The boom box was born when stereo capabilities were added to radio cassette players. The boom box was introduced in the late 1970s. Boom boxes were also called ghetto blasters, jam boxes and radio cassette recorders. The popularity of the boom box was largely due to the remarkable sound power contained in a portable box.
History
The late 1970s to the late 1980s is regarded as the age of the boom box. Though the boom box attained great popularity, it had a relatively quiet beginning in the mid 1970s, as the first models were small and very heavy. They came with input and output jacks so that they could be attached to amplifiers or other external audio equipment to give a booming sound. Marantz, Panasonic, Sony and GE saw the potential of the boom box and made improvements that resulted in the hugely successful boom boxes of the 1980s.
Features
The boom box consisted of two or more loudspeakers, an amplifier, a radio tuner, and a cassette or CD player, all housed in a single plastic container which could be carried from place to place. The boom box came with AC/DC connectivity, and could also be used with batteries. Boom boxes had volume tone and balance features to adjust the audio output. As technology improved, boom boxes got advanced features like high speed dubbing and a five- to 10-band graphic equalizer. Advanced versions of the boom box also had integrated or additional satellite connectivity. Recording could be done from an external audio source and from the integrated radio.
Significance
The boom box ushered in the personal stereo experience, which lead to the era of break dancing and hip hop music. It offered higher fidelity and better quality sound in portable music. By adding extra magnets to the speaker, louder and clearer sound could be pushed through.
Effects
The boom box made music portable. Music could be taken to the street to be shared with others. Music from a personal stereo could be enjoyed by a group of people at home or at work. Though stereos became more personal with the advent of the Walkman and iPods, the boom box holds a special place in the hearts of music lovers and audio enthusiasts, and has become a valued collector's item today.
Benefits
Boom boxes were easily available and also affordable. Recording from a boom box was easy, and one could record music from the integrated radio through the integrated cassette player on to a cassette. The boom box also picked sounds from other external audio systems, and these sounds or music could be recorded on a cassette.
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