It has been over two decades since boomboxes disappeared from the streets in the 1980s. The renowned Radio Raheem gadget took with it the thrill of break dance at the sidewalk and outdoor blast. Music became personal and technology switched to this direction.
If you are a music enthusiast, the party is back, press the play button and sit back for the good old days of boomboxes.
Both the old fashioned and the new version are known for their outstanding technology and performance.
One of the most interesting experiences you will find in these boxes is their power-packed bass; their inbuilt speakers ensure these things live up to their name. And speaking of speakers, did you know that you could also connect them to
wireless speakers? Well, if you want to spice things up a bit, this is just one of the options to take things to a whole new level.
Thanks to their size, a handle and a strap on some of them, it goes without saying that portability is another aspect you will find with these boxes. Besides, with their considerably low price, you get a good sound for your buck. If playback is your favorite, a
USB drive will help you go full throttle with the fun, but if you like tuning in, then they also come with a radio as well. It does not end here; you can also use your
smartphone with most of them, just in case you want to enjoy the files in your handset.
Before looking through our review, have a look at the important features of these incredible musical legends.
Price
Price is important when it comes to purchasing electronics — as you get what you pay for. Boomboxes come with different features, in different designs and sizes, and all these factors affect the overall price. Generally, for a good quality boombox, you can find one in a range from $60 up to $120. If you go for the high-end product that offers you more features, you can expect to pay more.
Let’s not forget there are cheap boomboxes but they will only offer you limited features — like not being able to connect your smartphone or plug in your USB and jam to your favorite playlist. If you hope to enjoy such features, expect to pay a premium.
Features
It goes without saying that one of the best things you can find in these boxes is their myriad features, from colors, sizes, and capabilities. All these are meant to give them not only a pleasing appearance but also an outstanding performance. Checking out the box with the best features for your choice is absolutely the way to go.
Here are some of the features to look out for:
- Type - Boomboxes come in a variety of options, but most of them come with surround sound feature, CD player, and others enable the use of iPhone input for an unbeatable user experience.
- Speaker - Usually, this aspect is determined by the size of the boombox, most smaller ones come with two speakers while the larger ones feature three, with the additional one being for bass purposes.
- Battery life - Boomboxes in this day and age will probably have a power cord to plug into the mains, however, some may have the options of batteries too. Whatever the case, make sure you’ve got enough battery life to keep the party going!
- Connectivity - When it comes to boomboxes, you do not have to worry about connectivity issues, as you can count on wireless options, USB port, jack port, you name them; it all depends on your choice.
- Color - Whether you are the sort who love bright colors, or go for whatever option is available, boomboxes will always have something for you. These boxes come with a considerable variety of colors, ensuring something for everyone.
Construction and Design
When it comes to the aspect of sound, personal choice plays a significant role in determining the type and level of sound you want to experience. With boomboxes, you have every reason and means to switch a little function to a full-on party. Show off the different playback options with your surround sound that’ll put everyone inside the music!
While we’re on the subject of speakers, you should consider what size meets your needs. If you’re just planning to put your boombox on in the house during a small get together or whilst dancing around with the mop then you probably won’t need very large speakers. If, however, you’re a bass head and you want to feel the beat, then go ahead and opt for a box packed out with the latest, loudest speakers. Just remember to grab some ear plugs while you’re at it.
Finally, the last thing to consider will be design. We all have our differences when it comes to style and color, and this is well known to manufacturers. From red, black and silver to fushia, turquoise and gold, there are many options on the market for you.
Performance and Ease of Use
If you have already used a boombox, you probably know how important a lasting battery can be. Make sure the boombox you go for has a decent power supply or battery life and you’re good to go. Most boomboxes today will be ones where you charge them up at home and then you can take them out and about wherever the wind takes you. A battery life on full charge of 8 hours + is a must, but look out for some extra-awesome boxes where the battery life lasts more than 18 hours! Yes, it’s true, we’ve seen it with our own eyes!
Another thing these new boomboxes are utilizing is connection. Ensure the product you choose has all the connectivity you need, whether that’s Bluetooth capabilities, a 3.5 mm jack port for external speakers or wireless connectivity to your smartphone. All these things will make your life a whole lot easier when you’re trying to bust out your best moves to that retro 90s tune! Last but not least, another handy addition would be a remote! Yep, those old-fashioned things: well, who wants to walk all the way over to the boombox to do a dramatic change of song?
When it comes to choosing the perfect boombox for you, it can often get a little confusing due to the sheer number of products available on the market today. Now that you have a better understanding of the factors you need to look out for, let’s take a look at the top 5 brands in the boombox category we have selected.
Features
Created in 2005, iHome was marketed especially for iPod electronics. iHome is now the #1 brand within the iPod speaker market as well as the #1 brand in digital player speakers too. Today, iHome offers not only speakers but alarm clocks, clock radios, portable speakers, home audio systems, headphones and smartphone accessories too!
We wanted to feature iHome’s iPod/iPhone Speaker Dock Boombox due to its great reviews online and its fun retro design. This boom box comes with a pivoting connector that charges and plays 30-pin iPhone and docking iPod models too. It also has a powerful amp with two 4” woofers and two 1” tweeters for impressive sound, as well as SRS TruBass technology and 5 band EQ. This boom box also includes a digital tuning FM radio that works with the iHome radio app for thousands of internet radio station choices. As well as this, iHome’s boom box includes 100v-240v universal voltage and an AC adaptor with magnetized remote controls and an aux line-in jack.
By now you should have a better understanding of what each brand has to offer as well as what products are available to you on the market today. If you aren’t particularly fond of the product we have chosen, then don’t you worry; all our selected brands have a HUGE variety of products to choose from, so simply browse through their other choices to find the best boombox for you.
