Home Boombox Decades Boombox Specials

King of Boomboxes Contact

King of Boomboxes

​J VC RC-M70 (1980)
Home Boombox Decades Boombox Specials

King of Boomboxes Contact

Don't compare it with other portables, compare it to home stereo systems. JVC's RC-M70

radio/cassette recorder not only goes everywhere, but does everything with a super power
output (7 watts per channel, min. RMS. at 8 ohms from 100Hz to 15kHz) pumped through a

2-way, 4-speakers system (16-cm woofers, 5-cm tweeters). That's enough punch to be the
life of any party - in whatever room or wherever you roam. The RC-M70 is like a home stereo

system that can leave home. It's "portable Hi-Fi". The RC-M70 features metal tape

compatibility, Sen-Alloy head, manual/automatic recording level control, 6-band radio, and
a 16-program Multi Music Scanner for the cassette. Its wow/flutter rating is among the

lowest in a radio/cassette - 0.065%. There's more: separate bass/treble and

recording/sound level controls, speaker balance control, cue/review/pause function and 3-

way power adaptability. Plus, phono-input capability. Just add a turntable and your system
is complete. All these features give you the control over sound that you expect from larger,

more expensive systems. Dimensions: 554x303x151 mm | Weight: 9,0 kg (with batteries).

JVC RC-M90 (1981)

Home Boombox Decades Boombox Specials

King of Boomboxes Contact

​The RC-M90 was the largest boombox from the 1981 JVC line-up. The radio section of this
unit has an 8 Waveband tuner with shortwave split 6 ways for easier, more accurate tuning.

For better FM channel separation, the multiplex circuit uses a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) IC,
easy-to-read 15 cm tuning dial, large high-inertia flywheel with independent drive belt for

smoother tuning, FM Stereo LED, signal strength meter for easier tuning, twin telescopic

antennas and terminals for the connection of an external antenna. The amplifier section
features a BTL (balanced transformerless) power amplification circuit delivering 40 watts

maximum output power (20W + 20W) to a 2-way loudspeaker system. The 2-way 4-speaker

system features two 20cm woofers and two 6.5cm tweeter. New polyurethane laminated

cone paper makes woofer stiffer for in phase vibration and resistant to water splashes. The
amplifier section has independent bass and treble tone controls, loudness switch and

balance control.

​The cassette recorder section is a solenoid operated advanced two-motor full-logic tape
transport system that gives wow and flutter of only 0.05% WRMS. Specially designed heads

make the most of Metal tape with Metaperm record/playback head and 2-gap SA (Sen-Alloy)

erase head. A 3-position tape selector allows optimum bias and eq. for any tape while a 5-

Program Multi Music Scanner lets you skip backwards or forwards so that playback starts
where you want it to. The ALC (Automatic Level Control) automatically sets optimum

recording level while the manual override lets you set recording level manually referring to

right and left meters. (Meters also function as battery checker and tuning meter). The

cassette recorder features both Super ANRS and ANRS (Dolby B compatible) noise
reduction system. There is provision for headphone and microphone on the front panel
Home Boombox Decades Boombox Specials
while on the rear panel there are secondary microphone jacks, line out sockets, selectable

phono/line-in sockets (RIAA equalizer built in so that a turntable can be connected directly)
and external speaker connectors. The optionalContact
King of Boomboxes remote control (R-15E) has a front panel

located connector. This was a very popular boombox that can be found on album covers

such as LL Cool J - Radio (this one has a 1:1 scale image printed on the cover) and The

Beastie Boys - Solid Gold Hits. The JVC boombox range was extensively advertised in print
magazines by the likes of the Harlem Globetrotters or famous sport personalities. A more

recent "digital portable player" is shaped as a miniature replica of the RC-M90. Dimensions:

668x350x177 mm with handle | Weight: 10 kg (without batteries) | Operation: Mains, 10 "D"

batteries, car battery with optional adapter.

KENWOOD DC-20 (1981) "El Poco"

​The DC-20. Genuine hi-fi performance, computerized automatic systems - and the freedom

to take it all with you. The DC-20 may be a portable mini stereo component system, but it

has a heart of pure hi-fi gold. With the Kenwood DC-20, you can actually take your valued hi-
fi sound with you. Install it at the weekend or vacation house, or in the recreation vehicle or

boat, the sound you'll enjoy is genuine hi-fi. You can even strip it down to its cassette-tuner

core for outdoor hi-fi recording or listening through headphones. The Kenwood DC-20 El

Poco consists of the DC-20X cassette-ampli-tuner, DC-20P power amplifier and DC-20S
speaker system. The amplifier section (DC-20P) has a power rating of 20 watts per channel

min. RMS, both channels driven into 8 ohms, 40Hz to 40kHz, with no more than 0.1% total

harmonic distortion. It is a separate component that will be plugged into the wall outlet and
Home Boombox Decades Boombox Specials
it will provide power for the main unit. The tuner section (DC-20X) is a Quartz synthesizer

tuner with Auto and Manual tuning functions. For extra convenience, you can store 10
favorite stations (5 for FM and
King5offor AM broadcasts)
Boomboxes Contactinto the memory bank. The cassette

deck section (DC-20X) is a computer-controlled recorder with electronically controlled DC

motor, Permalic Hi-B Permalloy rec/playback head, Metal tape capability and Dolby noise

reduction. The cassette deck also incorporates a microprocessor and logic control system
for automatic music search system (DPSS). The speaker system (DC-20S) is a two-way high-

quality system with passive radiator. The speaker enclosures are ruggedly constructed for

low resonance and are covered with aluminium sheet with an attractive matte silver finish.

Also, the main cassette-tuner section (DC-20X) has monitor speakers built into the sides of
the unit. A series of accessories made this unit more comfortable to use. There was the fully

closed CC-20T carrying case, the CC-20K semi-enclosing carrying case and the CC-20S

leather carrying case for the cassette-tuner "core" without speakers. There was also the AD-

15 car battery adapter (DC-AC inverter).

​S ANYO MR-X20 (1981)

Home Boombox Decades Boombox Specials

King of Boomboxes Contact

​The SANYO MR-X20 is the Japanese market version of the SANYO M-X960 Big Ben introduced
in 1981. It was one of the first portable units to include a subwoofer (below 300Hz) with

dedicated amplifier. This "Three Dimension Stereo System" features a 10W amplifier for the
20 cm woofer with "Front Load Horn" and 2x5W for the 12cm full range and 5cm tweeters

per channel. There is provision for line in/phono but also line out together with microphone
input and headphone connector. The cassette recorder section can handle Normal,
Chrome and Metal tapes with a frequency response of (30-14000/16000/17000 Hz) and it

features manual recording level settings and needle type VU meters, Dolby noise reduction
and Music Search system. Dimensions: 607x221x367 mm | Weight: 9.9 kg | Operation:
Mains, 15V ext, 10xD cells.

​A very rare version of this model was sold in Germany as ITT RC-8800.

SHARP GF-909/GF-777 (1981)

Home Boombox Decades Boombox Specials

King of Boomboxes Contact

​The GF-909 introduced in 1981 is the Japanese market version of the SHARP GF-777. The
main feature of this boombox is the 6-speaker bi-amplified construction. A dedicated 2x6W

amplifier drives two centrally mounted 16cm Super Woofers with independent level control
while a second 2x6W amplifier drives the two-way speaker system comprising a 16cm bass-

mid and a 5cm tweeter. The cassette recorder section features a two-cassette soft touch
operation mechanism, one for playback and the other with recording capabilities. Both can
handle Normal, Chrome and Metal tapes (30-14.000/17.000/18.000 Hz), the recorder section

has manual recording level control and twin VU meters, music search system and SNRS
(Sharp noise reduction system). Dimensions: 752x166x379 mm | Weight: 12.8kg |

Operation: Mains, 10 batteries.

Technics SA-C07 (1980)

Home Boombox Decades Boombox Specials

King of Boomboxes Contact

​The SA-C07 is one of the most powerful 3-piece boombox from the 80s. Different from all

the rest, the SA-C07 includes a tuner, preamp, power amp and cassette deck in one rugged
chassis. Performance specifications for this FM/AM stereo cassette receiver are excellent.
Yet there are no time-consuming connection procedures to bother with. The SA-C07 is

compact and portable. The large carrying handle makes it easy to move the unit from room
to room, or in and out of your car. Like any true hi-fi system, the SA-C07 can be used with
your choice of speaker system, large or small. For portable use, the optional SB-F07

speakers can be hooked right into the sides of the unit. Of course, the preamp section
includes phono equalizer circuitry so you can connect a turntable and enjoy your favorite

records. Because it's designed to run on AC or DC power, the SA-C07 can be used as a car
stereo, or outdoors (with optional car battery adapter). The tuner section features Quartz
Synthesizer Tuning with 12 stations (6FM/6AM) presettable and a large fluorescent display.

The cassette recorder section features a 2-motor IC logic- controlled deck mechanism with
Metal tape compatibility, LED peak power meter and Dolby noise reduction. The amplifier
section is able to produce plenty of clean power: 30 watts per channel minimum continuous

RMS into 8 ohms, both channels driven, from 20-20,000Hz, with no more than 0.04% THD.
These specifications are quite good for a home amplifier, but truly astonishing for a

portable unit like the SA-C07. To complete this lightweight portable system a pair of SB-F07
speakers are included. Their enclosures are made of tough, durable TNRC (Technics Non-
Resonant Compound), which is very light in weight yet anti-resonant. With these speakers,

matching the size of the main unit, you will have a unique and very compact system capable
of true high-fidelity performance which you can take anywhere. Dimensions: 729*320*211
Home Boombox Decades Boombox Specials
mm | Weight: 15.8kg | Operation: Mains, batteries and 12V car power. The Technics SA-C07

was available in silver and black.

King of Boomboxes Contact

TELEFUNKEN HiFi Studio 1 (1980)

One word: Power. The Telefunken HiFi Studio 1 portable was introduced in 1980 and it
features a 30W/channel amplifier (Sinus DIN 4ohm) driving a set of removable 3-way closed

system loudspeakers. The radio section has FM-Stereo, AM, SW and LW wavebands with a
large illuminated scale and signal meter. The cassette recorder section is using a one motor
mechanism and a 3 position cassette type selector (Normal, FeCr and Chrome for the

Studio 1 model and added Metal tape compatibility on the Studio 1M model) and manual
record level settings with two needle type meters. For recording and playback, the system is
fitted with Telefunken's own noise reduction system, the High-Com for a 74 dB signal-to-

noise ratio. A Dolby compatible circuit makes possible playback of Dolby encoded tapes. It
was available in silver or brown finish. Dimensions: 638x315x167 mm | Weight: 13.8 kg |

Operation: Mains, Car adapter, Rechargeable batterie and 8xD cells. (In Italy it was sold as a
rebadged unit as Imperial Mini Rack 250 HiFi)​
Home Boombox Decades Boombox Specials

King of Boomboxes Contact

RECCOMMENDATION