JVC Kaboom Portable CD/MP3 Boombox with Active Ported Subwoofer System and Built-in Guitar Amp

JVC Kaboom

Strengths: Sound is great. Features are very nice and convenient. Ability to play MP3's from disc and acts as a guitar amp or PA as well.

Weaknesses: Large and heavy. Not real practical for carrying, but worth it for the sound.

Summary: I bought this stereo without having heard or trying it out. I don't believe I could have bought a better boombox for the money or at all. It is very versatile and powerful with a very good sound quality. It produces amazing low tones as well as the mids and highs. It is a bit big and heavy, but what would you expect for such a powerful sounding stereo? It is also very durable and rugged. The remote control is full function and very handy. It would make the perfect beach, pool, picnic, or camping companion for any music lover. Especially if you play guitar or like to do karaoke too. I would recommend it to anyone looking for great portable sound.

100% of People (5/5) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?

  Report this as inappropriate.

 There are 1 comment for this review. Read all comments. Post a comment.

Great overall

Strengths: Good sound quality for a box and solid build. Can play music from an iPod or other portable music device (need your own cable). Plays a CD with mp3 files burned on my computer with no problem.

Weaknesses: A little heavy.

Summary: This is a great box with reasonable sound for portable music. I sort of wish it had a handle for carrying it, but it does have a shoulder strap which is more useful when carrying it for any length of time given its weight. I use the line-in feature to play music from my iPod and I can play a CD with mp3 files. This is a very versatile box and it seems quite solid.

100% of People (3/3) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?

  Report this as inappropriate.

 There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.

Big Boom

Strengths: About as good as you could possibly hope for in a portable player of this price.

Weaknesses: Could wish for individually adjustable EQ bands but that would probably be more money and these presets are pretty good. Might have had a number pad on the main unit too, but, again, maybe more money.

Summary: Round is strange and seems a bit bulky yet is probably the best solution for accommodating those big bass speakers which are a compelling feature in the dynamic sound combined with portability as found in this item. Generally, I am pleased with everything about it.

100% of People (2/2) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?

  Report this as inappropriate.

 There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.

World Champion

Strengths: Clear powerful sound!,Mp3,remote,Carry strap.

Weaknesses: Weight & Size(but what do you expect)

Summary: This unit can knock down walls,the sound quality is outstanding.I love mine.This is the real deal, the total package.Sounds best when youi are right in front of the unit.

100% of People (1/1) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?

  Report this as inappropriate.

 There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.

The sound quality from this boombox is the best I' ...

Strengths: Sound quality. MP3 capable. Strong bass. Sounds like a home theatre system and can be moved anywhere. Adjustable bass level with seperate volume knob. Remote works well outside.

Weaknesses: Heavy. Small display. Not very weather tolerant. Sand and dirt get in cd tray easily. Can be very easily moisture damaged. Won't read DVD's for mp3 playback

Summary: The sound quality from this boombox is the best I've heard from anything apart from a full blown home system. We use it for pool parties and everyone always comments on how good the sound is from just a boombox.

The unit isn't as weatherproof as I thought it would be. The cd tray/lid is a bit clunky and is relatively open to the elements. Also, the back of the system has large cooling vents cut into the case that makes it very fragile around moisture.

When I read up on this system I thought it was JVC's attempt at a more rugged boombox. It is not, although it looks like it is. The sound quality really is something else though and you just have to trade the bad for the good.

DVD playback for mp3 compilations would be nice. I still haven't found that feature on any boombox so far.

94% of People (32/34) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?

  Report this as inappropriate.

 There are 1 comment for this review. Read all comments. Post a comment.

This Is THE Box

Strengths: (all major) clarity of sound / simplicity of use / awesome design

Weaknesses: (all minor) no carry handle / no equalizer / can I rewind tape while playing CD?

Summary: I searched hundreds of boxes before I chose this JVC. My choice was based on the recommendations of other PriceGrabber users - and they were right! It is superb. I hear my CD's better than on my large Sony component stereo, and it has brought back to life boxes of old tapes(some irreplaceable!).

The lack of equalizer seems not to matter - I can hear all ranges on all types of music... and I listen to everything from Maroon 5 to Charlie Parker to Shostakovitch. My best story is of an old Chicago song (on cassette, BTW) that ends with a toilet flush...well, my cat(who has a thing for toilets) was so convinced that it was the real thing that he jumped up on the table and tried to scratch at the boombox. That's clarity. I look forward to years of 'cookout music' and more with this beautiful piece of stereo equipment.

Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?

  Report this as inappropriate.

 There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.

Monster of a Boombox

Strengths: High quality sound - particularly bass - for a portable system. Backup battery. Solid construction.

Weaknesses: Expensive. Sound might require some tweaking to get right. Heavy and awkward to carry.

Summary: I was in the market for a portable boombox for connecting to my PC and playing MP3s. The choice came down to either the Sony Xplod or the JVC Kaboom.

I previously owned a Sony CFD-G500 (predecessor to the Xplod), which had good sound (better than most portable iPod speakers) but also sometimes "buzzed" slightly as it strained to play a very low note. Plus, the styling was a little obnoxious and you'd loose all the settings (volume, etc.) if you unplugged it.

I'm pleased to report that the JVC Kaboom addresses most of these shortcomings. With two subwoofer speakers on the sides (both bigger than the Xplod's), it shouldn't come as a surprise that this system can produce rich, deep bass. It also has a battery backup (3 AA batteries) so all the settings (volume, etc.) will be preserved if you unplug it.

Unfortunately, quality comes at a price: this system is twice as expensive as the Xplod. Plus, when I first tried it, I thought the sound was rather flat . . . until I turned on the "Active Clear Sound" feature and experimented with the built-in equalizer settings. Now the sound is excellent, but keep in mind that it might not sound the way you expect right out of the box.

Finally, the size of the unit could be a problem for some people. It's "portable" insofar as you can transport it more easily than a home stereo system. However, since it's more than two feet wide and a foot deep, it takes up plenty of shelf space. The pictures you see online don't do justice to how big this boombox really is.

Nevertheless, this system is an excellent investment for anyone who's serious about powerful, accurate sound in a semi-portable package. Boomboxes don't get much better.

Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?

  Report this as inappropriate.

 There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.