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View Full Version : Recommendations for a Portable Media Player/Boombox?



DemonDragonJ
01-23-2012, 12:42 AM
I am seeking to purchase a device that can produce high-quality music but is also portable, as my computer produces excellent sound, but it is not portable, and my .mp3 player is portable, but does not produce the best-quality sound.

These (http://www.tdkperformance.com/en-eu/Home-Audio/Boomboxes/Sound-Cube-Audio-System/) three (http://www.tdkperformance.com/en-eu/Home-Audio/Boomboxes/2-Speaker-Boombox-Audio-System/) devices (http://www.tdkperformance.com/en-eu/Home-Audio/Boomboxes/3-Speaker-Boombox-Audio-System/) have caught my attention, as they are visually-impressive, have received largely positive reviews, and seem to have many features, including inputs for modern devices, but I do not wish to limit myself to one brand, and also wish to receive feedback and advice from the other users of this forum before making a purchase.

I am seeking a device for the purposes of both providing background music for when I am relaxing, reading, or engaging in general conversation, and for providing music for parties and gatherings, that can also be easily transported when doing so is necessary, that produces high-quality sound, and can receive input from FM radio and any audio device that uses a 3.5 mm connector. Since I shall not be even considering a purchase until I can afford to do so, price is irrelevant to me. Does anyone here have an recommendations? I await your responses.

Also, why is it that many music-playing devices have interfaces that are specifically designed for IPods and IPads? I know that they are arguably the most popular music-playing devices in existence currently, but they are not the only such devices in existence, so I would like to see greater support for non-Apple music-playing devices. What does everyone else here say about that?

TLHarrell
01-23-2012, 10:27 PM
My recommendation: Build your own. Could start with a nice set of Logitech 5.1 speakers with subwoofer. Build a custom case to carry them in, and include a means of powering it if you want to take it to the park or something.

d_stilgar
01-24-2012, 01:04 AM
The TDK stuff looks awesome, but I've heard it in person and it lacks any presence. The sound is just empty and dead. They look great though.

I would go with TLHarrell and say the best bet really is to build your own or find an old boombox from the 80s or 90s and retrofit it to take a 3.5mm input.

There's a pretty decent guide (http://metku.net/index.html?path=mods/ghettoblaster/index_eng) at metkumods. There's lots of other pretty fun stuff there too. I would check that out before deciding.

And I would also check some pawn shops for old boom boxes. Sadly, there's actually a pretty big collector market for them, but they just have that look, you know?

DemonDragonJ
01-26-2012, 01:42 AM
I shall admit that I had not considered building my own media player, but I do appreciate the suggestion; D_Stilgar, that example that you provided was very awesome. I would definitely like to engage in such a project as that at some time in the future, although I am certain that I shall need to conduct some research, to better understand what components to use and how to assemble them, before I pursue such an undertaking.

DemonDragonJ
02-07-2012, 06:21 PM
After much thought and deliberation, I have decided to make my own stereo/boombox using aluminum plate with diamond pattern as the material for the case of the devices and the components of a car stereo system for the internal devices (i.e., a receiver with digital console and stereo speakers). This project shall likely be expensive, so I shall not pursue until I can afford to do so, but when I do, I shall likely post it here, to allow everyone else to share in my experience.