What's wrong with the GPO Brooklyn Boombox?

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ธ.ค. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 2.5K

  • @rangerkasdorf4476
    @rangerkasdorf4476 3 ปีที่แล้ว +633

    Gotta love that “counter”. It’s like the people who designed this didn’t know why one would want a counter on a tapedeck and just thought people liked watching a number go up while listening to music.

    • @HebaruSan
      @HebaruSan 3 ปีที่แล้ว +56

      Or while the music is paused, or rewinding ...

    • @roberte2945
      @roberte2945 3 ปีที่แล้ว +120

      It's like aliens designed this thing. It has all the features you'd expect but they're just _off_ somehow.

    • @80s_Boombox_Collector
      @80s_Boombox_Collector 3 ปีที่แล้ว +46

      What do you expect from China. They think their customers are idiots, so they spec products to those expectations unless you demand otherwise.

    • @MrTaxiRob
      @MrTaxiRob 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@80s_Boombox_Collector well, SOMEONE is buying them, not sure who or why. Do you have any idea where they all end up?

    • @80s_Boombox_Collector
      @80s_Boombox_Collector 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      @@MrTaxiRob If I had to guess, I'd say probably 50% Americans, 40% Brits, 10% EU

  • @adriansdigitalbasement
    @adriansdigitalbasement 3 ปีที่แล้ว +805

    Awesome thorough review. I'm shocked they wanted £250 for that thing! Even at £100, that feels like too much. I really felt like you were more positive about the GPO Brooklyn than it actually deserved! I would have been much more harsh :-)

    • @Agri458
      @Agri458 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      How is yours from 4 days ago? And if it is patron please tell me what it is.

    • @6581punk
      @6581punk 3 ปีที่แล้ว +25

      @@Agri458 Patreon. Go to the site and search for Techmoan. Then you can sign up to support his channel with a monthly fee, you then get early access to videos etc.

    • @matejmatej3554
      @matejmatej3554 3 ปีที่แล้ว +25

      50€ maximum not a cent more

    • @vooveks
      @vooveks 3 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      You can buy some of the best Bluetooth speakers available for that price. What a joke.

    • @Agri458
      @Agri458 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@6581punk oh ok thanks that helped! Might go sign up now!

  • @captainsergeant
    @captainsergeant 3 ปีที่แล้ว +253

    "Who wants to play cassette tapes anymore?" I recently came across several tapes that were stashed away in my deceased father's possessions. Many of them contained the Christmas music I heard around the house as child, and it was great to hear those tapes again.

    • @JC20XX
      @JC20XX 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Digitize those when you have a chance

    • @whatwedointheshadows3349
      @whatwedointheshadows3349 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I listen to tapes all the time.

    • @juicyfruit6311
      @juicyfruit6311 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      We found some old tapes that had recordings of my grandfather interacting with us back in the 1980s. We converted the tapes to digital to preserve them. But, we sometimes play the tapes as we feel closer to him because we were listening to HIS tapes.

    • @siliconinsect
      @siliconinsect 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Still use them daily in my 1995 Camry

    • @jimmartin7881
      @jimmartin7881 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      I've got thousands of cassettes, almost as many as I have records. I know I have a problem but I don't care, lol.

  • @StormcloudLive
    @StormcloudLive 3 ปีที่แล้ว +116

    13:28 you know it's been 1,166,832,000 seconds in my life and I finally find a CD player that tracks time like I do, just had to wait 808 seconds into this 2,039 second long youtube video,.

    • @moonshiner2977
      @moonshiner2977 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      lol, yes, even the domestic reel to reel tape recorders counter often only related to the amount of times the take up reel turned and not actual time. Very accurate counters are only really needed for editing or for professional use. But my oh my if you try to sell a recorder with a dodgy belt expect all hell to be let loose :)

  • @Epinardscaramel
    @Epinardscaramel 3 ปีที่แล้ว +186

    They got their quote for next box:
    “It’s not quality, but at least it’s stereo” -Techmoan

    • @almighty1984
      @almighty1984 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Lmao

    • @puckcat22679
      @puckcat22679 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Oh, they'll do what every other shameless company does: "... quality... it's stereo" --Techmoan

    • @amnril
      @amnril 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@puckcat22679 or shorten it more to ‘Quality Stereo’

    • @micheal65536
      @micheal65536 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      "The tweeters are real and they are connected."

  • @FerHivore
    @FerHivore 3 ปีที่แล้ว +259

    Been looking for a premium stopwatch. Might give this a go.

    • @NicodemusT
      @NicodemusT 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Only premium stop watches work.

    • @tjw9128
      @tjw9128 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      lol thats funny

    • @mhoppy6639
      @mhoppy6639 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      😂 you’re right there. I do love a premium stopwatch or a premium bum box^ as a previous video indicates.
      ^see Philips boom box review also by Mat.

    • @getoffamylan6844
      @getoffamylan6844 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Unlike most other so-called "premium" stopwatches, you can read this one from across the room.

  • @CandyAppleBlue
    @CandyAppleBlue 3 ปีที่แล้ว +44

    One million subscribers can't be wrong. You, Techmoan, are the TH-cam king of technology! We are so grateful for your kindness in choosing our new album, Second Sight, to demonstrate the compact disc and cassette recording features of the GPO Brooklyn Boombox. Although this device misses the mark in build quality, it does seem to hit the bullseye for being a cool-looking new retro portable paperweight. Thank you, Mat, for another informative and thorough product review video. Signing off with massive love, respect, and appreciation. Sincerely, Candy Apple Blue

    • @Cre80s
      @Cre80s 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Your jams on the best tech reviewer and the worst boombox at the same time! 😂🤘💙

    • @CandyAppleBlue
      @CandyAppleBlue 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@Cre80s oh, yeah, the Brooklyn Boombox is a portable paperweight. Who knew? Goes to show that beauty is only skip deep. It does look nice. 🙃

  • @freesaxon6835
    @freesaxon6835 3 ปีที่แล้ว +128

    Let's face it Matt you were so diplomatic reviewing this you should work for the U.N. So I will say it for you " this is a pile of plasticly crappy overpriced trash"

    • @mervynstent1578
      @mervynstent1578 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Made out of coal to add more landfill for the environment

    • @old_liquid
      @old_liquid 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      He makes content out of this trash

  • @wal
    @wal 3 ปีที่แล้ว +284

    So many of these Alibaba, generic Chinese audio devices out there. Too bad quality is a thing of the past for these devices. The retro styling is interesting and the included speakers are almost impressive (big magnets). As usual, very thorough review...great job!

    • @KarldorisLambley
      @KarldorisLambley 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@WesTheHunter that's a bit harsh. Shit piece of audio kit is shit, i think you may be overly sensitive to go from that to 'that's why I hate life', unless of course Life is the name of a product that represents all you loathe about shit audio stuff. Perhaps Life have a reputation for making things which have hardly at all useful features that ostensibly appear like a different probably more useful thing. Like cars that appear to offer a handy display which tells the user how much fuel they have remaining, yet the display is actually a pollen count meter.

    • @MetalTrabant
      @MetalTrabant 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      We need Japan and Korea to start assemble stuff again, not just design them. They've made the quality things back in the past with rigorous quality control.

    • @rickoshay8317
      @rickoshay8317 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @williston audio labs Big D Wiz in the house!!

    • @MrPaukann
      @MrPaukann 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@MetalTrabant, Chinese can make quality stuff too, it just won't cost 100 dollars.

    • @Three_Random_Words
      @Three_Random_Words 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Love to hate China. So many issues to pick from.

  • @adamgh0
    @adamgh0 3 ปีที่แล้ว +73

    3:12 I love the "add to trolley" instead of "add to cart." It makes me feel like my order comes with hot buttered toast with Marmite.

    • @brianhebert6152
      @brianhebert6152 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      And then a butler comes in to inform you you're wanted on the telephone because a talking steam locomotive you own got into an argument with a bobby over not having a cowcatcher.

  • @Spaniard47
    @Spaniard47 3 ปีที่แล้ว +180

    I love how serious and thorough of a review this is for an item we all knew was utter trash just from looking at the thumbnail. Love this channel lmao

    • @alexyo3927
      @alexyo3927 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Just burn your money

  • @scofab
    @scofab 3 ปีที่แล้ว +86

    The 80's boy in me is sad... in those days we really worked and saved for our JVC/Victor/AIWA whatever, adjusted for today's dollars they were really quite expensive.
    A sad shadow of what we had... or still have. My RC-M70 and -60 are still near-mint and fully serviced and functional, and still worth every penny I've put into 'em.
    Thanks again as always.

    • @andreasklindt7144
      @andreasklindt7144 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @SteelRodent Yes, my Panasonic RX-FS430, which was a lower quality beginners boombox with only a radio and one non-dolby cassette deck, still works great (after maintenance). The sound quality of the speakers and the mechanism was ok'ish back in the day and still outperforms all the boomboxes of today in terms of sound quality I think. With a bluetooth cassette adapter I can connect it to my phone and get some nice retro "bluetooth speakers". The FS430 definitly was on the low end of Panasonic's catalog at around 1990-1992, but that makes it to me even stranger that today's machines sound so bad...

    • @robc4191
      @robc4191 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @SteelRodent nah, there was low end stuff back then. Brands like Yorx and Sharp and such sold low cost, fairly trashy copies of whatever Sony and Technics were making.
      As much as we may choose not to remember it, there is always a sub-market for lowvend crap.

    • @vooveks
      @vooveks 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @SteelRodent Oh, I don’t know. We had Amstrad, Saisho etc, available in your local Dixons (which I actually did my work experience in, in the late 80s). That was bad gear. My brother was a hi-fi nut, so even then I knew it was crap and actually advised a few customers not to buy it. Needless to say, I didn’t get a ‘salesman of the month” award. 😀

    • @vooveks
      @vooveks 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@andreasklindt7144 Some of those RX Panasonic’s were good. I had an RXC41-L and loved it. You can pick a tidy one of those up for about 70 quid now, probably only needing a bit of ‘Techmoan style’ maintenance. No CD player, but had an AUX in for an external one. Either way, it would beat this pile of nonsense hands down.

    • @stephenholland5930
      @stephenholland5930 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@vooveks Yes. Bought an RX-F4L about 40 years ago for around £100 and has been used daily since then. Great quality bit of kit.

  • @startedtech
    @startedtech 3 ปีที่แล้ว +407

    8:40 "Why do the Belgians have a greater love of mussels than the British"
    Absolutely riveting.

    • @benholroyd5221
      @benholroyd5221 3 ปีที่แล้ว +58

      There's one job I worked, where R4 was the default. It is simultaneously extremely relaxing and the world's longest running troll.

    • @matsamuel5655
      @matsamuel5655 3 ปีที่แล้ว +32

      Jean Claude Van Damme : The Mussels From Brussels

    • @vooveks
      @vooveks 3 ปีที่แล้ว +39

      @@benholroyd5221 You should be grateful, though. The places I’ve worked it’s usually Capital or Kiss FM. You’d be begging for the sweet relief of boring Radio 4 after a few minutes of that, let alone all day, I can assure you.

    • @WorldCupWillie
      @WorldCupWillie 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      @@vooveks especially as they rotate the same 5 or 6 songs all day.

    • @hoilst265
      @hoilst265 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      ​@@matsamuel5655 Is he 6'4"?

  • @brpadington
    @brpadington 3 ปีที่แล้ว +39

    This is why thrift stores are better for tape decks. I found an old Technics tape deck that had never been used. The tape counter actually works too.

  • @SFSVHS
    @SFSVHS 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Normally I hate ads with a passion, but I’ll watch them and click the advertiser for you. I feel you are one of the few channels who deserves it - keep up the great work. Your videos comfort me!

  • @insanebase8883
    @insanebase8883 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1531

    Oh, you didn't even buy the 1000 Dollar Yves Saint Laurent special edition. (I am not kidding, there is a mega expensive YSL version of this.)

    • @Techmoan
      @Techmoan  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1101

      Flippin eck.

    • @Damien_N
      @Damien_N 3 ปีที่แล้ว +266

      Good grief I thought you were joking. The only apparent difference is the colour of plastic used. What a horrendous money spinner

    • @DavidDatura
      @DavidDatura 3 ปีที่แล้ว +48

      WTF! 🤯

    • @gummboote
      @gummboote 3 ปีที่แล้ว +82

      Made of 90% stainless steel and 10% calfskin leather, apparently.

    • @WELLINGTON20
      @WELLINGTON20 3 ปีที่แล้ว +29

      We actually think they only specialise in making junk, We’re very mistaken

  • @the_failed_states
    @the_failed_states 3 ปีที่แล้ว +133

    Container loads of this sort of crap is shipped around the world. It lasts a couple of years - if that, then ends up on landfill.

    • @noccy80
      @noccy80 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      At least the battery is user replaceable, so slightly less "landfill attraction" than most modern smartphones :)

    • @SlocketSeven
      @SlocketSeven 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      If a Chinese product lasts a couple years it was over engineered.
      It should last only long enough to make it out of the packaging before being thrown in the trash.
      What do you know. Communism produces trash.

    • @detrage5483
      @detrage5483 3 ปีที่แล้ว +36

      What do you know. Capitalism buys trash.

    • @the_failed_states
      @the_failed_states 3 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      @@SlocketSeven I doubt the system of Government in PRC is in any way communism - private enterprise seems pretty rampant. If there wasn't a market for crap like this, then it wouldn't be produced - I don't in any way blame the manufacturer, it's been made to spec, with the cheapest components to maximise profit - that's pure undiluted Capitalism. Also, lots of really good quality stuff is made in China, like your iPhone for example.

    • @SkigBiggler
      @SkigBiggler 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@the_failed_states in China the government still effectively owns and controls all the companies, but they are quite light handed when it comes to interfering, but companies in China are expected to share any product designs they create, which is why you see so many slightly different clones of the same product. Individuals can run companies and reap the rewards, but the government has the final say and total access to anything that happens. Not capitalist, but definitely not communist either.

  • @dcflake5645
    @dcflake5645 3 ปีที่แล้ว +366

    Techmoan going into the history of the general post office is the most british thing I'll experience today.

    • @Blitterbug
      @Blitterbug 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      You mean English! I'm not sure our other regions would feel it's particularly Welsh, Irish or Scottish - but perhaps I'm wrong...

    • @Casey-Jones
      @Casey-Jones 3 ปีที่แล้ว +35

      @@Blitterbug The GPO served all of Britain - you're 100% wrong

    • @gwishart
      @gwishart 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      I was quite disappointed that "GPO Brooklyn" wasn't a Massachusetts based spin off the General Post Office.

    • @bjwoodruff
      @bjwoodruff 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      lol It is but I think Techmoan is Welsh so i would be careful ;-)

    • @Blitterbug
      @Blitterbug 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@Casey-Jones Haha! You spotted my anglo-centric bias, but missed the slight sarcasm. N'mind...

  • @rubberonasphalt
    @rubberonasphalt 3 ปีที่แล้ว +47

    I think a boombox that actually does what this one says it does would sell quite well. I'm getting nostalgic for original 80's/90's electronics, but it's hard to find one in good condition

  • @Steve-GM0HUU
    @Steve-GM0HUU 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    The best thing about the GPO Brooklyn Boombox is Techmoan's video 😄.

  • @dralenvan
    @dralenvan 3 ปีที่แล้ว +65

    Nothing better to soothe a Saturday hangover than watching 30+ minutes of Techmoan.

  • @naota3k
    @naota3k 3 ปีที่แล้ว +150

    That "tape counter" is hilarious. It's like the designer had seen something incrementing numbers on an old deck at his gran's house, so decided to implement it without understanding what it was/how it works.

    • @marcusdamberger
      @marcusdamberger 3 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      The other problem for the 'designer' is that there is no existing tape deck mechanism on the market with a tape counter option built in. It seems all the Tanashin tape transport mechanisms are the same, and none have a counter. Its too bad all the tooling for any decent kind of tape transport is probably long gone, thrown in the dumpster along with any designs and drawings locked up in some vault as intellectual property with a price tag too high for anyone to consider. I wonder if Nakamichi still owns and has any of it's designs or if they were bought off and are now locked up somewhere with some random company that specializes in intellectual property.

    • @Astralify
      @Astralify 3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      @@marcusdamberger There are several different mechanisms actually. In fact, there is a solenoid driven logic controlled version of this particular mechanism that TEAC/TASCAM currently uses in their TEAC W-1200 and TASCAM 202mkVII respectively, with a proper tape counter. Yeah, it's not a proper mid/high end mech, but it's not the trash tanashin (or more often clones of it) that we all know. And, since we have the Philips patent with the specifications for the compact cassette, there is no problem designing a proper high end mechanism these days, in fact, I am working on designing one. Probably it's not going anywhere, it's just a hobby project, but still. With today's 3D printing tech, we can build some good mechanisms if we want.

    • @charlieangkor8649
      @charlieangkor8649 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      It looks like the whole boombox was done by someone who doesn't understand what boomboxes do... Like the distorting sound input. The designed didn't understand that the output is supposed to play the same music that goes into it, not some kind of distorted copy.

    • @iscander_s
      @iscander_s 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @@truesoundchris Making an analog counter would be more difficult nowadays, but it wouldn't be THAT difficult to add a piece of foil on take up wheel and a simple light sensor.

    • @derekmillar318
      @derekmillar318 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Ying tong crap!

  • @tali3san337
    @tali3san337 3 ปีที่แล้ว +73

    lol, the audio quality difference between the Sony radio and the "Boombox" even via a mic is astounding. Muffled and wooly indeed!

  • @enricosanchez894
    @enricosanchez894 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    7:54 "The Bee Gees and Massachussetts". If this radio can tune into the late 1960s, I'll buy one, regardless of whether it has maximum balance or not.

  • @nicoledalton5809
    @nicoledalton5809 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Love watching your videos, they're absolutely brilliant. Can't wait for your next upload. Keep up all the great content, all the best from Vancouver Canada 🇨🇦

  • @hunterericson6782
    @hunterericson6782 3 ปีที่แล้ว +90

    “Sounded muffled and wooly” ... proper description

    • @TheKingOfBeans
      @TheKingOfBeans 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      👌

    • @rolfs2165
      @rolfs2165 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Like screaming into a sheep.

    • @franzpattison
      @franzpattison 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@rolfs2165 😂😂😂 the last time I did that I thought "this sounds just like a cheap cassette player" 🐏🐏🐏

    • @cjmarsh504
      @cjmarsh504 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      It sounds like a fisher-price tape player.

  • @YaBoiThomas
    @YaBoiThomas 3 ปีที่แล้ว +115

    This is like someone described a boom box to someone who's never seen or used one took no notes and went on to make one based on what they remembered

    • @e.c.listening326
      @e.c.listening326 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      ‘Write that down....write that down...’

    • @Jehty_
      @Jehty_ 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Nah, more like someone wanted to make a decent looking boom box for as cheap as possible.

    • @mattgies
      @mattgies 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Reminds me a bit of the "tree swing cartoon" (Google images will know what this means).

    • @charlieangkor8649
      @charlieangkor8649 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      There are people you ask to draw a clock face and they draw only the right half or all the numbers show 1 or they are backwards or in a straight line... Hemispatial neglect and other brain problems... Seems like this was designed by one of them.

    • @marqsee7948
      @marqsee7948 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      the Yertub channel named Forgotten Weapons showed a few Chinese pistol copies from decades ago that were just like that. 'It's like somebody saw one of these automatics and didn't know what any of the buttons on it did, then invented uses for them when they copied the design.'

  • @JessHull
    @JessHull 3 ปีที่แล้ว +68

    That "tape counter" cracks me up. I couldn't stop laughing when you showed that. This clearly proves this device isn't for anyone that actually used a real tape player or boombox back in the day. This is for a younger audience that just wants to have something that looks boombox like and has never really used or seen a real one.

  • @005AGIMA
    @005AGIMA 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Thank you so much for taking the time to make such a detailed review. I spotted the Brooklyn in BigW today (Australia) for $199 (about £99) and this review was perfect. I may still consider the Brooklyn as my usage is to have some 80's poor quality sounding playback (yes I want it to sound poor lol) but also as a backup cassette player to load 80's computer games from. So what interests me is the wave form test and drift and warble, which actually seemed fine. There are cheaper players but most suffer from irregular speed which kills game loading. If I can get hold of that Panasonic here though, that may be the better option.
    Thanks again. Great info and channel. Subbed.

  • @raul82
    @raul82 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I bought the Panasonic after watching your review... I'm very happy with it... Thank you and greetings from Spain!! 😉✌️

  • @hadireg
    @hadireg 3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    The price tag is outrageous for that boombox. Thanks for the review Matt!

    • @jonathaneastwood2927
      @jonathaneastwood2927 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      For the amount of technology that resides within it I would say it's pretty cheap. The public has got way to used to getting complex electronics for peanuts.

    • @jonathaneastwood2927
      @jonathaneastwood2927 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Android-ng1wn I disregard your predictable and rude comment.

    • @meetoo594
      @meetoo594 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@jonathaneastwood2927 At the volumes these things are churned out at it probably cost £5 in electronics and £10 for the rest tops. £250 for something that costs under £20 to make and doesn't even work properly is the definition of a rip-off.

  • @vermis8344
    @vermis8344 3 ปีที่แล้ว +68

    First thought on clicking on this video is that those kids on the box front have no clue what the thing is that they're posing with.

    • @stevesstuff1450
      @stevesstuff1450 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      Sad part is, those kids are probably posing with something else, and this 'thing' was just photoshopped over it!! :-D

    • @CantankerousDave
      @CantankerousDave 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      The people who designed it clearly didn’t know what the tape counter is for.

    • @philismenko
      @philismenko 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@CantankerousDave i bet the kids could work an original one better than the people who made that thing

  • @imnickleonard
    @imnickleonard 3 ปีที่แล้ว +56

    All of the cheap brands of the 80s and 90s became luxurious quality components overnight when they come out with this one

    • @evensgrey
      @evensgrey 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      Back in the 80's and 90's, 'cheap' still had to sound decent to non-audiophiles, since that was who was buying it. These days, audiophiles are off being scammed with digital devices with lots of gold on them for no actual reason. (As I like to point out, digital either works or it doesn't. The 6$ HDMI cable works precisely as well as the 150$ one. It might be more prone to failing on repeated disconnection and reconnection, but then, a gold-plated one might actually fair worse there because softer metal will wear faster. Yes, you can plate it with a harder gold alloy, but actual quality isn't what's being gone for in the audiophool market.)

    • @theatomicpunkkid
      @theatomicpunkkid 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I've got a Sony boombox one speaker radio with 4D batteries in it and I bet even in the condition it's in now it can run rings around the GPO something or other on this video. When the tape deck actually worked it would have one hands down.

    • @couldntmixapotnoodle
      @couldntmixapotnoodle 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      @@evensgrey thank god somebody else shares the opinion that the audiophile market is bollocks I got into an argument with one about how tapes only sounded as good as they were recorded. And there would be no point recapping an almost brand new product for a "clearer" sound.

    • @MrTaxiRob
      @MrTaxiRob 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@couldntmixapotnoodle but it IS worth renovating classic era analog audio gear for warm, rich sound. Go ahead and pump digital media through it if you like, it will still sound better. Wider range, deeper lows and higher highs. And you'll still save a bindle over the new high-end stuff.

    • @dcarbs2979
      @dcarbs2979 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Even makes Matsui look good!

  • @genekwagmyrsingh9433
    @genekwagmyrsingh9433 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    8:08 I'm old enough that it's still neat that it can display the channel name.

  • @HulksterHogan
    @HulksterHogan 3 ปีที่แล้ว +57

    Don't you just love it when your audio equipment is built like an easy bake oven?

    • @StayMadNobodycares
      @StayMadNobodycares 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Easy Bake oven was a way better product.

    • @qpol
      @qpol 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      "bruh shut up you built like a M̶̡̡̡̡͈͈̠̪̼̖̱̠̼̬̺̈̈́̈́̓̅̋̚͝͝ͅṀ̷̨̛̜̤͇̰͚̳͛̿̀͝M̶̧̨͇̰̮̙͙̰̖͍̮͖̲̻̤͇͓͓͔̓̊́̂̿̌̑͛̊͜͠M̵̢̛͍͔͔̲͕̪͇͍̾͂̑̄̿̊̈́̄̏̕̚̕͠͝͠ͅM̸̱̠̩͇͖̳̚͠Ḿ̴̢̧̢̛̲̻̻̺͓̤̠͓̜̌̒̅̉̄̍́̐̾͋̀͛̾̂͌̀̈́̚Ḿ̷̱͓͈̫͓͍̘͊̌̈́̀̓̈́̎̒͝M̴̛̰̠̰͚̜̯͖̮̱̥̜̥͔̤̥͛̄͛̈́̓̉̄̒͐͋͛̈́̄̀̔̿̽̎͜͝ͅM̵̢̨̢̦̞̗̣̗͈̜͂͋̔̑́̐̆͝M̸̯̜͙̫͐̍̋̑̓͆͋͂̔́̂͋̚͘̚ B̴̩͖͎̠̘͓̄̀ͅE̸̜͠͝E̶̠̥̔̿͛̅̃͋͝P̴̨͇̻̑̿̄ ̷̜̻̇͑̄̂͑̄B̷͖͔̂̃͗̂̅̎̿Ę̵͖̞͖͇̜͒ͅE̴͓̺̮̥̠̩̝̤͌͊̔̀͑̌P̷͓̱̪̣̪̝̐̃̍̂̈͗͜ͅ ̷̛̖̳̥̞͙̑̒̔̿B̷͔̈́͆̐̓͋̄͊Ë̶͇͙̅͗̿͜͝E̴̛͖̫͔͖̣̥͖͂̾̇̌͌̅P̵̧̣͓͎̑̎͒̑͠ ̴̢̺̭̟̀̾̀̊̔̓͊B̷̟͙̑͊͊̎̑̚͝Ȩ̵̹̭̤́̌͆̈̅Ẽ̷̖͛͝P̶̨͇̗̆̌̐̀̔̍̚

  • @SheddyIan
    @SheddyIan 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    That Sony Dab radio you used for comparison sounds nice, lovely clear sound

    • @Techmoan
      @Techmoan  3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      Yes it’s a lovely little thing - it was in Lidl one day...a really good price too.

    • @raychambers3646
      @raychambers3646 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I bought a mis priced dab radio in tescos years ago £6 could have sold 10 s over at work still going strong.

    • @robertschnobert9090
      @robertschnobert9090 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Techmoan Hello Techmoan! Take care and stay healthy 🌈

    • @valentingartner3793
      @valentingartner3793 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Techmoan you guys have Lidl in England?

    • @abzhuofficial
      @abzhuofficial 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@valentingartner3793yes

  • @Choujeen
    @Choujeen 3 ปีที่แล้ว +70

    "I want maximum balance. Yeah, that sounds all right."

    • @LuciferStarr
      @LuciferStarr 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Maximum balance should dead centre, yes?

    • @9mmmike642
      @9mmmike642 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Only if it goes to eleven.

    • @simonwarren65
      @simonwarren65 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      LOL! :)

    • @bigfil1981
      @bigfil1981 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Setting it to minimum Left a lot to be desired!

    • @abadenoughdude300
      @abadenoughdude300 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Perfectly balanced. As all things should be.

  • @stridermt2k
    @stridermt2k 3 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    I really enjoy this channel and can see why it is so highly regarded!
    Great stuff!

    • @jooei2810
      @jooei2810 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      It truly is!

  • @kennethgroves6552
    @kennethgroves6552 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    "It's got to be rubbish- isn't it. Rubbish!"
    Love it Mate! Greetings from someone who loves your videos, in the U.S.A.
    All well done sir, thank you for the work! UK & U.S.A. friends forever!

  • @alexk1395
    @alexk1395 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Not sure if it's been mentioned, but the distortion you saw when plugging the recorder into the input is likely a clipping problem - reduce the volume on the source to see if it goes away. When you clip a digital input, you get square wave distortion, resulting in peaks at each harmonic - just like what you saw. While I expect a lot of loss in the recording, it didn't fail the test as hard as it seems =)

  • @hanklewis6371
    @hanklewis6371 3 ปีที่แล้ว +201

    Techmoan: “i have spoken long enough”
    Us: “You don’t know us really well, do you?”

    • @livardo
      @livardo 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      I hated that he became self conscious about how lengthy his videos are because some knob said he talks to much. It's why we're here of course.

    • @madwax4771
      @madwax4771 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Techmoan should have a talkshow 5 hrs every morning

    • @marrrtin
      @marrrtin 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@madwax4771 I'd listen to it over R4 any day.

    • @remixandkaraoke
      @remixandkaraoke 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@livardo Right!

  • @tanhockjun
    @tanhockjun 3 ปีที่แล้ว +140

    We all know it's not going to be good... Just want to watch Mr techmoan roasting it

    • @roberte2945
      @roberte2945 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      That scathing British disappointment.

    • @hifismiffy
      @hifismiffy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I have seen another review of this crap on youtube and sorry to say, the reviewer loved it. My last great radio/cassette recorder was an Aiwa TPR990 and it was a beauty.

  • @PaulioBee
    @PaulioBee 3 ปีที่แล้ว +246

    "Designed in UK."
    It might be time to update those consumer laws.

    • @LuciferStarr
      @LuciferStarr 3 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      Well. The people in the UK sent the logo across as an email attachment, requested it be placed on the front and back optional locations, thought up the model number and provided the address for the label on the back... That qualifies as "designed". Doesn't it? It doesn't?? Ooh you're so picky!

    • @thefamilydad8635
      @thefamilydad8635 3 ปีที่แล้ว +19

      Note that it doesn’t say “engineered.”

    • @davebulluk
      @davebulluk 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      Time to teach uk consumers not to be dingbats.

    • @timothybrown7792
      @timothybrown7792 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      The shell of the radio probably was designed in the Uk but built in China with cheap components

    • @ArdaKaraduman
      @ArdaKaraduman 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Maybe they meant United Kong ?

  • @andreib302
    @andreib302 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    “The thing can’t even hear properly” at 21:45 really cracked me up

  • @doubleT84
    @doubleT84 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    "What's wrong with the GPO Brooklyn Boombox?" [Gary Oldman:] EVERYTHING!

  • @nslouka90
    @nslouka90 3 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    That delay when switching between inputs was probably the most hilarious thing.

  • @andymouse
    @andymouse 3 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    "There's no belt going up to a counter mech " made me chuckle...cheers

  • @ridingtheflow6752
    @ridingtheflow6752 3 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    it might've actually been designed in uk. Its not uncommon for factory to immediately start selling design contracted by brand "on the side", unbranded by cheaper if they like it - or simply "leak" all design docs to another factory which starts unbranded production. because of this one of long known rules to follow was - never contract single factory to do whole thing.

    • @80s_Boombox_Collector
      @80s_Boombox_Collector 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      "Designing" something simply means creating a drawing and then getting bids from China.

  • @supernova6486
    @supernova6486 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Matt the capacitor you mentioned in the video is to block low frequencies from the tweeters found in lots of two way setups. The value of the capacitor determines the crossover point and likely contributed to the harshness metallic sound you hear when they use the tweeter to play some of the midrange.

  • @sezwo5774
    @sezwo5774 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I love these reviews, ...the subdued voice of the reviewer says it all here :)))

  • @theheathster2
    @theheathster2 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    It looks like a ‘parts bin’ special. Surprised there’s not a Compact Flash card reader on there!

  • @StarkRG
    @StarkRG 3 ปีที่แล้ว +36

    That "Designed in the UK" bit really made me wonder about the effectiveness of false advertising laws in the UK.

    • @D4rkS4v4nt
      @D4rkS4v4nt 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Makes you wonder about the disparity in prosecution. Lots of large companies including amazon churning out unsafe and possibly illegal products with no visible consequences. I guess someone is turning a blind eye... Yet if you had a little shop in your local town and did the same they'd probably lock you up!

    • @neuman356
      @neuman356 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @Marc Carran Maybe they sent some chinese "engineers" over to the UK for a couple of weeks to draw up this piece of garbage?

    • @dgpsf
      @dgpsf 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @Marc Carran Yeah I suppose someone in the UK decided what logo files and box art to send to the Chinese mfg on alibaba and you could argue that was "designing" the boombox 😞

    • @RealBadGaming52
      @RealBadGaming52 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Seems if it’s not advertised in magazines, TV air radio they can get away with anything

  • @shadshowadradna
    @shadshowadradna 3 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    The Imperial Typewriter Company brand must be available, if anyone's looking to market - oh I don't know - a new fridge that _looks_ a bit like a good one from the 1950s, only with a video streaming twist.

  • @GlennHamblin
    @GlennHamblin 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I have an old Sony CD8 boom box that works a treat. I had to replace the belts in the tape player and while I was in there I scabbed in a Bluetooth reciever and a switch to swap the input from the tape to the module so it's been modernized to a point. I love and use it every day!

  • @GoTeamScotch
    @GoTeamScotch 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I dont own any cassette tapes, only own a handful of CDs, never owned a boombox during their heyday, have no intention of buying one... yet here I am.
    Great video. Well presented.

  • @iamstartower
    @iamstartower 3 ปีที่แล้ว +261

    God i mis the 80's and early 90's when everything was still being made in japan and quality was miles ahead.

    • @xp7575
      @xp7575 3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      Seriously, Japan would have taken the time to both capitalize the "I" and spell the word "miss" right 😅

    • @Aaron48219
      @Aaron48219 3 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      There was a lot of crappy "fantastic plastic" back then too though. I remember my mother having a stereo console made by Soundesign and it was *horrible*. The big name stuff, Kenwood, Pioneer, Sony, Denon, Onkyo....were all usually good quality...with the exception of Sonys CD optic laser systems.

    • @paididoy
      @paididoy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@xp7575 ,nice try Mr. GRAMMAR!

    • @valrond
      @valrond 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Indeed. I own 5 MSX computers, 4 of them from Sony, all of them made in Japan. Great quality, still working.

    • @Ruojis
      @Ruojis 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@Aaron48219 thats exactly right. Good stuff is made today also. Just wait 30 years and see what survives

  • @ninefingerdeathgrip
    @ninefingerdeathgrip 3 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    Ah, it has all my favourite output levels, on and off

  • @tinplategeek1058
    @tinplategeek1058 3 ปีที่แล้ว +135

    "All fur coat and no knickers" as my dear old mum would have said.

    • @morzemus1805
      @morzemus1805 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Most british insult I've read today.

    • @scaper8
      @scaper8 3 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      I don't know; depending who's in that fur coat, that might not be a bad thing…

    • @RCAvhstape
      @RCAvhstape 3 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      In Texas it'd be "all hat and no cattle."

    • @NewFalconerRecords
      @NewFalconerRecords 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      Australia: "All sizzle and no sausage".

    • @Shifter-1040ST
      @Shifter-1040ST 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      Germany: "All foam and no beer."

  • @dwyaris
    @dwyaris 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Glad I watched your review - saved me making a purchase that I now know I would end up being very disappointed with - thank you Techmoan

  • @alexeizhiltsov6797
    @alexeizhiltsov6797 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thank you for a very useful and informative video. Despite the great looks, it seems that one has to avoid this piece of equipment. But there is one issue that was addressed and with which I respectfully disagree, namely that practically all boomboxes from the 80-s are not worth considering anymore. Indeed, if not serviced these will definitely malfunction. But if they are technically maintained in good condition - belts replaced, mechanics oiled, caps replaced if appear defective, etc. - these machines will last until the generation that admires them expires itself. The sound and built quality of this machines being far superior to what is on the market now, the effort of maintenance is worth the result. JVC RC-M70, National RX-7000, Sanyo MR-X920, JVC RC-838, Sharp GF-96969, to mention a few that I keep, all work fine. And belts and other parts are easily available on Ebay and not difficult to replace, service manuals and guidance being available on the Internet. As for me, I do not regret my choice, but of course it is all a matter of taste.

    • @nthgth
      @nthgth 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Good points, and good on ya for keeping those and keeping them in good condition 👍🏻

  • @hau5ofmau5
    @hau5ofmau5 3 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    What a great way to start a Saturday morning. Having my breakfast and watching fresh Techmoan content.

    • @synthpilot23
      @synthpilot23 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      It’s 3 in the morning and there is a tornado watch. This isn’t how I anticipated my night but the video should make it better.

  • @robc4191
    @robc4191 3 ปีที่แล้ว +36

    At least you don't have to pour a tiny little cup of water in the top to get steamed hipster toast out of it.

    • @seanfagan6998
      @seanfagan6998 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      That's the name of my newest song steamed hipster toast.
      Available on iTunes and Starbucks

  • @JamesOKeefe-US
    @JamesOKeefe-US 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    "As a CD player it performs the function it was designed for" I just love this characterization 🤣 Absolutely underwhelming but technically true. Great video as always! Happy Saturday!

  • @timogul
    @timogul 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I love this thing. It's like a very clever _simulation_ of a boombox.

  • @ChasLarge
    @ChasLarge 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    The problem with the DAB reception is that only one part of the dipole antenna is connected. Looking at 24:25 in the video, you can see three connections to the DAB module but only one is wired, the other (either side but probably the RH one) needs to have a connection usually to some form of Ground Plane, a large metal plate, or wire which goes round the inside of the cabinet. I've fixed a few DAB radios, Roberts, Pure and Sony and they all have a large inside metal plane for this, it looks like shielding but is the other half of the dipole.

  • @AkosJaccik
    @AkosJaccik 3 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    I don't know how they managed to achieve this, but the product photo at 00:30 on the packaging already screams "NOPE!". Let's see if they can improve upon the first impression.
    Edit: Good Heavens, they couldn't...

    • @evensgrey
      @evensgrey 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      It would be OK as a radio for the workshop at, say a fifth what they're asking for it, which looks like it would still make them a profit. But at the price they want...

    • @Jehty_
      @Jehty_ 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@evensgrey a radio that doesn't have good reception?

    • @evensgrey
      @evensgrey 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Jehty_ Perhaps I should say "CD player" rather than "Radio," but a receiver may be just not god enough for the particular circumstances. IIRC, Techmoan's home isn't in a great spot for analog radio reception, and the room he normally shoots in is particularly filled with electronic noise (to the extent he had to go elsewhere in his home to do the reception recording test).

    • @Jehty_
      @Jehty_ 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@evensgrey he had to go into another room because of his router.
      Every house has a router in it. Most commercial buildings have much worse things than routers.
      And on top of that most factories/workshop are steel frame/sided buildings. If you can't get a reception in a stone building you won't get any in a steel one.

  • @jdatlas4668
    @jdatlas4668 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Ahhh, another nice relaxed Techmoan video to watch during breakfast. What a nice start to my weekend.

  • @rusuclaudiu1988
    @rusuclaudiu1988 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    Maybe just my interest grew on cassette players but I also believe that in this uncertain world simple things like having the music in a physical format (Lp or cassette) simply gives us a false sentiment of certainty. I mean, I have two decks, planning to buy the third one, three walkmans and one great record player and 95% of the time I am still listening flac's or YT music. But those 5 percent are extremely important to me. Just sitting in front of the shelf and choosing the album to be played makes all the sense in the world

    • @jmi5969
      @jmi5969 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      So true.

    • @rusuclaudiu1988
      @rusuclaudiu1988 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@mycosys I am no audiophile for sure. I have a jvc td472 and an onkyo integra with a pioneer on the way. Not Nakamichi but for sure not Ion tape to usb. Both of them are fully cleaned, libbed, checked and calibrated. Truth being spoken only ferric and chrome tapes on them, no metal ones. I have a hearing well over medium being capable to hear 23000 hz as per the doctor two months ago (this is the reason why at work inside the office the noise is killing me). Because of this I enjoy listening more the tapes because I do not feel the ears going fatigued. But this is due to the lack of highs. True, the sound is warmer due to this, I like it because is not like cutting the highs from pc, the pioneer amp is superb, the woofer adds a little pinch of warmth but the reality is that at least these two types of tapes are not as close to reality as a CD or FLAC. I enjoy them more? Yeah. Are over the bluetooth music streamed by youtube? Yes...but we also should be honest with ourselves. It is something we like more, not something better. And it is fine just like that

  • @lwilton
    @lwilton 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The frequency sweep showed second and third harmonic distortion. This is likely, at least in part, from clipping the signal at some point in the chain. That might be someplace where you can do something about it, like turning down the output of the recorder playing into the thing. Or it might be internal, and possibly deliberate to get the "loudness" up on the device.
    It could perhaps be worth trying again and turning down the output level of the recorder to see if it cleared up the extra harmonics, but from the raspy sound it has on everything, I have my doubts about that.

  • @prismstudios001
    @prismstudios001 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    “What does the thing do?” “ Look interesting ...What do you want, functionality?“

  • @charlesrozhon2139
    @charlesrozhon2139 3 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    Best part about this video is you showing the higher quality alternatives for folks who wouldn’t know. ♥️

    • @abadenoughdude300
      @abadenoughdude300 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Or at least ones that are far less crap for far less buck.

    • @amnril
      @amnril 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Meanwhile over his shoulder lurks the JVC RC M90 🤫

  • @namespacetoosmall
    @namespacetoosmall 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    The huge magnets on the back are probably there for "magnetic shielding" - they used to have to glue a magnet to the armature in the opposite polarity to stop the magnetic field spreading outside the speakers too much and distorting the image on old CRT monitors.

  • @samuelschwager
    @samuelschwager 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I just like that wow and flutter meter, it looks so classy.

  • @kcharles1149
    @kcharles1149 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Relaxing vid as always....you sir are the Bob Ross of electronics !

  • @RoughJustice2k18
    @RoughJustice2k18 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I recently bought this boom-box (brand new - black) for almost $500 + postage.
    _"Bringing the 80s boombox bang up to date, the GPO Brooklyn gives you sound and style in equal measure. Fully portable with two 40 watt speakers but many disappointments are also included..."_

  • @gbshahaq
    @gbshahaq 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    As always, thanks for providing some Saturday morning entertainment!

  • @limelorax
    @limelorax 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I had seen this a few years ago and i was WAITING for someone to do this. Thanks a lot man.

  • @Bullorg
    @Bullorg 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Among the best channels on youtube. Fantastic content as usuall.

  • @Number-tf7ce
    @Number-tf7ce 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    That counter reminded me of the story of the kid who saw a 3.5" floppy disk and asked "Why do you have a model of the save icon?".
    Apparently that kid now designs retro consumer electronics.

  • @life5161
    @life5161 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    That tape Counter is the best!! I totally have to order one of these immediately!!!

  • @RCAvhstape
    @RCAvhstape 3 ปีที่แล้ว +86

    When I was growing up in the 80s, I thought, "We have such cool music gear, and with companies like Sony, etc., imagine what cool stuff we'll have a few decades into the future!"
    3 decades into the future:

    • @GreenAppelPie
      @GreenAppelPie 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I had a proper boom box AM/FM/cassette/AUX. with actual functional switch for tone, stereo/mono, casette type, Dolby, etc. with 6” woofers, 1” tweeters, actual analog tuning. It could easily serve as the primary house stereo. It took 6 ‘D’ size batteries. The main thing is, it was heavy, and it sounded full and wonderful. Nothing felt cheap.

    • @RCAvhstape
      @RCAvhstape 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@GreenAppelPie I had an Aimor boombox that was really high quality, even had shortwave radio bands. Long gone.

    • @evensgrey
      @evensgrey 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@RCAvhstape Damn, I'm trying to think back to when I last saw a radio with short wave capability. I think it was in high school, back in the 1980's. I haven't gone LOOKING for one, but the internet has largely done for short wave services these days. It's so much cheaper for a broadcaster to just offer their foreign service as a stream.

    • @BertGrink
      @BertGrink 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      As a sexagenarian who's always been interested in HiFi and stuff, I would say that even in the 80s the general quality of audio gear had begun declining slightly, compared to the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Most of the brands that existed back then, and are still around now, are a travesty in my opinion.

    • @vooveks
      @vooveks 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@GreenAppelPie They go for crazy money now, in good condition. But they were really well made and sounded amazing. Which one did you have?

  • @brantisonfire
    @brantisonfire 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    So glad you decided to keep the beard. Hope the missus enjoys it like the viewers. But, as in my case, if my wife didn’t like it, I’d have had to shave it by now.

  • @ronniepirtlejr2606
    @ronniepirtlejr2606 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    I used to have the JVC DC-7 boombox when I was 14 years old in 1984. When loaded down with all the D batteries, it weighed around 50 lbs. Or 22.68 kilograms. It was a beast to carry around. It was best just keep it plugged in because the batteries only lasted about 2 - 3 hours and were very expensive.
    I thought it sounded fantastic!
    You would think things would improve over the years, it certainly has not!
    I can hear the wow & flutter with the tape during the playback at 16:56 . At least TH-cam is still using standard Play Back Timing.
    Wow and flutter is going to be off the chart!
    This thing really is garbage compared to what I grew up with.
    It's a shame because, there is so much potential if they would just integrate today's technology with yesterday's technology!

  • @railgap
    @railgap 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I had a non-portable boombox when I first joined the USAF in 1980. It was, erm, "luggable". It did indeed have a handle, so it met the _industry_ definition of "portable". It was also a complete, separatable, bookshelf component system if you took off the handle and some other bits. Made by JBL, ran on line voltage or several kilos of D cells. I will have to search whether you've reviewed it...

  • @HandFromCoffin
    @HandFromCoffin 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    OH MAN! That old red boom box you have. My friend had one when I was a kid and I remember listening to tapes on it thinking we where cool.

  • @iainwalker8701
    @iainwalker8701 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Was curious about the actual speaker specification so i searched "sw-918 sunwin" as Matt found on the speakers, and found out that Sunwin technology are the original manufacturer and that sw-918 is the model number for this model.

  • @flightlesssquirrel503
    @flightlesssquirrel503 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    It would be interesting to see a review of the Teac w-1200 cassette deck, given that it looks fairly decent and claims to have some form of noise reduction.

    • @Agamemnon2
      @Agamemnon2 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      Vwestlife has just recently put one out.

    • @cdl0
      @cdl0 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Vwestlife's video is th-cam.com/video/qtAdZl7PXLA/w-d-xo.html The tape noise reduction system is for playback only.

    • @GaryKeepItSimple
      @GaryKeepItSimple 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@cdl0 th-cam.com/video/0zTexDhUq1A/w-d-xo.html Unboxing and Audio test and review. And you can hear the noise reduction on the shoot out video.

  • @frodothehobo9581
    @frodothehobo9581 3 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    Bahahaha.
    I am Belgian, can confirm we love mussels! Moules frites, mussels with fries, is one of our national dishes!

    • @Techmoan
      @Techmoan  3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      I've been disappointed by a plate of mussels once too often to bother again. Once you've faffed around getting all the mussels out of the shells and binned all the shells off - you get the equivalent of a small handful of edible food. It's a small snack that blags like it's a meal. But hey don't let me put anyone off - we can't all like the same things - if we did there would be no need for a menu at restaurants.

    • @hunterdavis3003
      @hunterdavis3003 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Techmoan hey techmoan I thought you couldn’t taste!?!

    • @frodothehobo9581
      @frodothehobo9581 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@Techmoan See, over here the come in giant pots and they definitely do make up a proper meal! With some truly delicious sauce they've been cooked in.
      Truly a shame if shops over there, or tourist traps here short you on the edible biomass! Quite frankly a crime!

    • @Techmoan
      @Techmoan  3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      @Hunter Davis I still need sustenance.

    • @bobblum5973
      @bobblum5973 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you, *Frodo TheHobo,* I love Belgian Waffles. (Assuming they're actually Belgian, of course! 😊)

  • @Number-tf7ce
    @Number-tf7ce 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The Sony PCM recorder *might* have a line output level selector somewhere in the menus. Pro audio gear often uses a +4dBu level standard whereas consumer gear uses -10dBu, so if you play one into the other you'll either get massive distortion or a very low signal.

  • @TA-it7yx
    @TA-it7yx 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hi, Love your reviews! Here from the USA. I bought this about a year ago from Amazon for a whopping $260. I do enjoy it for sound. Tweeters are Real and the sound is amazing! I have disconnected the battery and only use it on the go. The tape counter isn't one. So wrong choice. I just used black tape over the counter! New generation does NOT know the 80's-90's and how to build a Boombox! I have tested the micro SD recording from Cassette and use it on the go in my car and sounds great recording. Not bad only it could have Really been better GPO! The graphics I turn OFF as it's not an audio visual graph. Low sounds shows full RED. Crazy design. N-Joy it! Not bad CD player too! Oh and I almost forgot... when a tape ends and it engages the Auto Stop it so SOOO Loud it will wake anyone up from a Coma! LOL - I added some cushions on the top of the piano keys and it does help! I do like the key guard bar to protect the keys! It's about the best retro boombox that is NEW with NEW belts and motors out there that I've researched for months before I bought it. Too bad new companies didn't research some of the old boomboxes features into new ones today. Oh well. Gotta enjoy what you have!

  • @martynlewis5901
    @martynlewis5901 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    No surprise that the Panasonic RX comes out as your recommendation. I used to have a Panasonic RX (can’t remember the exact model no) back in the 80’s. It had detachable speakers, a level indicator and auto reverse cassette. I loved that thing.

    • @rich_edwards79
      @rich_edwards79 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Panasonic stuff is awesome. I've recently picked up a couple of old Viera plasma tellies for under £50 each and they're built like tanks. Still working perfectly after 15+ years. Not smart but that's just another form of planned obsolescence anyway.

  • @Brookspirit
    @Brookspirit 3 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    The sad thing is that young people will probably never know what quality items like this are really like, they are only seeing cheap rubbish. These days seem to have only top quality or junk, not a lot in the middle, the 80's and 90's had a huge variety of good quality mid-range products.

    • @bookfound
      @bookfound 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Its worse then you think it is, seeing as you have to pay top dollar for junk too.

    • @SkigBiggler
      @SkigBiggler 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      I can see some truth in this as a young person myself. Most consumer electronics are built like shit, even expensive ones are a gamble as to whether they cared or just inflated the price tag. Tools are particularly bad. The model now seems to be to manufacture something that breaks quickly, but is cheap enough people don’t grumble too much about buying another one. The they fleece you on the batteries. Older tools might not be battery powered, but they were far far better built. You can still find good quality tools, but it’s not as simple. Everything seems to be value engineered to last just long enough, and the amount of rubbish this kind of practice ends up producing is and should be criminal. Companies ought to be held responsible for basically selling rubbish.

    • @genekwagmyrsingh9433
      @genekwagmyrsingh9433 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      It's just harder to find that stuff, I think. It still exists.

    • @bookfound
      @bookfound 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@genekwagmyrsingh9433 Of course it still exists. The real question is if any current manufacture is providing quality products. If Techmoan's videos are anything to go by then the answer is no.

    • @matthewweflen
      @matthewweflen 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I was thinking along these lines, but really the issue is that these are dead/dying formats, and as such the companies that are interested in quality and perfrmance aren't making them. You can get amazing headphones, digital audio players, and speakers that totally surpass the sound quality of good 70s-80s gear, But you won't find a tape deck that will do so. Only when they become profitable enough for the boutique hi-fi companies will you see an expensive, well made tape deck that rivals good modern boutique turntables.

  • @shelby3822
    @shelby3822 3 ปีที่แล้ว +28

    "babe you still haven't made coffee?!?"
    "hun they put a friggin stopwatch on this thing!! A STOPWATCH!"

    • @mattgies
      @mattgies 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Can we even call it a stopwatch, when you can't even *stop* it?

    • @Themunit1
      @Themunit1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@mattgies its a startwatch :D

    • @mattgies
      @mattgies 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Themunit1 Haha, perfect!

    • @andrewgwilliam4831
      @andrewgwilliam4831 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@mattgies Sure you can. You switch it over from tape mode to CD mode.

    • @mattgies
      @mattgies 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@andrewgwilliam4831 But then, unlike an actual stopwatch, *this one* will display nothing (instead of freezing on the time that you stopped it on), correct?

  • @SuperCrazyDiscoKangaroo9001
    @SuperCrazyDiscoKangaroo9001 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    8:53 That Sony DAB Radio is an excellent receiver for both FM and DAB based on my use of it.

  • @TheFlyingBusman
    @TheFlyingBusman 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I’ve been waiting to see a review on this if only to confirm how dire I expected it to be. One of those items you keep the packaging as it may come in useful and bin the contents!

  • @panpaletkalg2550
    @panpaletkalg2550 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    oh man, i was seriusly considering getting one of those, thank you so much

  • @KanalFrump
    @KanalFrump 3 ปีที่แล้ว +71

    OMG chopsticks font. I'd not last a day in the GPO office without getting a restraining order to keep me from strangling their entire art department.

    • @elonmask50
      @elonmask50 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      Kanal Frump, that's gives a whole new level too going postal.

    • @SwampGas703
      @SwampGas703 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Yeah... they are trying way too hard to appeal to their target demographic.

    • @newtronix
      @newtronix 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Could have been worse could have been Comic Sans!

    • @jmi5969
      @jmi5969 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      A disposable box of a disposable boombox... isn't worth a criminal record, or is it?

    • @jimmymcgill2961
      @jimmymcgill2961 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      General post office office?

  • @NewFalconerRecords
    @NewFalconerRecords 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    This device reminds me of that "Mr Mann" character from Little Britain who's always going into the shop asking for the most obscure items you can think of: "I'm looking for a 1980s style boombox that has a red light display that constantly counts seconds upwards for no apparent reason."
    "Margaret!! Margaret!!.. Do we have a 1980s style boombox.... etc"

    • @ericpode6095
      @ericpode6095 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      "This is a local shop for local people"
      Oops
      Wrong show

  • @jimmartin7881
    @jimmartin7881 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    The guy at my local landfill pulls audio/electronics for me and I go down once a month and toss him a few bucks. I've gotten some absolute treasures over the years.

    • @MartinOmander
      @MartinOmander 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      What are some of the cool things you've found this way?

    • @jimmartin7881
      @jimmartin7881 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@MartinOmander A brand new in the box Philco tape recorder from the mid 60s, never even opened. A crate of JBL tweeters for a concert hall, they're huge, like 20 lbs a piece.

    • @MartinOmander
      @MartinOmander 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@jimmartin7881 Wow, those are some great finds. Congratulations!

    • @gordonwelcher9598
      @gordonwelcher9598 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I found 2 Audiomaster monoblocks with preamps sitting on the side of the road.
      EL34 valves with Partridge output tranformers. Changed grid coupling capacitors and now the monoblocks work and sound great.
      Someone threw out Grandpa's old stereo.

  • @simonwarren65
    @simonwarren65 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great, avuncular manner about him, that guy, could listen to him all day, haha! :)
    Just this afternoon, I returned a GPO Brooklyn boombox to the retailer for a refund.
    A number of problems. I tried the radio first, and when I pulled on the left-hand antenna to extend it, the endmost section came away in my hand! Broken through. Wow. Great start.
    The cassette deck struggled to play [several different] tapes at a satisfactory speed. Then after a short period of playback, the STOP/EJECT button wouldn't fully depress, thus I couldn't stop the tape. I pressed down on the PLAY button momentarily, then STOP worked, but that shouldn't be necessary, should it?
    Also, on the model I received, there was no cue/review function, which ticked me off, 'cos the seller's feature list and photos boasted such.
    Then, insult to injury, after 24hrs or so, the LED clock display went bonkers and quit on me.
    In short; the GPO Brooklyn looks cute, but it's cheapo Chinese rubbish. Although not cheap ENOUGH! I'm surprised the features list on the box doesn't begin with: 'Magnificent and Noble in Shape!'
    Now, I still love the IDEA of this thing. If, say, JVC were to make a similar-looking product - with all the integrated components of far higher quality and better functionality - then I for one would be all over it, albeit no doubt at greater expense.
    The tweeter casing should be rectangular for a truly retro look, but I'm just geeking, haha!
    Was fun to try it out, but not a keeper.