Portable MP3/CD Audio Players - NOT iPod
A boombox is a portable stereo, typically with a handle on top, two speakers, one on each side, and as a single unit. They are typically under 3" wide. They originally accepted audio cassette tapes, and later compact discs.
With the popularity of MP3 digital audio, people have been looking for a boombox that will play MP3 files. The market was flooded with units that looked like a boombox but were designed for iPod players to dock to them. Wise consumers that haven't bought into the overpriced iPod fad were not impressed. One should not have to own an iPod to use a portable mp3 playing boombox.
Finally, 10 years later companies are starting to introduce boombox models that play mp3 audio from CD and even better, from SD card. One should not even consider a boombox that only plays mp3 audio from a CD. The SD card option is a must! The capacity of the SD card is x10 of a cdr.
Here is a list of boombox models that meet the following criteria:
- does not require an iPod & no iPod specific dock (F!-ipod)
- play mp3 audio directly from an SD card
- at least 1 aux audio input so you can hook up your android phone and play music from it if you like.)
- looks (at least remotely) like a boombox (prefer no ugly space ship looking contraptions)
- prefer no archaic tape player
- AM/FM tuner optional
- prefer it has USB input (can connect a usb flash drive)
- prefer a shuffle option (random vs just playing music in order)
This list was started in 2012.
Boomboxes!
Naxa
- Naxa Portable MP3/CD Player with Text Display, AM/FM Stereo, USB/SD/MMC Inputs Model NPB-250 The Naxa Electronics NPB – 250 Radio Boombox is a small to medium size electronic device weighing about 5 pounds. It has an AM/FM radio and a top- loading CD/MP3 player. A USB plug can be found on the front of the boombox along with an SD/MMC card slot. Other inputs include an auxillary jack and headphones. DIMENSIONS: 13.8 x 8.5 x 5.1 [ L x W x H ] at 4.0 lbs
- Naxa Portable MP3/CD Player with Text Display, AM/FM Stereo Radio, USB Input & SD/MMC Card Slot Model NPB-256 DIMENSIONS: 17.5 x 9.5 x 7.0 [ L x W x H ] at 5.9 lbs
Quantum FX
- Quantum FX J-30U (cannot locate company web site)
- Quantum FX J-114U AM/FM/SW1-SW9 Radio USB/SD Player (cannot locate company web site)
Lasonic
- p-151-bi931btq Ghetto Blaster w/EQ, BlueTooth and AM/FM tuner, 3.5mm stereo auxiliary input, USB input and SD card reader for direct MP3 playback. Two powerful 15w speakers
SuperSonic
- Supersonic SC-1395 Portable Audio Player/boombox with Usb/sd and Am/fm Radio (may not have a cd player)
- Supersonic SC-149TD 7 LCD Display Portable Micro System with DVD/CD/MP3, AM/FM, USB & SD Card Slot DIMENSIONS: 11.5 x 8.5 x 5.75 [ L x W x H ] at 3.65 lbs
Jensen
- CD-750 Jensen - Portable CD Player with AM/FM Stereo and MP3 Encoder/Player