Home > Consumer Reviews > JVC RVNB20W MP3 CD Boombox with iPod Link

This is a really great sounding boombox but it's definately lacking in certain ways. It's also pretty nice in certain ways. One thing I like about it is the ability to wake up to the music of my choice, the sleep timer, and the remote control. One downside is that this is a very heavy unit - especially when loaded with all the big batteries it requires.

The features list states that this unit comes with an FM transmitter - but it doesn't! That is apparently a mistake in the features list and was my first disappointment.

Although it works with an iPod but there is no docking station. You have to connect it by a USB cable and then leave the iPod somewhere within a couple of feet of the boombox (many other iPod ready units allow you to simply plug it into the box securely...).

Yet another thing that could easily be improved upon is the display you get while playing your iPod via this unit. Instead of displaying artist/title information, it simply has the word CONNECT displayed. On the plus side, you can use the units remote control for basic control of your iPod. For example, you can pause it or skip forward or backward a song at a time.

Another area that could easily be improved upon is the sound controls. I'd really love to have a built in graphic equalizer to set up the sound I want. Instead, what you get here is 5 position bass control, and 3 preset controls based on the kind of music you are listening to. It works pretty good, but I'd prefer to have more control.

Finally, and this is really a problem in my opinion, this player loses all of it's programming every time you unplug it - even though I have it loaded with all new batteries. I have programmed in all of the radio station presets three times now, and have lost them every time I have moved it from one location to another. I don't know if this is typical for this player or if there is simply a problem with the one that I got... It is pretty bothersome though!

All I can say is "excellent". Did not receive manual, but wasn't necessary
as I owned an original cassette based model from 1998. It lasted 9 years in the dusty environment of a cabinet shop. This new I-pod based unit is equal in everyway. Some peolple don't realize that there is a secondary battery carriage behind the large batteries that powers the memory unit when in "off" or "standby" mode. They are AA or AAA, I don't remember.
Don't hesitate.....this is a smart purchase. Pete

I work for a large grocery store chain as a night grocery stocker. When my son asked what I wanted for father's day, I told him a boombox loud enough to cut through space & background noise of the store I worked at. As you may or may not be aware, most "boom" boxes have been majorly downsized for one reason or another. Finding a decent large one is nigh on impossible. He did his research online and found the most amazing box I've ever heard.
On the down side is it's size. It appears rather like a golf bag than a boombox. It carries 15 batteries (10 Ds & 5 AAs) & it weighs a ton (my wife says she can't even lift it). When slung over your shoulder, it is very awkward going though doorways & such.
On the upside, It's as exactly as advertised. "KABOOM" is the perfect name. It has no tweeters & with it's design it apparently needed none. The small foward firing 2&1/2" speakers are full range & with an apparent cutoff of all low frequencies, it does soaring highs & smooth midrange with no apparent effort. The side firing woofers are a real treat. The unit has quad amplification. That means each specific speaker has it's own amplifier.
Needless to say, this unit is absolutely perfect for my needs. It sounds just as good from the rear as it does from the front. It carries sound through the entire store at which I work & completely dominates the crappy elevator music piped in to the store (an extremely large grocery store).
As far as sound, I'll tell you this. My co-workers get angry with me if I leave it at home. The managers are always asking to 'borrow' it instead of telling me to leave it at home. The unit volume goes up to 50 & on some music, you can take it all the way up & leave it there (example: Pulse/Live/Pink Floyd). The fact that it plays mp3s as well as normal cds frees me from even having to change discs though the eight hours of shift.
The unit also works fine in my car. It does not mention motion memory but apparently has some because it works flawless in my car as no other boombox I've ever owned did because of skipping. It does have an optional car adapter but I have purchased a 12volt d/c to 110 volt a/c converter & just plug it straight in just like the house/store.
I do warn anyone who purchases this unit that it will 'EAT' batteries like crazy because of the amperage of the amps in the unit. So I just keep in plugged in at all times. Besides, you don't have to be right next to this one to hear it clearly.
I rate it a 10 on the 10 scale a dare anyone to claim even half as good on quality regardless of cost (self contained all in ones only). If you're a true audiophile, this is the one you've always wanted but couldn't find.

I now have two of these. One is the RVNB20W I just bought, and the other is RVB99BK that I bought a few years ago. They both have memory backup batteries (3 AA batteries) they are located inside the battery compartment underneath where the D cells go. If only those two other reviewers read the owners manual! Neither the presets, or the time programming gets lost.
So besides the units not having a ridgid handle to use(There is a supplied shoulder strap that has a nice remote holder built in)that would be my only minor quibble, otherwise these radios Crank! I use them with creative Zen mp3 players hooked into the AUX ports.(I get days worth of music). You can even drive two of these from one mp3 player for double the thumping for parties! 5 stars all the way.

Ignore the price. You'll enjoy every minute, even at low volume settings and of course you can blast it too. I wanted decent sound, but after having other boomboxes aboard my boat, I developed some other criteria. It's hard to find one with pushbutton radio tuning(yeah-talk radio), lighted display, an alarm clock function and plays CDs burned on my computer. The reason for 4 stars instead of five is due to the poor performance pulling in radio stations that aren't powerhouses.

After deciding I had to have it, no stores in Hawaii had it so I had to do the internet thing. Amazon had the best price and shipping and I received it quickly. I will always check with Amazon first for future purchases.