JVC RC-BM5 AM/FM/CD/MP3/Tape Boombox
Written: Dec 12 '02
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Pros: Sound quality, MP3 & CD support, Remote
Cons: basic, manual operation tape deck
The Bottom Line: Superior sound quality at a modest price, support for CD, AM, FM, Tape, MP3s, and easy remote control make the JVC RC-BM5 a winner.
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| OpalMirror's Full Review: JVC RC-BM5 Cassette/CD Boombox |
My wife was looking for a unit to support her teaching dance classes, where sound quality must be clear with reasonable volume. Both CD and Tape media are important, as well as an ability to carry a large sampling of music edited for for specific dances (MP3s on CD-RW). Remote control of CD and MP3 was a significant plus. The JVC RC-BM5 won in comparison listening.
This is a one-piece boombox with remote control. It offers support for both digital audio and MP3 CDs, CD-R, and CD-RW, along with program, loop, and random modes. It has a digital FM/AM radio tuner, and a mechanical cassette tape deck. There are four audio EQ modes (Rock, Classic, Jazz, etc.), and a bass boost feature.
The best feature of this ~$100 unit is the sound quality. It is suited to listening to complex music and will excel for classical, orchestral, vocal music, or anything with an intricate arrangement or wide frequency range. The audio reproduction is best of all similar boomboxes I listened to in its price range and below, including
* Sony CFD-G55: 3 speakers, bass-heavy (literally) with muddy mid-range -- great for sheer volume and bass but not much else
* Sony CPD-S20CP: wimpy 2-speaker small-wattage sound
* AIWA CSD-F89: disappointing audio quality and volume for a 4-speaker system, and the controls were awkward
I did find a unit with better sound, volume, frequency and dynamic range: The Philips eXpanium AZ 4000 knocked my socks off. Truly professional quality... However, it did not have a cassette deck, and cost $180 -- putting it in the next higher tier of portable audio products.
The controls (other than the tape deck) are all digital and cluster around an LCD display at the front of the unit. The remote control gives you full access to all these functions.
Navigating large quantities of MP3s is eased by being able to move forward and back a folder of MP3 files at a time. I especially like to put an MP3 collection on Random play mode. Long file names are trickier to navigate, but it is not too bad. Note that the display shows the MP3 file and folder names, not the ID3 Artist and Track name data embedded in the MP3 files. MP3 playback sounds good, but is slightly harsher with more digital distortion than when I listen to the same MP3 on my personal computer. This isn't a big issue because MP3s by design sacrifice quality for the convenience of being able to carry hundreds of them, at less than FM Radio quality, on a single CD.
The CD drive plays CD, CD-R, and CD-RW media. CD playback sounds excellent and that is where this unit shines the brightest. AM/FM radio plays with high quality too, and it picks up even weak stations reliably (unlike the AIWA FD89).
The cassette deck is a serviceable, hardy mechanical unit like you would find on a good $50 CD/Tape/AM/FM boombox. There is no remote or programmed control. It only plays one side of the cassette. This was adequate for my requirements but if digital tape control is your thing, you will want to look for a different unit.
The unit's size is good for its class, and it is lighter in weight than some similar units.
I purchased the unit at a retailer for $119.99, and mailed in a $20.00 refund, bringing the price to $99.99.
I haven't been able to rate battery life since I leave the unit plugged in.
Overall, I am delighted with the JVC RC-BM5 boombox, it features good design with special attention paid to sound quality, MP3 and CD with remote control usability, while still offering a serviceable tape deck, and all for a reasonable price.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 99.99
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Epinions.com ID:
OpalMirror
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Reviews written: 2
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