Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony CFD-S350 CD/Cassette Portable Boombox (Silver)

My Koss boombox finally gave out after 25,000 hours, and I needed something immediately for my two parrots, so I got one of these locally, despite some negative reviews on Amazon.com. Lighten_up_already2's review convinced me that the Sony product would be fine because I use the product the same way: cds get played on "repeat all" endlessly for my parrots, and sometimes for me (relaxation cds at night.) Using an audio cd, I compared the sound it produced side-by-side with several of its competitors at Fry's, and the Sony sounded better. I couldn't tell about the bass in the store.

The first thing I did when I got the product home was to test the Mega Bass function, because several reviewers have commented that it didn't do anything. The birds and I listened to some old Boney M and the bass DID get "enhanced"--not much, but I could detect it.

In the product literature, Sony claims a frequency response of 20 to 20K HZ for cds, but little bitty boom box speakers couldn't possibly take advantage of that; the audio power specs are what to look at: "With 3.2-ohm loads, both channels driven from 150 - 6,300 Hz; rated 1.8 W per channel-minimum RMS power, with no more than 10% total harmonic distortion in AC operation." If ~150 Hz is the lowest bass that it produces, then you are not going to notice much bass under ANY circumstances (there isn't much to enhance.)

The <10% THD must be a misprint; I can't conceive of a Sony product that bad, even a cheap little boombox. I have several Sony products, including an old ES-series tape deck, and I have never had any trouble with any of them.

I was disdainful at first that the product included a remote, but, when it doesn't disappear, it turns out to be useful. The controls on the unit itself are a little awkward and non-intuitive. I don't like the way the cd player part opens and closes: you have to press on a certain spot to get it to open, and it is spring operated. The Koss was much better.

One thing that surprises me, considering the historical relationship between Japan and China, is that the product is made in China. I would have more faith in it if it were made in Japan, so I will be watching (or listening, rather) closely and will update this review if necessary. The Koss that died after serving my birds and me so well for so long was also made in China, however.

Used this in the kids room for listening to lullaby CDs at bedtime and the radio during play time. Did the job faithfully for about 3.5 years, now the CD player doesn't function. Wish it would have lasted a little longer, but to think it played a CD at least 1-2 times every day for almost 4 years, I guess I can't complain! Off to buy a new model.

Have used this unit mostly for the tape player. Noticed that the tape keys for forward/reverse seemed to stick. Now, after 10 tapes or so, the play key has jammed, indicating poor quality. I am expecting the CD player to do the same.

However, the remote was interesting. It actually worked (though I'll probably rarely use it).

First unit purchased the CD went out at about 6 months. Thought it may have simply been a dud. Bought second unit, also because of the remote. CD on unit lasted about 10 months. Warranty is 3 months, that figures.

Two dud's and you're out!

The movement of the cassette tape is too slow. It gets weaker toward the end of the reel.