Sony CFD-ZW755 Portable CD / Cassette / Radio Boombox with Detachable Speakers

• CD boombox with dual-deck stereo cassette and drift-free, digital-synthesized AM/FM tuner
• Synchronized CD/cassette dubbing
• 4-preset electronic equalizer (rock/pop/live/vocal), Mega Bass low-end enhancement
• Remote Commander remote control (CD/tuner/volume/power/function)
• Clock/sleep timer, Loop/Flash sound effects

I like to play music -mostly classical -at my desk at work. This past week the volume control on my old Sony boombox broke (after nearly ten years of daily use) so I went out looking for a replacement. I was pleasantly surprised at the low prices of most of the units I saw, but they sounded rather tinny compared to the good sound I was used to from my old Sony. At the end of the shelf I found this model. When I inserted the CD which I had brought with me for auditioning, I immediately heard a clear improvement in sound over the less expensive models. In fact, the sound was even better than that of my old Sony with which I had been thoroughly pleased. I bought this model on the spot and the next day installed it next to my desk at work. It's very convenient too use, looks nice (compared to most current boomboxes) and sounds great. Sure it cost a few dollars more than the inferior-sounding units but(...) I'd say it's a great buy.

Incidentally, although I listen almost exclusively to CDs, this unit has two tape drives, which allow for tape dubbing (which a lot of cheaper models don't) as well as a digitally tuned AM/FM radio. Also the CD player has 1-bit conversion -like the best CD players, but unlike most boomboxes -which contributes to the better sound. As I said, it's a great buy.

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1 YEAR UPDATE 2/6/05: This Sony boombox has gotten worse since I last reviewed it a year ago. I just discovered that the right speaker (as you face the unit) no longer works when playing CDs. When using the radio or tape deck, no problem. The only sound out of the right speaker when playing a CD is just a very faint crackling sound. Understand that this boombox sits on a tabletop and is hardly moved around even though the intent of a boombox like this should allow for frequent moving. I'm pretty disappointed while I sit here listening to one channel on stereo CDs. Time to go shopping only after 1 yr of use! Not good.

ORIGINAL POST 1/25/04

Pro:

1) Doesn't look flashy and wierd like a lot of recent boom boxes.

2) Still working after 2 yrs. nothing has broken (no CD playing problems).

3) Does a basic job of making sound.

Con:

1) Turns on mysteriously at night probably due to a neighbor's remote controller on the same frequency as my boom box or being triggered by some other random radio wave. (has freaked me out at times causing me to wake up in the middle of the night and get out of bed to turn it off really freaky if the CD is playing my daughter's nursery songs.)

2) Setting radio station presets is not intuitive and simple.

3) Lacks decent bass sound relative to my Magnavox boom box, even with the "Mega Bass" activated.

4) FM and AM radio reception is mediocre. I live in Los Angeles with a lot of strong radio stations but some local stations just don't come in clearly without static.

5) Lacks the Sony quality feel that I used to know.

6) Price to high should cost around $60 for what you get.

Bottom Line: I expected better from Sony given my past experience with their products.

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I have owned two of these for two years now, and have another one on my wish list. I cannot praise them highly enough. I am very particular about music sound and quality. The sound on this player is absolutely awesome, whether you are playing a CD, listening to the radio or cassette tapes! And it does quality dubbing from one cassette to another, and fantastic recording from CD to cassette tape. I am not a technical person, but am particular about sound, and I use Sony studio headphones to plug into this for those times when I want to listen solo. (I can also recommend KOSS headphones, available here on Amazon) I use those with my MP3 player and portable CD players.

I can say that my Mom purchased a Bose system for her home (very pricey) and she was so disappointed. After hearing this Sony, she was just sick that she paid so much, because the sound of this Sony player was better. I can highly recommend it.

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I have this system for about 2 years. Initially it was great. Now left speaker does not work with CD's. It's still OK for radio and cassette. I sent e.mail to Sony and they offered refurbished system for 93$ (brand new costs max.99$) or repair for 110$.

It looks like a usual problem with this system (see other reviews). Next time I'll buy Sharp or Panasonic or Philips.

I had this stereo 3 years before I sold it. Great CD player,great

cassette recorder,and great radio. The CD player didn't skip, and

the cassette player made great recordings. Both the G500 and the

ZW755 are great systems, but the cassette player is better on the

ZW755, partly because it was a duoble deck and you could record

off of the other deck. This is a great portable unit! Way to go

Sony!