How to Buy a Boom Box

A boom box is an all-in-one portable stereo system. Boom boxes have a built-in low-power amplifier, AM/FM radio, cassette recorder, CD player and speakers. They run on batteries or electricity and have a carrying handle.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Boom Boxes

Doing Your Homework

1. Determine the size and weight (with and without batteries) you need.
2. Choose between a single CD player and CD changer, and single-cassette and dual-cassette options.
3. Decide if you want a remote control.
4. Determine if you want detachable speakers.
5. Decide which sound-altering features you want, if any: tone controls (including equalizers), bass-boost button or switch, digital signal processing (DSP) modes, surround sound, and so on.
6. Decide which CD programmability and convenience features you want, such as random play mode.
7. Consider digital-tuning and station-preset features if you'll be listening to your boom box's radio.
8. Look for synchronized recording capability from CD to cassette, and cassette to cassette.

Making the Purchase

9. Take a favorite CD with you when shop for a boom box.
10. Listen to the CD and to your favorite radio station on boom boxes at the store.
11. Turn off as many sound-altering features as possible.
12. Compare the sound quality of several boom boxes.
13. Understand that extra hardware and features add to the price.
14. Remember that the least expensive units only have a 90-day limited warranty; other units have one year.

Tips & Warnings

• If you plan on carrying the boom box around a lot, make sure it's small and light enough to do so comfortably.
• CD changers and dual cassette units add convenience and versatility but detract from sound quality and reliability.
• You may find minidisc recorders in new units.
• Detachable speakers allow realistic stereo separation, but usually are included with bigger, heavier units.
• All sound-altering features degrade sound quality.

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