hi guys
having got my m80 sorted off my man lav loo this week,i have been compelled to write a little review on it for you.please note-for pictures,please see lav loo's recent post showing the pics of the m80.thanks.
overview:
large, single piece, single deck boombox dating from 1981/82.
design:
the m80 is an absolute tour de force when it comes to design features.it revolutioised the market with its synthesised digital tuner,twin deck motors with logic controls and metal tape capability.it is from the period when jvc were housing their models in slab sided cabinets,totally enclosing the speakers behind deep grilles, themselves flush with the cabinet front, a la m60,and 656 to name but two.the design of this unit can best be described as love it or hate it, at a time when so many other factories were showing off their woofers behind thin mesh grilles,jvc chose the more conservative look.for me i believe it works well, and the m80 is a very pleasing, well presented machine-my example is no exception,as it is near mint.not neccesarily a style to die for,but definately a must for any jvc collector.
features/function:
as already mentioned the m80 is loaded with features;the synthesized digital tuner that works precisely and through a series of little red led's that light up to show the position.the deck has full logic control, needless to say i cant test this as this example's deck doesnt work.but it must be advanced,with its twin motors and full logic control, is all i can say here.it has seperate bass and treble controls, and independant volume controls for the left and right channels, all operated via slide switches. my only criticism of the sliders is i find they can be slightly jerky, and not always easy to get a precise happy volume medium.but this is nit picking here, because everything works and does work to a good level.
fit and finish:
the m80s cabinet is largely made of plastic, coloured silver-with chrome accents here and there.but it is such high quality that you can almost believe its a metal case-everything made so precisely and with the quality feel you expect from big jvc's.the switchgear feels well made and good looking, and everything is well screwed together to a very high standard.the carrying handle is stong and creak-free,as is the case that is lifted by it.no expense was spared in the construction of this unit, and as such this is evident everywhere.
sound quality:
the m80 is such a machine that relies first on its good looks, before it reels you in to its sound.that said this unit does not have as much bass as my panasonic rx 5600, but by no means can it be described as bass-shy.it has got bass,no doubt, just not as defined as the 5600 for example-where the m80 excells is in the crispness of its treble and mid range-i use the m80 with the bass on full and the treble set at half, and for me this works a treat.i beleve at this level i am hearing the m80's singing voice at its best.so a pleasent sounding machine,not the bassiest but still bassier than most machines ive owned,i.e the sharp gf 525 and the hitachi trk 8290.
satisfaction:
the m80 cant help but make you satisfied of it. its just that good-its a wonderful machine from all angles and i would be proud to shoulder this machine and take it for a walk to the 'hood anytime.
is it a keeper?:
without a doubt, yes.for sure.the only model id ever consider, and i do mean only consider first, to replace it would be an m70-but id have to be really impressed after a thorough inspection and soundcheck first-thats how much i rate the m80.
out of 100 percent, its got to be a 90- %!

hope you enjoyed that as much as im enjoying the m80's company.feel free to comment, perhaps with thoughts on your own m80!
andy

"wow" that is one proper review andy, get yourself down to curry,s or comet and get a job application filled out, like now

thanks mate-hey good idea!well i did used to sell sofas for 9 years!but i just love boxes, and man do i preferr talking about them!and i defy anyone who cant give the m80 a good review!it is vertually faultless.i havent stopped just staring at it since tuesday-and using it of course.....
......"walking down the street to the hardcore beat while my jvc vibrates the concrete....." as i believe it could.
andy

ye words well spoken by LL COOL J i believe.
i agree the m80 is a top notch machine, but like you say, you either love or hate it,s looks.
me i loved it, that,s why i snatched it for £70 i have owned the m70 but mine was a bit battered so i did,nt get full quality out of it i believe.
i have to be honest here im not a big j.v.c. fan, i know they are real quality but in my opinion not the best boxes out there.
give me a pioneer sk909l or a panny 7700 anyday my opinion could change dramatically if im ever lucky enough to lay my hands on an m90 though

lav i wish you luck on your quest.if i find an m90 on the carboot..........youll have to fight me for it......... but i agree with your panny and pioneer choices-nice, top quality all round boxes that just ooze quality.i still dream of owning an m70-like walking into the bike garage where i have my scooter serviced, and spot one playing in the workshop, than having a battle royale with them to try and buy it!but in my dream i get it in the end.......pity it never comes true.
im off to the boots tomorrow, in the hope ill find myself an in the wild boombox-y'know with the weather being so good.
but i dont hold much hope around here. will let you know how i got on, some point monday
andy

it,s the hope that keeps us going andy, good luck 2moz hope you find a gem.
iv,e not been bootin for a while now, it,s hard with 3 kids and when your skint like me at the mo anyway good luck 2moz mate

cheers matey-hope you get chance to do the bootys again soon-take the boys with you-they may enjoy it!

btw lav-did i read in your other post the deck works on play?cos i havent dared try it for fear something would go wrong!

no i think you may have been looking at my sony cfs88 post
the reels on the m80 was spinning on it when i got it and powered it up, but then stopped.
somebody on here may know what this means

aye alright mate.if the motors running then the belts gone.not to worry.not really bothered!
andy

I don't think it's belts buddy, mine works in play mode, slightly slow, attemps to work in FF and REW and then gives up.

I took it apart about two years ago, and from what i remember there was nothing i could do to fix it, if it was just a matter of belts it would have been sorted.

I belive this is the first, or one of the first chip controlled decks, and like everything else from the 80's onwards if an i'c goes duff the only thing you can do is change it, if you know which one it is.

Problem number two is all chips from the 80's are now obsolete.

I just wish we hadn't advanced past the steam age , anything controlled by a silicon chip is a pain in the

Thank's for the review.But does the m80 has any vu's like led or needle or anything else?

quote:

Originally posted by bogdan:
Thank's for the review.But does the m80 has any vu's like led or needle or anything else?

il,e answer this one for you bogdan seem as thow it,s 1 of my ex,s it doesn,t have needles or flashing l.e.d,s, but it does have led lights for tuning, about 15 individual lights each one for each station they hit red when tuned in, very nice neat box, and loud i should,nt remeniss like this it,s not healthy

Thanks lav loo!

yeah thanks lav loo-right hand man.i suppose it is a shame about the deck.but even a top of the line boombox has to break down eventually!