... but that's my opinion

A made a great catch this weekend - I found a GF-777 in great condition and full working order. I was always very interested in, how this box will sound.

But after the first soundcheck I couldn't believe what noice coming up to my ears. Uhhh, this thing is not a very good sounding box. But to complete my collection I thought it was good to have this grale ...

So why are so many people are crazzy for this box? Oldskool69 already told me about a little bit, but I also wanne hear you guys.

I, as a collector of Hifi-boxes, always looking for the best sounding boxes. But this one is like a Porsche (looks) with a VW-Bealte engine in (sound). Next I gonne look for a M90 - just hope this one sounds better!

Best wishes
TOM

GF 777 : this box goes very loud, giant design, very impressive, alltime top of the line Sharp BBX's

Sound is ok, but you can't compare it to a Studio 1 or JVC PC5.

My Universum Supersound 16000 sounds a class better.

I guess, a M90 sounds much better then a GF 777.

Compartively speaking the 777 is a very good sounding box in my opinion. If you take it against many boxes of the early 80's the 777 is up there in terms of functions and sound.

Perhaps yours has an issue ?

Hello

No, the box has no issue. Everything works fine.

Fact is, there are more than just one world between the sound of the 777 and a M1, HP 800, Party Center 2000 and 1000, ..., all the real mashines, the killer of sound.

Shure, it look's good and it can play loud. But the once I've listed can also do that, with a way better sound!

So what is the real reason of the success of the 777?

Best wishes
TOM

if you try upgrading the speakers you will have a powerhouse

the GF777 is one of the better examples of the "put all the speakers in one, big plastic box & hope" variety of b-boxes.
There is a limit to how good the sound can be from this design, so you'll have to compare to other b-boxes of this type to get a fair comparison.

Of course, the hype surrounding "grails" won't help here - it elevates expectations.

Finally, I've heard examples of two of the same, unmodified, fully working b-box where one sounds significanly worse than the other. Probably due to where & how it spent the last 25 years of it's life.

...all IMHO, of course

Any electronics as old as these will have "issues". Corrosion/oxidation in the contacts and aging (drying out) electrolytic capacitors are at the top of the list of things that happen over time to make a box sound worse, but there are many others.

IF you take three of the same model box as each comes off the assembly line at the factory, they will sound pretty much indistinguishable. After thirty years, it would be a very rare coincidence if they did.

If you are playing ANY box that has not been restored, you can't really judge how that model box is supposed to sound by the way your particular example sounds. A general sense of the sound, perhaps, but not a very accurate one.

UNLESS and UNTIL you clean it all up, check the components inside to make sure they are up to spec, and replace any components that have drifted out of spec, you can't know how much age has affected the sound of the box.

That's just the way it is. I've had boxes that sounded awful - faint, weak, scratchy, fading in and out - when I found them, which after a careful going-over sounded GREAT!

Also, if you were playing a cassette, the playback heads might be out of alignment. Fixing the heads will definitely make a huge difference.

Although, overall, I will agree that the sound of the GF-777 isn't hi-fi quality. I wish it had more highs.

Ok Arkay

mybe I should do that. But this box is in great condition, no scratch, no dust, ... it looks like new. This was no box somebody played or was on tour with - never saw a street ... (or a breakdancer). This box where standig in the living-room his hole live ... so maybe here are the chances for a better sound not that good ...

Best wishes
TOM

quote:

Originally posted by Fatdog:
Also, if you were playing a cassette, the playback heads might be out of alignment. Fixing the heads will definitely make a huge difference.

Although, overall, I will agree that the sound of the GF-777 isn't hi-fi quality. I wish it had more highs.

But in the 80's boomboxes surely we should not be expecting hi-hi quality audio? It is a portable stereo afterall, and as isolator says a proper test of it's abilities is to sound it out against other similar units.

For shure the 777 was no cheap box - the 555 when new costs 950,- DM, so the 777 was more expensive.

We don't talk about cheap no-name trash - at this time (and still) that was alot of money! But for the same money you could buy much better sounding units.

So, where is the real reason for the 777 fanclub? It couldn't be the sound ...

Best wishes
TOM

the 777 is great sounding box, depends how you tune it and how you listen to it...

Oh, the 777 is crap but check out those speakers & wooaarrggh, count those knobs.

I didn't think we were supposed to listen to these things.

What an interesting thread!

My GF-777 is mentally loud and has tons, and I mean tons, of bass. I refer to Fatdog, and agree that I too, wish it had more highs. When it's sitting on the floor and I'm looking down on it, the sound just isn't as pleasant as some other boxes I've listed to momentarily in this way. The bass overpowers everything, but do we really need this much booming bass? I personally have the independent volume controls for the superwoofers constantly set at halfway (which is more than enough for me), and I control the bass via the normal bass knob and the loudness switch. Not having the bass all the way up on the independant controls, and adjusting the bass output as described above, the bass can be 'brought down' to a reasonable level. That way, it can still be heard a lot, but it isn't too overpowering. The volume can then be raised more (without bursting your eardrums), thus the highs are clearer. I wish mine had Stereo-wide, because it doesn't sound as full or 'surround-like' as I would prefer it to. But overall, I think it's a very good sounding box, and I can't wait to show it to my mates in Scotland when I go there for a weekend later in the year!

I myself think the Gf-777 has a nice look to it, and the sound is "ok".

-gsbadbmr

If you listen direct in front of the GF 777, it could produce good and hard bass and enougth trebles
Ok. It hasn't deep bass like the Studio 1 and the FM tuner section isn't a highlite.

It's an eye catcher, many people looks to it and asks me abot it. Try it with a Studio 1: it's -sorry- only boring!

I basically have no idea how to compare the sound of a 777 to any other high-end box. (I know that boxes on the floor and up against walls sound bassier than boxes out in the open and at ear level.) But, like Agent says, the 777 has lots of speakers, and it has plenty of knobs. Plus, even I can tell that it sounds better than a Panasonic 5100. Which is good enough for me.

I love my 777. I personally hope to score one of those NIBs Sahrps from Australia - if they turn out to be true. I like the sound a lot, although I wish it had a little more highs, as some people have said. By the way, for more highs - get a Sanyo BigBen or National RX-7000!!

I have first hand knowledge that if you change out the drivers to something newer, you'll get much better results.

That seems extreme, and 'why would one do that'. Well, your first encoutnter is completely correct. If you hold the driver in your hand and give it a "flick", you can actually hear the tinny metal resonate!!

Check with xXMetalMarxXx (I think that is how its spelled). I replaced the tweets and mid driver (not the woofers > but I'd do those too) and the difference was leaps and bounds. The 777 most likely uses the same circa amp chips of other boxes, but jamming four speakers into a non sealed enclosure, with cheap azz drivers.......yup......gonna sound like azz.

You could also add some dampaning material to the case like they have in the floors of cars (you know that thick padding), you can get that at a fabric store like JoAnns or where big fabrics are carried. Seal up the back of the radio and sides with that, and it will improve the low end response......

Good luck.

Chris

this kinda topic always makes me laugh . .

you wont think much of an m-90 either , or most top boxes . .

all depends what you play , and how you like you music and what volume you require . .

aslo like arkay said, deterioarated components etc . . endless list . .

get a hifi , and leave the radios for eye candy

Tom mentioned that I told him little about this unit so I thought I would share with you what I said.

In reference to the GF-777, I told him that it was the essential box to have in the early eighties along with the JVC-M90, Conion C100-F, and so forth. I also noted that what made these units so special was their heritage. The association with Hip-Hop (GF-777/Run-DMC & JVC M90/L.L. Cool J.) made these must haves back then and to an extent now. The truth is that these were very expensive for their time (when new) and everyone could not afford them. Were they great sounding? I was there on the street corners re-enacting "Beat Street", "Wild Style" and what not with my friends and the truth is that the GF-777 was feature packed, loud...and not much else unless you sat it in a corner. Then you could get some bass to resonate. And I agree with others on the highs. I will say that the M90 was the cream of the crop for one piece units.

This is why I am such a fan of the well engineered three+ piece component units. It really became a horsepower and engineering game during this time. I mean look at the Pioneer CK Series, Fisher PH492, Sansui CP-7, JVC PC55, Panasonic RX-C100/300, Technics SA Series, Sony FH Series (Battery Capable), Sanyo C7/C9, Aiwa 3D series, Telefunken Hi-Fi Studios, and so on. I mean goodness gracious the Carryin Compo and El Poco were off the charts. These units and others like them were very, very powerful, well built heavy duty shrunken home units. Look at the JVC PC55. It has to have probably the best cassete deck of any of them. I'm not knocking the 777's or M90's because they are nice for what they are. But as has been noted elsewhere on s2g, for really good hi-fi sound (and I think Tom knows that these aren't supposed to sound like a Bose Acoustimass system) you cannot beat a well engineered and tested purpose built component boom box to pack as much quality stereo punch as possible like the ones I mentioned.

You may now throw your tomatoes.

I've heard this many times before about the 777 but I've never heard one so you've got my interest. Regardless I would still like to get one some day, maybe even one of the new in box ones that are being touted by an Australian member.

Oldskool is correct that the ultimate in sound was really produced by some of the nicer 3 piece units. I'm not collecting old boomers just for the sound so I can be a little forgiving of these old boxes.

I do not really know the differences in sound between the 777 and my 999.

BUT..I can agree to a lot of the written words.
Mine is sounding great..I love it.
Sure it can't compete with a Hifi Studio!!
But man the look is just a killer imho.
And ofcourse somehow it has its own special thumb to it.
I love the way it sounds and im ok with the bass.( in fact mine is pumping some real good bass )

MB you are spot on and you got the point I made. These single piece boxes were not intended to provide the ultimate in audio for their size. If you get one I would bet it's more for the reasons I stated. Remember, even before the three piecers as most know them existed, you had some that appeared as a one piece, and wham, speakers off the bottom (Toshiba). But the packaging was horrible if taken apart. (Remember those Go-Video VCR's that were 3ft wide? That's what it seemed like with the unit for the Toshiba)

Let's remember, if you're like me and want fries with your shake, get that little engineering marvel. If your a super classic kinda guy and can accept some compromise (and let's face it, you do it with any of them regardless) get a one piece unit.

The box is far too overpowered & the cabinet is just not sturdy enough to have that amount of air moving around inside. You know those two knobs above the middle speakers, they're to reduce bass when the whole box starts flapping & vibrating at high volumes.

quote:

Originally posted by agentorange:
You know those two knobs above the middle speakers, they're to reduce bass when the whole box starts flapping & vibrating at high volumes.

Sounds like if you turn up the knobs to high the 777 will fly away.

Thanks to oldskool69

Man, you're the only one who answered my question that way, so I can understand the phastination of this box - thanks for that!

Have you ever heard a Sencor S ??? (I upload a picture) - this is a one piece box with a real great sound! I thought the 777 would sound like this, just better. So I know that it is possible ...



By the way: I got a El Poco (DC 20), but what is a "Carryin Compo"? Or did I get this wrong???


Best wishes
TOM

_________________________

PS: This is YOUR week! Wait and listen ...

quote:

Originally posted by r o y a l ®:
this kinda topic always makes me laugh . .

you wont think much of an m-90 either , or most top boxes . .

all depends what you play , and how you like you music and what volume you require . .

aslo like arkay said, deterioarated components etc . . endless list . .

get a hifi , and leave the radios for eye candy

nuff said

Hello

I test all boxes with the same radio-station(s), to see how different they sound. After 30 years there is no garanty that the tape is still in a good condition ... and when I wanne know it exactly I test it with a CD player ...

Best wishes
TOM

Aiwa Carryin Compo:

I agree. the telefunken is a shelf system, not a boombox. What would you rather walk round outside with. A proper looking boombox (777), or a hi-fi system with a handle.

who's is that carryin' compo?

Have you been watching "last of the summer wine" cris.

The 777z's highs sometimes do not work well becouse the tone button is dirty,try cleaning it with spray and let the sound blow u away

i wouldnt write off the 777 as crap those boxes have plenty of potential new and better speakers bring these bad boys to life in a big way.

Just caught this thread...

I'll admitt, I had mine fully serviced, even though the family member I bought it from here already had it gone through.

I thought something must have been knocked loose during shipping or something.

I mean, I assumed these were up there with the Conion C-100F boxes...

I was shocked that even after a full nut and bolt restoration, and some of that speakerfoam stuff crammed in the back, it still didnt hit like my lowly Lasonic TRC-931!

Oh well... Even so, they are impressive. Can be modified easily with better speakers like a few members here have done.

The reproduction stickers make them that much cooler too in my opinion!

Ive come close to selling mine a few times, and never can go through with it.

Mine is a GF-919 too. The Japanese domestic market version, in case anyone knows of a 'performance' difference between the various models?

it's like looking at someone's baby, and thinking, uhhh, he/she is ugly. But the parent's think it's the most beautiful baby in the world

Hi All,

Just had to add to this. The 777 is a nice sounding radio and a must have for a boombox collector but the conion c100-f blows it away it laughs at it when the volume is on 50. I have had a few 777's in the past and they all pretty much sound the same. Although I never changed the speakers to newer ones. Maybe it would sound better. What speakers should I use?? I would like to try that and see if it really sounds better. Any suggestions on speakers to use?
Thanks