Good Buy / Decent Boombox
Written: Feb 18 '02 (Updated Feb 27 '02)
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Pros: Functional design, decent sound, easy to use.
Cons: Bulky and heavy, sparse options
The Bottom Line: Inexpensive boombox yields decently impressive quality and ease of use.
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| lambchops's Full Review: Aiwa CSD-ED37 Boombox |
When I was looking for a compact, easy to use stereo for my college apartment I came across the Aiwa CSD-ED37.
Since the last thing I needed was something expensive that could be easily broken, this boombox was a great purchase. So far as products went in 1999, it really was run of the mill. But, for about $100 you couldn’t go wrong with the portable system.
Silver in color and bulky in design, this Aiwa boombox came with an easy-to-use remote control. Compared to today’s portable radios, it does seem very large and very cumbersome. The stereo actually weighs in at a hefty 8.8lbs. For what I use it for today (as an office radio), it works wonderfully. Don’t expect exceptional sound, either. But, as I mentioned it was very inexpensive. It’s impossible to expect the best and pay for the least. What you do get are two speakers each with 2.5 watts of power. Certainly not impressive, but adequate. The speakers utilize the bass reflex system and simple to use the bass boost. There is also the option to choose one of three preset equalizer modes: rock, pop, and jazz.
When listening to a CD, it’s easy to choose repeat and to scan ahead through a single song or through various tracks. Just hit the tuning button. The same tuning button is also what is used to tune the standard AM/FM radio. CD’s load from the top with an easily accessible (although sometimes difficult to operate) tray. The Aiwa CSD-ED37 also is effortlessly programmable and can hold up to twenty tracks in memory.
While some boomboxes lack a tape player, this one includes a single fully functional deck. It’s nothing extravagant, but the tape deck manages to get the job done. The system does not include high speed dubbing (it would, of course, require another tape deck for that option). Rather, the ‘normal’ pause, stop/eject, fast forward, rewind, play, and record buttons are the only real tape options included.
An AC adapter is included with the packaging, although the boombox can also be powered by eight size “c” batteries. As with most other large portable devices, battery life leaves something to be desired. Don't expect eight new batteries to last much longer than a few hours. If you prefer listening to your music with headphones, there is a jack located on the top of the unit. Although, it’s important to mention that the package does not include a set of headphones. The unit also doesn't include any protection against skipped CD's. I will reiterate. This is a very basic portable system.
I feel that this was a good purchase 2 ½ years ago. Today, there are much better models incorporating both better sound and sleeker design. If you can find this product for $50 or $60 it would be well worth the buy. It seems utterly indestructible (it’s been carted now to five different locales) and aside from the bulkiness I’m happy with the Aiwa CSD-ED37.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 100.00
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Epinions.com ID:
lambchops
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Member: Shelly T.
Location: Metro Detroit, Michigan
Reviews written: 1172
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About Me:
Bye-bye CL hat. Hopefully I'll write some new reviews some time soon!
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