JVC RV-DP200 Cassette/CD Boombox

This review is for those interested in older boomboxes which can be found on the internet, ebay, etc. Many times, descriptions of such older models are inadequate, misinformed or misleading.

The RVDP200 and 100 models are sister units which are virtually the same. The 200 unit features a VU type meter which consists of a couple of left/right LEDs which visually indicate the audio level. The 100 model does NOT have this feature. The LEDs are located just under the front panel controls and may only be seen when the unit is playing. The RVDP200 also has a type of pitch control or sound effect control on top of the unit which the 100 model did not have. I do not recall this feature as being of any real importance. Otherwise, all other features are identical, including the sound.

These units feature a top loading CD player with basic programming functions. The CD player sounds fine, and usually can play burned CDs. These units can NOT read MP3 or other encoded formats. The CD lid locks into place via a knob.

These units have a cassette deck. It is a single cassette unit. You can copy from the CD or radio onto a cassette tape. There is NO Dolby noise reduction. The deck features high-bias, meaning it can record and playback chrome (CrO2) tapes properly. These decks also feature electronic controls, which I think handles the tape better and is operable via the remote control. These decks also feature auto-reverse, which means the tape direction will switch automatically at the end. This will work in playback and record modes. The tape deck operates quietly and has decent specs for a boombox deck.

The radio is digital with basic functions.

All functions can be operated via the remote control.

There is a separate subwoofer volume control which can adjust the bass level by one of 6 levels.

There is a MID/HIGH control which is similar to a simple bass/treble control and allows a boost or cut of several dB in both the midrange and highs.

There is NO ACS. ACS is JVC's circuitry which supposedly continuously adjusts the midrange and treble range so that it sounds clean and balanced with the bass output. It is claimed to continuously monitor the sound and adjust the mids and highs accordingly. An LED will blink to visually show it is working and how often it is working. Many sites and sellers claim these units have ACS. ACS is found on some of the KABOOM box models, as these are called. But, it is NOT found on either the RVDP200 and 100 models.

These models feature powerful amplifiers. There are separate amps for the front full-range speakers and the side firing subwoofers. The set-up is similar to a 2.1 sound system.

The front speaker amps are rated 6 watts/channel RMS. The subwoofer amps are rated 20 watts/channel RMS. Please note these are RMS and not PEAK ratings. These boomboxes, along with all of the KABOOM box line, are probably the most powerful of all boomboxes.

The front speakers are approx 3 inches. They are cloth roll high compliance type. They are loaded into separate internal sub-enclosures. These sub-enclosures should help with stereo imaging and keep the front speakers safe from the internal pressure created by the subwoofers.

The subs are dual side firing 6 1/2 inch woofers. They are of good quality, especially for a boombox. They are heavy paper cones with large rubber roll surrounds. Also, they feature a large voice coil and a weighted disc which lowers the speaker's resonant frequency. That translates into lower bass tones. The subs are loaded into small left/right enclosures which are ported via winding bass-tubes. The ported enclosure also helps tune the bass enclosure for a more extended bass.

The unit is carried via a strap which attaches to the hinges on the top. A pocket in the strap can carry the remote control.

The remote control is small on these units. Newer versions of the KABOOM box feature a slightly larger remote. The remote will control virtually all of the boombox functions in CD, Tape or Radio mode.

These units also featured sound effect and electronic drum pad controls. I never found much use for them. They were eliminated in later models.

I think you can plug in a guitar and use it as a guitar amp. How advisable that is I cannot say. Playing a real instrument through this type of system may place a strain on it. Musical instrument amps are built to different specs than audio amps for music playback.

PROS AND CONS:
These models have very powerful sound. They can fill a large room or garage with sound comparable to a shelf audio system. They can play loud enough to disturb the neighbors. Bass output is excellent.

However, the sound is not all good. Bass can sound awfully boomy. Sometimes it is hard to find a subwoofer level and tonal adjustment that sounds right, in my opinion. If the MID control is turned UP, the speakers can sometimes exhibit distortion. That's because too much bass is then sent to the small front speakers. Highs can sound shrill (they did to me). This is typical JVC sound, I think. Highs seem to be forced sometimes, or overbearing. It can sound fuzzy or slightly distorted.

Stereo imaging is poor. Unless you are directly in front of the unit, at close range, you cannot hear any stereo. That was a big disappointment for me. From even a few feet away, it almost sounds like you're listening to a monophonic system.

Weight can be a problem. The strap makes it hard to carry easily. I'd prefer a small center handle of some sort.

The display is easy to read. The characters are fairly large. The back lighting is yellow. I prefer it over the blue lighting of newer models. There is better contrast on these older units.

If you are in the market for one of these units, you may want to consider the newer KABOOM box models, such as the RVNB1, RVNB10 and the RVNB20. I had one of these. I can attest to the fact that they sound very similar, with virtually identical amplifier outputs and speakers. Some of these newer versions of the KABOOM box are even compatible with MP3 and other formats, possibly including IPODs or PC downloads. On some of the newer models, I believe the cassette deck has been eliminated.

KABOOM boxes by JVC are probably some of the most powerful boomboxes ever made. There were a couple of older boomboxes which claimed higher output or higher output with less distortion, but they were usually ac only units, meaning they could not operate via batteries.

On the downside, don't expect your 10 D batteries to last long with this kind of power. There was an optional 12 volt adapter which could be plugged into your car's cig-lighter or 'auxillary' output as it's now called. Sometimes you can find these accessories on the internet. Newer models may still incorporate this feature. If they do, it is possible their adapter may work with the older units. You'd have to check the outputs on the adapter or contact JVC.

The ACS circuitry has not died. It is on some older KABOOM boxes and is also in some newer ones. To me, it sounds 'processed'. It sometimes makes the music sound as though it is going 'in and out'. It is not a perfect solution. You may like it or hate it. I don't care for it overall.

52 watts RMS total output. That's alot. Many boomboxes only consume 20 or 30 watts. In turn, they may output 5 or 10 watts per channel. And that output might be PEAK, not RMS.

You really can't get a more powerful boombox than a KABOOM box, whether it is one of these models, or one of the older or newer versions. The basic design and circuitry has stayed the same over the years. On newer versions, the cassette has been given up to make way for newer forms of music storage such as compressed CD recordings, MP3, IPOD and computer hook-ups.