On a lark, I just purchased a Sony CF-580 since my dad had one in the mid 1970's when Boombox's were few & far between.

I usually just buy tube audio from the 1950s -60s, but nastagia got the best of me.

Looking for some opinions on this Sony, it seems to be the Grandfather of BBX's and quality looks very good.

The 580 is one of the earlier boomboxes, it may not be big but it's cool. They are very well constructed, feel like they are loaded with lead. A unique box as well with the side firing speakers and sounds good but not great, I think you'll be pleased with it.

as always with MB -

this is my most
"they dont make em like that anymore "
box

Exactly Ira, it's real classic.
Pics say it best. So photogenic with all that CHROME!



And, with the side speakers, it's surprisingly full sound from what seems like a larger box when you hear it.

From my research, there must have been very little competition to these in 1976. The smaller CF-550A predates the 580 by about four years (1972) and it must have been one of the earliest boombox's available. Sony had some serious quality going in the 1970's....the CF-580 is amazingly solid with really nice materials in it's construction. At 18 Lbs.w/bat, if you dropped it on your foot, the Sony wouldn't break, but your foot would !

yup dave --that exact set of pictures you posted about a year ago --inspired me to win the next 580 that came up on ebay --
nice box ,
and very cool pictures

The silver side panel is missing.

Richaaaaard, why are you pissing on about the side panel mate?

Ha ha. Sorry ed. Did you ever get the "waltham" cd? here`s my 580.

Lit, YES...and even played it at the Boombox Meet in a few of my radios.

Great recommendation by the way.

Nice one, my friend. I had to spread the word.

I just noticed a detail change on these. Early versions say "4 Speaker Matrix Stereo System" below the cassette door, and later models say "4 Speaker Super Wide Sound".

The highest serial number I've seen on the CF-580 is 20,887. I'm looking for any higher number then this to get an approximate total of how many were poduced. Anyone have a higher serial number ?

The 580 I sold a few months ago was #21275.