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A decent boombox
Pros
great sound, double repeat options, 20-track programming, low cost, easy buttons
Cons
analog tuning, no time display, open button not pop-up, reception could be better
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
The CD-203 is perfect for those looking for a low-cost CD-radio boombox.
I was searching around Wal-Mart for a new boombox. Now, I like going to Wal-Mart buying electronics. Yeah, I got screwed over with my Sony microsystem (which is now discontinued...I wonder if I caused it), but I like going there because you can actually listen to it and check out the sound, sort of like a brick-and-mortar store.
Durabrand
Durabrand is a Wal-Mart branded company that has been around since 2003. Durabrand is not a company, but they offer electronics from different companies, such as Lenoxx Sound, Funai, Haier, Maxell, and many other low-cost companies. Usually, a large percent of Durabrand products are from refurbished parts, while some aren't.
Sound and Stuff
The sound on the unit is good. No, not as good as those Philips boomboxes with the reflex bass ports and 100+ watts, but it's decent, and it'll sound cozy on your work desk, bedroom, pet's room, or elsewhere. Now, don't expect BOOM! out of this thing, if you want that, Philips and Sony is the way to go. But, if your looking for decent sound with some pretty big bass, this will work...remember, this is just a boombox.
No, I did not take apart the unit to see what the speakers look like, but I'll tell you about them. The speakers are normal, silver circle speakers, similar to one's found on computer speakers. Above that is plastic, and tightly covered with unknown cloth.
Design, Ease of Use, and Stuff
First off, the boombox can be run on either AC, or DC, or for people not understanding that, either power socket or batteries. So, if you want to take it out, or your like one of those people on MTV's Pimp My Ride without a radio, it can be run on batteries.
On the front of the unit, there are the stop, play, pause, program, repeat, and skip buttons. The stop button will stop the CD in play, but will not leave the CD in the same spot. The play button, umm, do I need to go over the play button? It plays the CD. The pause button does pause the CD right where you left it off, however, on glitch is that when the boombox is off, it won't go back to the same spot you left off, and you have to start back at track one and find where you were. This is a problem if you are doing book CDs, if you turn the unit off in the middle of the chapter, guess what, you'll have to memerize where you were, or listen to the chapter again. For audio CDs, this isn't too much of a problem, unless you're doing long soap operas, then it becomes the same problem. The program button lets you play the disc in whatever order you'd like, up to twenty tracks. Pretty cool feature, even though most CD players today have this feature. The repeat button is double, really cool, so if you want to repeat the same track, such as if you're trying to dislike a song, or need to repeat the song without the backward button, it's easy to do. You may also repeat the CD, as well as your program. The skip buttons are normal skip buttons. You may also search through a CD or a song, and the player will play the part your skipping if you really like a certain part of a song. The top of the boombox is the CD loader, the volume button, and the analog tuning, though the display is on the front (on the CD-1095 it's on the top). The CD loader is not pop-up, so you have to put pressure on the loader. I personally like the pop-ups better, considering they last longer and don't require any energy. The volume button is analog as well as the tuner button, not liking that. There is also a folding handle, if your taking it elsewhere than the AC. The boombox as a whole is very easy to use.
The left side of the boombox is a headphone jack, so if you don't want to disturb anyone or you want to listen privately, you can do so. There's also the radio, off, and CD switch (umm...if a boombox didn't have that, the company better be worried). The right side is the AM/FM switch.
The back has an FM antenna. I wish it was longer, as some stations still don't come in clear with it all the way up. The AC cord is also on the back. The battery compartment is on the bottom.
Features...and do I have to say it again? And stuff
I explained the features in the last paragraph, but I will overview them again. It is more than just a CD boombox. There is an AM/FM tuner along with it. There is no cassette deck, something I don't need but others may want. The volume and tuner buttons are analog...which means no presets or perfection. There is a 20-track program and a double repeat feature. I also should add that there is no skip-protection on it. Although this is not needed for a boombox, just adding it as a sidenote. It can be ran on a power cord or 6 "C" batteries. Another sidenote I didn't mention, there is no time when playing a CD, another option I don't really need, but others may want.
I Guess That About Ends It
So, I guess there's not much else to say, but the CD-203 is awesome. Sure, there are other Sonys and Philips that are better, but they cost more. Also, the looks in the picture aren't bad either (imo). So, if you're looking for a low-cost CD-radio boombox, look no further.
Durabrand
Durabrand is a Wal-Mart branded company that has been around since 2003. Durabrand is not a company, but they offer electronics from different companies, such as Lenoxx Sound, Funai, Haier, Maxell, and many other low-cost companies. Usually, a large percent of Durabrand products are from refurbished parts, while some aren't.
Sound and Stuff
The sound on the unit is good. No, not as good as those Philips boomboxes with the reflex bass ports and 100+ watts, but it's decent, and it'll sound cozy on your work desk, bedroom, pet's room, or elsewhere. Now, don't expect BOOM! out of this thing, if you want that, Philips and Sony is the way to go. But, if your looking for decent sound with some pretty big bass, this will work...remember, this is just a boombox.
No, I did not take apart the unit to see what the speakers look like, but I'll tell you about them. The speakers are normal, silver circle speakers, similar to one's found on computer speakers. Above that is plastic, and tightly covered with unknown cloth.
Design, Ease of Use, and Stuff
First off, the boombox can be run on either AC, or DC, or for people not understanding that, either power socket or batteries. So, if you want to take it out, or your like one of those people on MTV's Pimp My Ride without a radio, it can be run on batteries.
On the front of the unit, there are the stop, play, pause, program, repeat, and skip buttons. The stop button will stop the CD in play, but will not leave the CD in the same spot. The play button, umm, do I need to go over the play button? It plays the CD. The pause button does pause the CD right where you left it off, however, on glitch is that when the boombox is off, it won't go back to the same spot you left off, and you have to start back at track one and find where you were. This is a problem if you are doing book CDs, if you turn the unit off in the middle of the chapter, guess what, you'll have to memerize where you were, or listen to the chapter again. For audio CDs, this isn't too much of a problem, unless you're doing long soap operas, then it becomes the same problem. The program button lets you play the disc in whatever order you'd like, up to twenty tracks. Pretty cool feature, even though most CD players today have this feature. The repeat button is double, really cool, so if you want to repeat the same track, such as if you're trying to dislike a song, or need to repeat the song without the backward button, it's easy to do. You may also repeat the CD, as well as your program. The skip buttons are normal skip buttons. You may also search through a CD or a song, and the player will play the part your skipping if you really like a certain part of a song. The top of the boombox is the CD loader, the volume button, and the analog tuning, though the display is on the front (on the CD-1095 it's on the top). The CD loader is not pop-up, so you have to put pressure on the loader. I personally like the pop-ups better, considering they last longer and don't require any energy. The volume button is analog as well as the tuner button, not liking that. There is also a folding handle, if your taking it elsewhere than the AC. The boombox as a whole is very easy to use.
The left side of the boombox is a headphone jack, so if you don't want to disturb anyone or you want to listen privately, you can do so. There's also the radio, off, and CD switch (umm...if a boombox didn't have that, the company better be worried). The right side is the AM/FM switch.
The back has an FM antenna. I wish it was longer, as some stations still don't come in clear with it all the way up. The AC cord is also on the back. The battery compartment is on the bottom.
Features...and do I have to say it again? And stuff
I explained the features in the last paragraph, but I will overview them again. It is more than just a CD boombox. There is an AM/FM tuner along with it. There is no cassette deck, something I don't need but others may want. The volume and tuner buttons are analog...which means no presets or perfection. There is a 20-track program and a double repeat feature. I also should add that there is no skip-protection on it. Although this is not needed for a boombox, just adding it as a sidenote. It can be ran on a power cord or 6 "C" batteries. Another sidenote I didn't mention, there is no time when playing a CD, another option I don't really need, but others may want.
I Guess That About Ends It
So, I guess there's not much else to say, but the CD-203 is awesome. Sure, there are other Sonys and Philips that are better, but they cost more. Also, the looks in the picture aren't bad either (imo). So, if you're looking for a low-cost CD-radio boombox, look no further.
