The last Boomboxes
Added 2024-07-26 16:19:03 +0000 UTC ‘Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it’.
This Ferris Bueller quote comes to mind whenever I discover that tech I've taken for granted has vanished while I wasn't paying attention. This was very nearly the case when I went shopping for a proper CD Radio Boombox. Yes there are loads of devices calling themselves Boomboxes but only in the same way I could call myself a 100 metre runner.
However when it came to finding what I consider to be a true Boombox, this turns out to be a device on the edge of extinction. Fortunately, I was just in time to capture this rare example of an endangered species on camera shortly before it is consigned to the museum of bygone tech.
https://youtu.be/vwCP6I--jgs
Everything and anything that could delay this one did - health, weather, the cat, plumbing, (not mine this time), perhaps things I'll talk about another day, but it got there in the end.
Special thanks to Simon and his assistant Generative Phil ;-) for helping out with the thumbnail… I’ve made a note to talk a little more on this in the next update in a few weeks.
Oh and as usual I’ll be keeping an eye out for music content matches on this one - I’ve been careful with the clip length, but if any do subsequently pop up, I’ll re-edit and re-upload, so please don’t be concerned if the video vanishes for a while…it will return, slightly shorter.
I do feel that I might need to start making a few shorter snappier videos - last week’s ITIC2 was the biggest flop in memory and I’m pretty sure this video won’t have mass appeal. Hopefully the thumbnail helps its chances a bit.
Take care and thanks for all the help and support. Have a good one.
Comments
Great story, as usual. But Mat, you missed a trick with your excellent line about going out with a “boom”, but then should’ve been “rather than a meow” instead of “whimper” in this case 😺
Richard Marton
2024-08-05 14:33:37 +0000 UTCListening to Michael Palin reading his diaries. He's just referred to the boombox his son wanted for his 18th birthday as a "Brixton Briefcase"!
Brad Jones
2024-07-31 12:34:29 +0000 UTCNice to see the "Moanppets" back for some classic snark!
David Fulton
2024-07-27 02:43:15 +0000 UTCThese JVC RV series sausage-shaped boomblasters were everywhere back in the day (at least here in NL). They were very popular with schools, gyms and aerobics-teacher-type figures, street musicians, etc. Basically everywhere you might need to fill a large space with sound without a PA setup. I remember them most vividly from primary school PE – seeing it meant you were in for shuttle run (beep test) agony. If you were looking for one with a cassette deck, the RV-NB10 would be a good option. I wanted that model so badly for my own bedroom back in the day! After the one they did with the iPod dock (RV-NB50), I have not seen them much, so I was surprised JVC still make them! Another fun fact, these were apparently popular enough to be imitated. A chain store here (Kijkshop) sold a knockoff boomblaster under the Marquant brand (MPR-51 says Google).
robni7
2024-07-27 02:09:13 +0000 UTCFlop or not, I thought your ITIC2 was great.
Mikey
2024-07-26 18:43:55 +0000 UTCDevices with "remote control only" functions are a blight upon this earth. The fact that this is supposed to be portable makes it especially egregious. That center dial could easily have a toggle button to go between volume and tuning. Great video Mat! I might have to start calling them Boom Blasters now.
Buckaroo Bunny Slippers
2024-07-26 18:13:34 +0000 UTCFYI, when many people (myself included) see an AI generated YouTube thumbnail they automatically write off the video as low-effort slop and don't bother watching (or even hit the "don't recommend channel" button). I mention this not to suggest that your videos are low-effort slop (hopefully that's obvious), but because you seem to be worried about this video doing well. This one isn't particularly egregious so I doubt it will make a big difference, but it's still something to think about.
Emily Christ
2024-07-26 16:40:49 +0000 UTCThis reminded me of something that showed up in a HMV email the other day, a rather overpriced walkman like device. Curious to know if that appears to be the bog standard cassette mechanism despite claims of "On the audio side, our engineers worked hard to optimize the mechanism to be as close as possible to the best of the time." The details do say: Distortion: 0,3% typ. Wow & Flutter: 0,2% typ. https://hmv.com/store/technology/audio-players/we-are-rewind-serge-orange-portable-bluetooth-cass
Adam Gurney
2024-07-26 16:35:49 +0000 UTC
