Home > Consumer Reviews > Memorex MP3123 CD Boombox with MP3 Playback

I bought this mp3 boombox for work so that I don't have to have to keep changing cd's and 1 cd would get me through the whole day. Well this was the first one I saw, and I didn't think $50 was that bad, so I got it.

At first it worked good. I noticed right away, that sound quality wasn't that great and it didn't play very loud at all. Then it wouldn't play some of my mp3 cd's. It would say "no mp3". I took it back and got the RCA RCD125 and for $20 more it's much much better. It played the cd that this one wouldn't.

I'd stay away from this one.

I ordered this item through Radio Shack to play my MP3 radio shows. At first, I was impressed with the sound. I had been warned that the controls were a little clunky, and it was a little difficult to get the cds in and out because of the way the "hood" opens, but I could put up with that. What I hated was the way, as the other folks have said, it cuts off the end of each program as it goes on to the next. I would think that Memorex would be well aware of the problem. It does, however, seem to play regular cds just fine.

It skips the last 30 seconds of all mp3 tracks. That is rather disgusting. Plus, inability to play the lower bit rates without garbling it beyond recognition makes this product a loser. The analog FM tuner is a pain. sound quality is so and so. I bought an iRiver SlimX 350 following this fiasco. That product rocks.. Check that out instead.

Purchased my MP3123 from Radio Shack yesterday. It plays MP3s with bitrates down to 24K--beyond the specs--better than any unit I could find. Pretty good sound for a little box. It does, however, seem to have a flaw. When playing MP3 files, it cuts off the last 30 seconds or so of the track and switches to the next track. I listen to audio books and I find this unacceptable. I have contacted Memorex and they don't seem to be aware of the problem, but another reviewer here has experienced something similar. Memorex recommends exchanging the unit for another and nothing beyond that. I hope mine is just a quirky unit and that exchanging it for another will solve the problem. Otherwise it is impressive for an inexpensive player. ...

Works as expected, perfect for listening to OTR shows. I LOVE it.
It is not expensive, cute, small, and not noisy like a computer. It sits next to my bed at night grinding out old time radio shows like a champ. Buy one and see.