Is the Sony CD Boombox with Bluetooth and NFC worth buying? Read our review and find out!
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The boombox is seriously iconic. Some say it changed the streets forever.
Want to get in on this piece of retro tech?
Great! But it can be really hard to figure out which boombox is right for you.
Should you go for the one which looks best? Maybe the cheapest option will be fine? Perhaps there’s not much difference between the various brands?
Reviews are the best way to get your questions answered.
We’re here to tell you all about our experience with the Sony CD Boombox with Bluetooth and NFC. This review should provide a helpful benchmark, allowing you to compare other products, and make a decision based on your needs.
Ready to hear exactly what we thought of the Sony Boombox?
Durability
If you’re planning to go old-school and take your boombox out with you, you want to know that it’s durable.
What use is a portable music player that can’t survive a few knocks?
The CD boombox is pretty durable. It’s travelled around, been on a few camping trips, been carried by young kids, and has coped well with it all.
The plastic feels sturdy, although the player is still nice and lightweight.
Design
The player is all black, with two front-facing speakers and plenty of buttons on the front. It has a top-loading CD player and an LCD display.
Overall, it’s a traditional looking CD boombox with a good solid handle. It’s not designed to look really old-fashioned like some ‘retro’ boomboxes are, but it still has that early 90s look.
It’s a practical design, although a more design-conscious person might prefer something fancier.
If you’re mainly concerned with practicality and sound quality, this player is a good choice.
Sound Quality
The most important question of all: how does it sound?
The boombox boasts two large stereo speakers, complete with ‘mega bass’ sound enhancement.
The sound is rich and full – there’s no issue with it sounding tinny or thin, which can be the case with cheaper products. It’s not at all shrill, and the bass is good.
If you’re wanting to really blast tunes at full volume, you might be disappointed, but the volume here is pretty good considering the compact size of the unit.
Display
The display isn’t backlight, which means it’s not great for use in your bedroom at night.
It can also be frustrating if you want to use the boombox while camping at night, or during a party in the evening, although most don’t find it to be too much of an issue.
Using a mobile phone torch makes the display easy to see in the dark, and the text itself is nice and clear.
When not in use, the display reads, ‘Standby’. It’s not a big issue, but having it display the time instead would be a nice feature.
If you’re shopping for someone with poor eyesight, the display should be fine. It’s a good size and the text is a traditional radio-style design. This boombox is ideal for an elderly relative who wants to play CDs.
Connectivity
Unlike some music players which boast good connectivity then take hours to set up, this boombox is extremely simple to get connected.
To play music from a mobile phone, you simply need to tap the NFC icon on your phone, then tap your phone onto the corner of the boombox. There’s no need to mess around with complex instructions, which is great.
It’s also really easy to connect MP3 players or USBs using a standard USB slot.
Record CDs to MP3
One really cool feature of this boombox is the ability to record CDs onto your MP3 player.
That’s right – no more wasting time burning CDs to your computer, then downloading to your MP3 player. Simply insert an MP3 player or USB stick, then press the record button and your CD will be transferred.
This is really convenient, and great if you have lots of old CDs you’d like to digitize. It’s also a great way to share music with friends.
Someone loves a rare tune you’re playing? Let them plug in and record it!
Ease of Use
Want something that lets you hit a button and hear music? Tired of touchscreens, complex settings, and a million different options?
You’ll like this boombox.
Although it does have some powerful settings, like the ability to connect via NFC and burn CDs to USB, it’s simple enough for almost anyone to operate.
Older family members won’t have any trouble inserting a CD and hitting enter, and it’s great as a first music player for kids, too. The buttons are clearly labeled and nice and large, perfect for big and small hands.
All of the ports are clearly labeled too, so there won’t be any confusion when it comes to inserting headphones or USB sticks.
Radio
As well as playing music from CDs, USBs and mobile phones, the CD boombox has a built-in AM/FM radio.
This is a great feature and lots of fun if you like to travel with the boombox and want to tune into local stations. You can create up to thirty different presets, which should be more than enough for even the most die-hard radio fan.
Again, the easy to use controls and the option of setting up presets makes the boombox perfect for kids or elderly relatives.
Battery Life
The CD boombox can be powered by battery, mains or USB, which is really convenient for travel.
The battery lasts for up to 26 hours, which is more than enough for a party or weekend away.
It takes 6 size C batteries and they’re easy to click out and change – thankfully there’s no need for a screwdriver.
The battery life to be more than adequate. Although, if you plan to use the boombox out and about often, invest in some rechargeable batteries to save money.
Which CD Boombox Should You Buy?
There are loads of factors to consider when purchasing a CD boombox. Here are the qualities that are the most useful to compare:
- Sound quality
- Size
- Appearance
- Cost
- Connectivity
- Ease of use
It’s a good idea to start comparing reviews for a few of your favorite boomboxes and visiting a store to take a good look and hear the sound quality for yourself.
Don’t rush into a decision. Make sure you choose the best boombox that’s right for your needs.
