Ok I havn't done a derect comparo of the 2 boxes mentioned for reasons i will state in a minuite...The crown 850 sounds wonderful with rich deep bass..and superb highs...all I can describe the crown as is an m90 but on a smaller  or cut down scale...it sounds SUPERB and has one of the best stereo wide found on any box....

the reason I dont realy want to compare the 880 to the 850 is simple...The 880 has 5 inch speakers..and the crown 8 inch....all I can say is get both boxes...If I realy MUST do a comparo of the 2 please ask and i shall oblige....I think im gunna be using my crown for a few days as it does sound supeb...one thing i don't like about the crown tho is lack of a propper handle...that REALY bugs me...

And the aiwa 880...Well I dont think anybody needs to be told how good these are..only thing negative I would point out about the 880...is the somewhat lack of good stereo seperation but otherwize you can't fault the 880..

Thanks for the comparison RR, I have yet to hear either of these boxes. I won an 880 a few years ago, but it was a scam and wouldn't even power up.  

Damn sorry to read that Retro...the same thing basically happened to me a few yrs ago my friend and it was with an 880...

I have to confess something retro...I won that mint 880 on ebay a few days ago...I was putting my whole months money on it...but the guy hasn't replied to my questions nothing...to me that is pure arogance my friend...the guy is getting what £550 for a boombox...well to be honest mate he can stuff it up his jacseey..as much as I want the 880 he can relist it...£550 is FAR to much to pay for a boombox .. and I have 2 mint 880 anyway

SO you really like the 850 I can see that, i also like it alot man, and hope to get me one some day, by the way love the strap handle on it.

You don't need any more boxes DT lol but yes i do like the 850 but unlike you I would rather have a handle...im not keen on strap boxes...hope all is well man...

Just had a message from the seller regarding the 880...im over the moon about it...i guess the seller has been rather buisy...Touch wood that is 3 MINT 880's for me

The 850 is my best-sounding one-piece.  And I love the strap loops, they make people look twice.

You're a lucky man Reli the 850 represents one of the best among 1 peice...and these don't cost a fortune eather...unlike my newly aquired 880...

RR so you got it? wow wow wow, a shot with the 3 together is a must, dont make us wait tim.

Hugo my friend...I don't have it yet...but as soon as I do there will be some shots lad

Btw I love your enthusiasm DT I can't wait myself but it won't be till next week end at the erliest

sorry tim, yes i am exited, this one is for the books my man,

will be waiting for the update.

Ohh the tension DT....I think your more exited than me...but yup there will be a new thread as soon as she rolls in... I just wish I had a worthy camera like Retro's unlike my mediocre thing...

nah, dont worry tim the last pics look very nice , by the way i just bought a pc5, for ages i wanted one of them lets see how it arrives,  wish me luck.

ill take some pics too.

You will love the pc5 hugo if you need it refoaming give me a shout my friend...but to be honest lad it's easy to do.....congrats man i know you have wanted one for ages...hey you also need to get a jvc pc55..no collection is complete with out one of those...

i know tim, i been waiting for one of those long enough, one just sold for 162 dollars in very nice condition.

That's cheap hugo the deck on those is the only deck I would say is better than the m90.. mind you most of my 55 cost around £35

The Crown 850 typically goes for 100-200 euros.......They could go for more, but honestly it's not one of the best quality boxes.  For its size, it should weigh a bit more than it does.  The tape mechanism is crude, the tuner knob is slow, the reception is not JVC quality.  Some people say they sound great, others weren't impressed.  But the one I have sounds great......Better than any Sharp one-piece I've heard, and better than my Aiwa TPR-950 too.  Great bass.      Of course, I'm sure that boxes like the M90 and the RX-5350 blow it away, but for the money you can't beat it.  Plus it is very easy to take apart. 

 

 honestly it's not one of the best quality boxes.  For its size, it should weigh a bit more than it does.  The tape mechanism is crude, the tuner knob is slow, the reception is not JVC quality.  Some people say they sound great, others weren't impressed.  But the one I have sounds great......Better than any Sharp one-piece I've heard, and better than my Aiwa TPR-950 too.  Great bass.      Of course, I'm sure that boxes like the M90 and the RX-5350 blow it away, but for the money you can't beat it.  Plus it is very easy to take apart. 

thats exactly how i remember the 850, and very boring looking.

Boring looking?  Well maybe from a head-on view.  But from an angle, the deep-dish speakers, chrome trim, and metal knobs look awesome.  Plus you can always polish the metal trim.  The clear-coat they put on top of the metal turns yellow over the years, which is why the 850 often looks dull.  That is why you need to remove the old clear-coat with some metal polishing compound.  OK so you might remove the lettering in the process, but honestly who cares.

Crown were not known for quality in this country...they were and still are the cheap end...IT's a crown but the sound is still good... I would much rather a 970 anyday....