I've always loved boomboxes, especially when I was a teen. I had a difficult puberty and music has always been (and will be) a haven of calm and enjoyment.

I have already had a few boomboxes, starting with a couple very tatty, reaching an excellent one, passing through several intermediate.

I think I have a good "ear smell": seeing the look of a specific model and its specifications I can quickly have a pretty good idea of its quality. This smell hasn’t failed me, I have hit pretty well most of the times.

The truth is that I almost always have been more interested in Walkmans than in boomboxes, for one simple reason: I care so much about sound quality. In my case, to have a listening room with excellent acoustics, a high-end stereo and total isolation is simply impossible. Instead, enjoy a similar sensation thanks to high-end headphones, it is possible (and I think today I already have a set-up that meets enough my needs in music terms).

It is also true that intimacy and isolation that provides good a Walkman with headphones is something that in my opinion is unbeatable.

For these situations where you just want some background music while doing some daily tasks at home, but not looking for extreme quality, a boombox is perfect. Still, I’d no take any sardine can.

Right now I have no boombox at home. I have my HIFI ONKYO stereo in the living room, and my little Cambridge Soundworks speakers connected to my sound card X-Fi in my PC which both satisfies me needs enough.

But I recently acquired a very special radio cassette: the extraordinary AIWA Strasser SR8, which for me is the best boombox ever made, for many reasons.

The AIWA Strasser CSD-SR8. Photo: Unkown.

I have had a Japanese friend at ’92 which had one of this at his room, and I always was very impressed about it’s quality. I was at the university, living in a student residence, and I could hear and play a bit with almost all student’s boomboxes then, of many of my colleagues (about 100 in total) and, believe me, this SR8 beated them all by a BIG margin, even with bigger boomboxes in size (I remember there were some big Panasonic also).

I would like to explain why do I think that this is the very best boombox ever made, and which are (IMHO) the weaknesses of many other models that are very popular. First of all:  because of it’s high sound quality, closer to a small HIFI than to a boombox.

Definitely, for me the most important characteristic is the sound quality. If I had to put on a scale of 0-10 different sound sources, would underscore the natural sound:

The Chicago symphony orchestra. Photo: unknown

And in the last position, the sardine can:

So, this is how I score their audio quality:

(all models are in approximate scale)

Again: this is my particular view on all these devices. If I'm wrong at some point, I'll be happy to hear comments.

Maybe to talk about the sound quality of a boombox I should start talking about the speakers and the acoustics. One of the main problems is that most models do not have a resonance box, but the speakers share space with all the internal circuitry, which produces poor dynamic range and channel separation is not very good.

We can see here the internals of a boombox, where speakers and electronics share the same space and there’s no acoustic resonance box. Photo: Unknown.

But also, the most serious problem (in my opinion) is the serious lack of bass because they are not amplified in the resonance box, so it escapes naturally by the rear vents. Just bring your ear close to them to check it out.

Backside of the JVC M90. Photo: Ewen.

To compensate, some models have added additional speakers to enhance the bass. One of the clearest examples are many Hitachi models. I had for some years the TRK-3D75E model.

I remember when the center speaker is activated, bass was hugely increased. But I also remember to bring the ear back and notice that even deeper bass escaped backwards. The five-band equalizer helped, though. I even got to connect external speakers for surround. However, the sound quality was just decent, but unbalanced.

The Hitachi 3D75 with optional surround speakers.

By the way, on the sides seems to have two tweeters, but are merely hollow plastic parts, a common practice among many manufacturers and models.

A few years later, one of my sisters bought (on my recommendation) the TRK-3D50E with DES system (Dual Enclosure System), which is supposed to improved acoustics:

The 3D50E, with DES system.

Actually, it sounded more or less the same, or even worse, although the bass seemed somewhat stronger. I remember that the bass seemed a patch, acoustically speaking.

In the history of radio cassette have been many models with creative ideas, all focused on providing quality sound, like alternative designs with angled speakers:

The SANYO BigBen. Courtesy of Retro.

With speakers pointing upwards:

The Panasonic RX-ED77.

With dual speakers:

Panasonic (unknown model). Photo: Unknown

I wonder why the manufacturer would bet dual speakers, instead of putting two-way speakers, which clearly would offer a wider dynamic range. The only thing I can think is that they did it simply to get more volume at the expense of lower bass and treble (in which case, I completely rule it out).

Another strange option has speakers on the sides:

Victor RV-NB50-W, often called ‘Kaboom’.

And I ask myself, what are the side speakers for? I imagine they must be to help spread the sound in all directions, for example in situations where you're in outside trips and want to hear the sound from any position, and not only from the front.

But I really doubt that any of them have a really good sound. If ever I had doubts about how it should be a good sound, has always come to my mind an idea very quickly: just look at Hi-Fi component systems, with good 2 or 3-way speakers:

An old HIFI from AIWA (top model in ’86).

Designs as strange as the above boomboxes are not seen in HIFI, which suggests that they simply do not work as good. Therefore a good boombox should have good acoustically isolated speakers. A good example is in all those portable radios that look like a mini HIFI, like this SANYO, which has a fantastic looking:

The SANYO MCD-850F, a very good-looking boombox with a design closer to a small HIFI.

Although I always preferred a top-level, one-piece designed boombox (a personal taste).

I have seen many "inventions" that claim to offer the same experience that good Hi-Fi boxes, though I imagine the end result was only one wish:

The SANYO MCD-950F, the brand’s top model in 1992. It featured an “bass chamber horn system”.

I heard that model only once in a shop and I remember it was lacking power but the sound quality was not bad at all. However, I find the design excessively ‘organic’ for a music equipment.

Panasonic is a brand that seems to have "hit the mark" with many of its latest boomboxes, as they started from a base design with separate speakers, like the DT75:

The problem is that sometimes they tried strange designs, with  bizarre  speakers like this:

I've never listened how it sounds, but saw no other newer model has them, so I guess they haven’t been “exactly” a remarkable success...

One model that I like so much is the RX-DS30 (probably my favorite from this brand):

I really love it, because it’s compact, simple and elegant design. And it has acoustically isolated resonance speakers. Bravo! The only problem is that it may have not high power (just 11W DIN each channel).

In the other side, the DT680 with its 30W certainly does not have power problems is (I assume refers to DIN Watt):

Panasonic DT680. Photo: mellymelsr from Boomboxery.

Although speakers are independent, I think the side panels being plain have a problem while using plastic as material, because they will be in resonance, which means that the box will not allow to perform their acoustic function perfectly. A simple variation with curved panels are much more rigid, and therefore have better acoustics (I’m supposing that it doesn’t have internal ribs to make them more rigid). Therefore, no good HIFI speakers are manufactured from plastic, but sturdier materials, such as wood.

In terms of power, there are extremely powerful some models, such as the A2:

The Panasonic RX-A2, a huge boombox that probably sounds great.
Courtesy of Retro.

But the portable concept is slightly forgotten here... I would rather say it's a kind of portable discoteque, rather than a boombox.

So... is there no boombox that masterfully combines the best from each technology? I mean: a model that has great power, good speakers and the latest technology?

Well I think so, but only found three models. The first two are the Panasonic RX-DT8 & DT9. Here you can see the last one:

Panasonic RX-DT9. Photo: Unknown.

A small beast with pretty impressive features, that includes 2-way acoustically isolated speakers, full-logic full control, dual autoreverse deck, XBS, remote, Dolby B&C, and even manual rec level!

Panasonic RX-DT9, probably the best boombox made by this brand.
It includes almost every small desirable feature, even from HIFIs.

Although I do not like the design so much as to my taste, the design is a bit boring. It also looks that the plastic material is one of this matte plastic that easily becomes glossy by using it.

And here comes my absolute favorite. With similar features to that DT9, there’s the magnificient AIWA CSD-SR8 Strasser:

A beautiful "beast" fitted with a huge set of advanced features, such as full-logic double deck with rotary head and Dolby B&C, 2-way speaker (with a tweeter), completely automatic computerized cd-to-tape recording … All in a very beautiful and elegant design built with a rugged matte, strong plastic material.

The AIWA Strasser CSD-SR8 represents the pinnacle of the boomboxes, combining a huge number of features, superb acoustic desing, big power and a design that’s closer to a small-factor HIFI than to a boombox.

With DIN 15W per channel and 10.000cc of capacity speakers for an extraordinary resonance, it sounds awesome, really close to a HIFI, but at lower volumes of course. That was the biggest resonance box ever made for a boombox speaker until then (1992). I don’t know if there were later models from other brands with bigger capacities later.

It also features controls for bass and treble (cool!), the serious Super T-Bass system (in my opinion, the best AIWA had, by far), BBE system, bass-reflex ducts, digital tape counters, digital out, line IN, wireless remote, metal tape recording, etc...

And a spectacular design: understated, sophisticated and elegant at the same time, as I have not seen in almost any other boombox. And all made with a high quality plastic material in matte finish. The perfect combination!

Unfortunately, this model was released only in Japan and it’s very hard to find one outside there, but we can always dream…

I'm lucky that I have just got one after hard search. The good is that I made one of my teen's dream, the bad is that it arrived in a damaged box... with some damage in the boombox itself. with some parts broken :-(
But I'm repairing it and it looks that I'll sucess. More photos soon!

Thanks to Retro for his collaboration and thanks to those who uploaded photos and scanned brochures that let me use images in this articles. All credits below each photo.

Enjoy!

PS: I've just sorted the thumbnails so they appear in the same order than in the article.

Congrats, on a great post. I have been after one of those aiwa strasser`s, for ages.

Well. Now I want to buy an AIWA Strasser CSD-SR8.

i must admit great post great read, but i also have to say the black eggs you post up are are far cry in looks from the classic 80's boxes.

they have no appeal to me in the slightest, the aiwa strasser you talk about may sound great as you claim but i'm sure there's boxes from the golden age 81 to 85 that would kill it in sound

you obviously have'nt experienced many of the earlier boxes.

just my 2 pennys worth 

Oh wow, what a well written post. It's stuff like this that turns visitors into members.

Thanks for taking the time out to put together this excellent post Hugo.

@Lit, Nak & retro: Thanks for your compliments. I really aprecciate them.

@Tardpie: So be prepared to search in Japan & China. I have been told that there are now big stores at akhihabara about vintage audio. I dream to travel there someday...

@Lav Loo: Thanks for your comment. Well, visual liking or disliking a matter of taste, of course. I love walkmans from the '80s (specially AIWAs) but I don't feel the same with 80's boomboxes. Regarding the sound, it's a simple question: if the unit to test has resonance box, the sound will be good enough (then the quality depends on the amplifier, the power, the speaker itself, etc...) but if there's no resonance box, hate to say, but won't compare with the other. Have you ever seen a good HIFI speaker without resonance box?

However, It's good to collect them for nostalgic reasons. That's the main reason I collect walkmans, and I'm so happy with it. But I know that many of my walkmans doesn't meet the level of quality of a real HIFI quality level (even taking in mind that I don't collect budget or entry-level walkmans; just high or top-level models, that interest me the most).

I think that our passion for this old devices is like those who collect old cars (yeah, it's a completely different league in terms of money  . They don't want the highest speed, acceleration, technology or many of the advanced specs nowadays cars can have; just the old looks anf feel.

I think it is something like digital vs analog sound.

I personally like analog sound because of its warmness and because i want to hear the scratches of a vinyl and the hiss of the tape no matter how good will be the dolby surround.

Digital sound is a sound without soul so i kind of compare it with with bboxes or walkmans of the 80s because not only you could see how beautiful the machines were but you could hear it as well and looks did matter because the chicks liked some flashy boxes.

Great post !!

I`ve alway`s found, cassette playback, on the eggs, is not as good as the 80`s boxes, but cd playback, is another matter.

Great post.... it's almost tempting me to collect boxes again hehe.....best box out of all those is the jvc kaboom...model dp200 no hollow resonance...(not pictured) and very deep and warm bass for a boombox. most of my boxes are going now but im keeping my kabooms.....anyway what the hell am i on about, one of the best posts of the year thanks for taking the time to put it togeather

You were doing so well RR, till the last word .

i have no spell checker on vista lit so it's back to the usual dislexic spelling haha.....my supercomputer has been retired it uses far to much electric, so im probbly going to sel it lad....been playing the new black ops 2 superb game...plenty violance and guts hehe

You two

A very thoughtful post Hugo.  Be careful though, these guys with their spare rooms full of chromed plastic and 3-segment LED's aren't going to take kindly to your attempts to convince them that the sound quality of the gleaming plastic dinosaurs of the 80's was inferior to that of the landfill eggs of the 90's.  Sadly it does take a Walkman collector to have to highlight this.  Try telling an owner of a Mitsubishi Evo that there are faster cars around.

Some other units I always thought went the extra mile to sound half decent were these...  Due in part to their attempts harness resonance

Panasonic RX-5700

 Sharp QT-83CD

Sony ZS-7

I heard one of these a while back and was convinced there was another larger stereo in the room.  Not just boosted highs and lows but a real punchy warm sound with most frequencies accounted for.

As ever, if you're on a quest for sound quality, classic boomers are not where you should end up. 

Nostalgia is reason for me...  

Don't think so, the posh kid down the hall had one when I was a student

Thanks for the advice, Agent! I'll take good care of my back  

Thanks for the point. I admit I had this also in my target but as it looks so big and heavy I leaved it aside. But you're right, that SONY looks as it sounds really well; probably the best sounding SONY boombox. I got this photo from a japanese site:

Really curious to see how does it sounds...

Thanks isolator42.

You're right: the bass is much less directional; so that looks a good reason to place speakers on the sides. I've heard a kaboom once, many years ago and I remember that it sounds so boomy, but it could be the particular situation; would like to hear them again.

And nostalgia is a good reason, of course. But nostalgia could become very expensive, though! 

Great thoughtful post! Thank you.

Beautiful post Hugo,

almost as good as your photography....

Many thanks. Sad that I cannot have a few more interesting BBX at home because of lack of space :-(

(luckily, walkmans are very small :-D)

I agree. taste differs i guess. I cannot see myself spending money on the black eggs..

http://nationalmaclord.web.fc2.com/csd-sr8.html

some additional info about sr8 

and few more interesting reviews...

http://nationalmaclord.web.fc2.com/radiocassette.html

 spot on.

great post... thank you hugo

"But also, the most serious problem (in my opinion) is the serious lack of bass because they are not amplified in the resonance box, so it escapes naturally by the rear vents."

I agree Hugo this is total waste of sound. Many boxes suffer this issue though..but the PC-55/ 550 has WOOD speakers that vent in the front, thus no loss of passive sound is lost at the rear. Similar to home HIFI speakers.

One of the advantages 3 peicers have over 1 piecers..speakers are seperated from the power supply and amp, and don't need to share the heat disapating vents.

Although bass shy, the resonance from the wood cabinet is beautiful...something plastic just cannot replicate

climbs off soapbox...

Hugo this is one of your Best ever topics and I know much time went into your honest thoughts and recommendations.   Brutus is right there are some BBX's that got it right even in early 80's such as the JVC-PC55 or my JVC DC7 from 1982 with Linear Tracking tonearm/turntable and 10 watts/channel at 6 ohm respectable.  Wont blast crazy loud but the quality of the sound is truly stunning with REAL BASS you feel and full freq. range.  This box weighs in at over 40 pounds so portable maybe if your a body builder.  Have it now as main stereo on bookshelf in extra bedroom with Sony D-50 ( era correct ) for CD going in AUX.   This unit has REAL WOOD and I mean heavy well built even with extra wood bracing interiors.   Orig. it was ported but like Walkman to keep price low the headphones usually were garbage the orig. speakers in this JVC are shameful for the equipment behind them and true wood ported speakers.   Thus I did a speaker replacement first tried just hooking up a pair of KLIPSCH KG 1.5 bookshelf speakers ( awesome from early 90's and can pick up cheaply I paid $50 USD) and wired them up to JVC to Klipsch boxes WOW the bass is staggering.. shows the equipment in some boomboxes is hardly poor quality.  Sadly the orig. JVC boxes were about 50% interior vol. compared to Klipsch so I would have lost a lot of bass probably to transfer into smaller JVC boxes.   I had for years been using a pair of Mirage ( Canadian) bookshelf speakers for Rear channels of my home surround sound system..  Upon checking the two way WITH excellent crossover with Port to rear the speakers could be installed into the JVC cabinents without much modifications.  To boost the highs I added a quality large Piezo tweeter where old orig. tweeter was (enlarged hole in box but not grill which is all orig.) and put Mirage tweeter in Port hole.   Results are still excellent but I found that as it is now a sealed speaker system the bass suffers so soon I will add the 3 in. long tube ports and drill hole in front of JVC speaker box for this.  I know piezo's tend to add a too sizziling high end that after a while listening can cause ear fatigue so i wired in quality switches mounted on rear( well ok my son did all the wiring incl. Piezo into High freq. side of crossover/install ) to cut out the  Piezo's easily.   

   The Mirage speakers internal volume was only about 15% greater than the JVC so the loss of bass response matched to correct internal space was not to critical.  Over all am VERY VERY happy with the transformation.  And the Linear straight line tracking tonearm with automated opening/moving outward turntable a great WOW factor when showing off.  Here are some photos of Original JVC speaker then internal of box, back of Mirage speaker, switch and final upgrade to 3 way speaker system.

JVC DC7

HERE ARE 3 Videos showing original JVC speakers ( using the D-50 Discman) then same music using KLIPSCH KG 1.5 speakers then last video the Mirage speakers installed w Piezo tweeters added into orig. JVC wood speakers.   Even with poor quality mic on my camera making video you can tell the immense increase in freq. response and especially REAL Bass you FEEL and Hear.

NOTE : Bass is lacking due to sealed box design I did currently when orig. Mirage and Jvc speaker boxes were PORTED.  Will be adding front port with orig. Mirage 3  inch tube glued to back of port going into orig. JVC box interior.  Tested by removing Piezo and bass response is much better leaving hole for Piezo speaker open acting like tuned port.

HERE IS VIDEO SHOWING A RARE SIGHT INDEED .... a WORKING BOOMBOX TURNTABLE.  GLORIOUS DAYS OF OLDE !!! 

Thanks John for your cooments!

I'm impressed about your mods in that JVC. Great job. Your work and passion is always excellent and inspiring to all of us.

Keep it up!

Best regards,

Too bad the Kaboom has dick for treble, and is therefore blown away by a good Sony FH.

Can someone explain what sound quality is? My Panasonic DT sounds pathetic compared to the M90 when I'm using them outside. I can't see the other black eggs perform any better. If this thread is about bedroom boxes than it's okay I guess.

Depends what the objective is.  If your objective is to blast outdoors at a basketball court, then yes an M90 or even an M70 will "sound" better than any egg, because their speakers have stiffer surrounds and therefore do a better job projecting mid-range frequencies (guitar, vocals) at high volume across long distances.  Plus, their "projection field" is wider, due to the larger woofers and vented back.  Walk behind an egg or 3-piece, and it will sound muffled, because nearly all the sound is being projected forwards, and in a narrow projection cone due to the small diameter of the speakers.  So it sucks outdoors. 

But bring it indoors, where being multi-directional is not as important, and several of those eggs and 3-pieces will kill an M90, because they produce deeper bass, and sometimes more accurate treble too (like the Telefunken).

A lot to read, great post thanks for taking the time. 

I see the point in regards to other units being of better sound quality 

I have been buying and listening to systems for some time now and have change my views along the way 

So who knows  what I will think is worth collectingin the future... 

5 yrs ago if you told me portable systems are better than home stereo I would have had to disagree 

Thanks

agree the dt 680 sounds better than the m90 but it lacks the power for outside use

Let's not confuse opinion with fact