 too, and right on the top of the box it says 20cm which is 8 inches, but I agree with you, I think it's false advertising.

Wow, this was bugging me so I had to dive in and find out.

Look at the pictures:



BUT:



They are 8 inch! The CSC-850 seem to be the only boomboxes, where the grills are SMALLER than the actual speaker!

Speaker diameter is 21cm (8inch) but the cutout in the front is only 16,5cm (6,5inch). They look smaller than the speaker on GF-9000 because Sharp uses the chrome surrounding to make them look bigger. The chrome ring on the CSC-850 is covering a part of the woofer.

Interesting....I haven't taken mine apart yet......I still don't think I'd consider that a true 8-incher, because you can see from your picture that the actual "working area" of the speaker cone is only 17cm.

Still an awesome looking box.....I love the "deep dish" look created by the bulging speaker grills.