Portable stereo AM/FM/CD/Tape "boombox" recommendations... but

[nfafan]

Hello all,

First off, "I have one already, but it is not up to par" - that is;

Have a Sony CFD S350 carry-handle portable AM/FM/single CD/cassette stereo (even has a remote!) that is good enough for the backyard, but...

When I take it into the garage, I'd like to put it into it's "home" on a shelf and connect a pair of small speakers to it. No can do. The headphone jack barely drives a pair of old Radio Shack Minimus 8s.

I have tested it using an old Cambridge Soundworks Henry Kloss subwoofer system from an unused desktop PC via the heaphone jack and it works fine, but with my limited AC outlets this make it difficult to have BOTH plugged in at the same time.

SO - any portable "boomboxes" out there that can directly drive a set of external speakers? Thanks in advance!

 

[markw]

Headphone jacks aren't made to drive speakers, just headphones.

Your best bet is to pick up an extension cord with three outlets on it and a small amp or receiver. ...or even some powered speakers.

They do sell boomboxes that can play pretty loud but come with speakers and can be quite unwieldy.

 

[nfafan]

Probably should have asked this; a "mini portable "boom box" that can drive at least 2 external speakers".

We had an Aiwa back in the 90's that had 2 detachable speakers, but it was plastic junk and about the size of a microwave and didn't last 18months. So I kinda know what you spoke of..

As for what I am now using, I have a mini-jack bridging cable with a male at both ends to input into the Cambridge sub/amplifier from the headphones port. I tested the Minimus, Sony BS1000s, Insignias via the Cambridge; the Insignias were oustanding, but all were better than the built-in Sony speakers.

I'd like to be able to ditch having to use the Cambridge as a "docking station" and drive the speakers directly from the "boom box".

 

[Ponzio]

as far as I know there no portable "boom boxes" that have independent speaker out(s). ur best bet would be a mini-component system with a built in radio/cd/flash drive/network steaming made by Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo, etc.

for example: http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/hifi-systems/crx-n560/?mode=model
some models come with speakers, some don't, so u could install ur own.

 

[afterlife2]

or these. You can add a separate tape deck to either one: http://www.accessories4less.com/index.php?page=seek&id[m]=pattern&id[q]=mini+system

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

nfafan, Let me officially on behalf of Audioholics welcome you to the 21st century.
That you're looking is actually a Bluetooth speaker - it's small, portable and even battery powered.
You play to it from your phone or tablet.
http://www.amazon.com/Anker-Portable-Wireless-Bluetooth-High-Def/dp/B00GZC35YK/ref=zg_bs_7073956011_9
or
http://www.amazon.com/SoundBot®-SB571-Hands-Free-Speakerphone-Rechargeable/dp/B00MITLPX2/ref=zg_bs_7073956011_3

 

[nfafan]

nfafan, Let me officially on behalf of Audioholics welcome you to the 21st century.
That you're looking is actually a Bluetooth speaker - it's small, portable and even battery powered.
You play to it from your phone or tablet.
http://www.amazon.com/Anker-Portable-Wireless-Bluetooth-High-Def/dp/B00GZC35YK/ref=zg_bs_7073956011_9
or
http://www.amazon.com/SoundBot®-SB571-Hands-Free-Speakerphone-Rechargeable/dp/B00MITLPX2/ref=zg_bs_7073956011_3

Somehow I don't think that a lone "Bluetoot" will sound as good as a a pair of bookshelf speaks 8' apart throwing a good stereo image. Nor as good as the stand-alone Sony stereo in the driveway when I'm working on the car.
May have to prowl the "boombox" aisle at the local Arkansas Embassy or BBuy.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

If you want great sound it's one thing - if you want portable and battery powered it's another.
Good luck in your search for unicorns in middle of Arkansas....

 

[slipperybidness]

Somehow I don't think that a lone "Bluetoot" will sound as good as a a pair of bookshelf speaks 8' apart throwing a good stereo image. Nor as good as the stand-alone Sony stereo in the driveway when I'm working on the car.
May have to prowl the "boombox" aisle at the local Arkansas Embassy or BBuy.

You can indeed buy pairs of BT speakers
https://emotiva.com/products/powered-monitors/speakers/airmotiv-3b

Or you could consider a small amp and your own speakers
http://www.parts-express.com/lepai-lp-s60-4x25w-desktop-mini-amplifier-with-remote-usb-mp3-media-card-fm--310-306

If those don't fit the bill, then just go on amazon and search for "boom box".

http://www.amazon.com/Electronics-Portable-Player-Cassette-Recorder/dp/B00865V3N4/ref=sr_1_14?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1433784676&sr=1-14&keywords=boom+box

 

[nfafan]

If you want great sound it's one thing - if you want portable and battery powered it's another.
Good luck in your search for unicorns in middle of Arkansas....

Actually... the little PC-focused Cambridge Soundworks amp/subwoofer ran a pair of EPI-100s off of the little Sony just fine. Going to try a pair of KLH-32s tonite.

This Sony/Soundworks combo may have to do afterall.

FWIW, a quick browse of Wallymart yesterday shows they still sell the microwave-sized boomboxes with detachable speakers...

 

[Mark of Cenla]

The Sony $100 shelf system may do what you want. They do not sound too bad if decent speakers are connected. Peace and goodwill.

 

[nfafan]

The Sony $100 shelf system may do what you want. They do not sound too bad if decent speakers are connected. Peace and goodwill.

Thanks Mark! So far, impressed with the little Sony CFD S350; I'd have to think its bigger cousin would be as good or better so I def intend to go look at one.

 

[nfafan]

Just tried another pair of speakers into the combo of the Cambridge Soundworks subwoofer/amp and Sony CD player; a pair of Fisher monkey-coffin STV-724s - ran them well, really well. May have to rearrange some garage shelving to make this cumbersome docking situation a permanent pairing.