Panasonic SHOCKWAVE SL-SW870 Personal CD Player
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Panasonic SL-SW870 Portable CD - Kicks Sony's Ass
Pros
Construction, Reliability, Great Sound, Made In Japan
Cons
High Cost, Irritating Headphones
Recommended it?
Yes
Sony used to be the leader in portable discmans about 5 years ago but Panasonic has really made their move in the last 2 years to become the leaders in portable CD players.
Some of the fancy terms as well as marketing hype that you will hear about the Panasonic SL-SW870 include : Shockwave Metal, AntiShock 4.0, Virtual Skip Free, BrainShaker Xtreme, S-XBS, and PowerLast. I am not sure if I can explain what all this means but I can tell you the finish product is more than all the hype they are making it out to be.
Before I start the bulk of the review, I'd just like to say that this is not the cheapest portable CD Player out there. In fact, it is one of the most expensive. With new companies popping up all the time and prices dropping, even I wouldn't spend $200 US buying the SL-SW870. I'm lucky I have nice friends that got me one as a gift. But unless you have money to spare, if you want a CD player to just play as it sits in your office or when you are on public transit, this may not be the CD player for you.
TERMINOLOGY
ShockWave Metal - Shockwave models are designed to be more durable to the outdoor environment as well as supposedly able to withstand more bumping around in your bag, etc. The SL-SW870 is constructed of Aluminum (body) and is water resistant. If you lift up the top lid, you will see rubber seals on the top and bottom edge of the body. When closed, the rubber seals prevent water and moisture from entering. You can actually rinse the cd player and lightly scrub it clean with a cloth if you want to.
The "One Touch Lock & Release" system is a very nice design that gives you confidence that all the bumping and shaking won't inadvertently make the player open (as with the Sony's, there is a sliding switch and a very flimsy hinge that holds the player together). When you push the locking mechanism together, it gives you a nice clicking sound to ensure that it is locked.
AntiShock 4.0 - Antishock 4.0 is the 3rd generation of antishock (II and 3.0 as its predecessor). Basically Antishock 4.0 is a 40 second memory/buffer system that allows for unterinterupted play if the unit is bumped. Antishock 4.0 has improved resistance for horizontal shocks and not just vertical shock. The unit is constantly processing data and correcting it to provide "Virtual Skip Free" sound.
VMSS - Virtual Motion Sound System. This is Panasonic's fancy name for vibrating headphones. Both your CD player and headphones must be VMSS. If not, you will not get the vibrating effect. There is a motor in the headphones that kicks in at a bass signal at about the 50 Hz range. Its supposed to provide a more "emotional" and "physical" sound experience. Thus, the "BrainShaker Xtreme" slogan. On the headphones that are included with the SL-SW870, the motor is found at the base of your neck (note, these headphones are worn with the horseshoe curve on the back of your neck and not the top of your head). On the other VMSS headphones, the motor can be found in the earphones. The SL-SW870 also has a setting for Super Extra Bass (S-XBS).
PowderLast - You are supposed to get 25 hours of playing time with 2 AA Alkaline batteries. I actually can't confirm this cause I don't sit there and time how long I use the CD player every day...hehehe. But I think that I don't get this time cause I have the VMSS and Shockwave on.
PROS of the PANASONIC SL-SW870 PORTABLE CD PLAYER
- Made In Japan. Sony are not.
- Excellent feel. Because of the aluminum construction of both the body and part of the headphones, you get a great feel that this unit is solid and is going to stand up to all the bumps and physical abuses.
- Water resistant and heat resistant. If you place it on the dash of your car or sitting on the beach, because of the aluminum construction, you don't have to worry about it melting or warping (as can be the case in the plastic body models).
- 3 Button Remote on the Headphones that allows you to Play/Pause, skip and rewind. If you have the cd player in your pouch or bag, you don't have to worry about taking it out to control the player.
- Recharging circuitry built in. If you want to buy rechargeable batteries, all you have to do is place them in the unit and plug in the wall adapter that is included. The batteries will recharge within the unit so that you don't need to constantly take them out to recharge.
- Buttons are large and are distance well away from each other. This allows for easy control and control without looking at the unit (once you memorized which button is for what). Controls that are cramped together do not allow for easy access.
- 40 Second Antishock memory is all I need and I think all that most people need. It is long enough to give uninterrupted play during my workouts, walk/jogs, and in the car.
- Great colours available. Black with Silver and Silver with Blue.
- Basic Features. The high price of this unit is justified on its construction as well as its fancy features as explained above. As for operational features, this unit is very basic. Features include Pop Up Disc (when you open the cover, the CD is popped up so that you don' have to worry about warping/bending the CD as you try to get it out), 24 track random access, repeat, auto-off, and random play.
CONS of the SL-SW870
- VMSS. I am not a big fan of the motor in the headphones. I find it quite irritating and gives me headaches. With the S-XBS turned on at the same time, I find alot of rap/dance/hip hop music distorted. I also find that with vocal singers and music without the intention of heavy bass to be ruined with the headphones kickin in at 50 Hz from time to time. I would like to have pre-set equalizer rather than VMSS.
- VMSS Headphone replacement cost is about $40. Everyone wrecks their headphones over time and to get the motorized VMSS headphones replaced is very costly. You can use regular headphones on this model as well.
- Rubber Plugs that cover the headphone jack and power adapter are irritating. They should be plugged closed for protection against rain and rinsing but the rubber plugs tend to warp and tear off over time since the heaphones are plugged in most of the time.
In conclusion, this is one of the best portable CD Players on the market with not much competition out there.
Some of the fancy terms as well as marketing hype that you will hear about the Panasonic SL-SW870 include : Shockwave Metal, AntiShock 4.0, Virtual Skip Free, BrainShaker Xtreme, S-XBS, and PowerLast. I am not sure if I can explain what all this means but I can tell you the finish product is more than all the hype they are making it out to be.
Before I start the bulk of the review, I'd just like to say that this is not the cheapest portable CD Player out there. In fact, it is one of the most expensive. With new companies popping up all the time and prices dropping, even I wouldn't spend $200 US buying the SL-SW870. I'm lucky I have nice friends that got me one as a gift. But unless you have money to spare, if you want a CD player to just play as it sits in your office or when you are on public transit, this may not be the CD player for you.
TERMINOLOGY
ShockWave Metal - Shockwave models are designed to be more durable to the outdoor environment as well as supposedly able to withstand more bumping around in your bag, etc. The SL-SW870 is constructed of Aluminum (body) and is water resistant. If you lift up the top lid, you will see rubber seals on the top and bottom edge of the body. When closed, the rubber seals prevent water and moisture from entering. You can actually rinse the cd player and lightly scrub it clean with a cloth if you want to.
The "One Touch Lock & Release" system is a very nice design that gives you confidence that all the bumping and shaking won't inadvertently make the player open (as with the Sony's, there is a sliding switch and a very flimsy hinge that holds the player together). When you push the locking mechanism together, it gives you a nice clicking sound to ensure that it is locked.
AntiShock 4.0 - Antishock 4.0 is the 3rd generation of antishock (II and 3.0 as its predecessor). Basically Antishock 4.0 is a 40 second memory/buffer system that allows for unterinterupted play if the unit is bumped. Antishock 4.0 has improved resistance for horizontal shocks and not just vertical shock. The unit is constantly processing data and correcting it to provide "Virtual Skip Free" sound.
VMSS - Virtual Motion Sound System. This is Panasonic's fancy name for vibrating headphones. Both your CD player and headphones must be VMSS. If not, you will not get the vibrating effect. There is a motor in the headphones that kicks in at a bass signal at about the 50 Hz range. Its supposed to provide a more "emotional" and "physical" sound experience. Thus, the "BrainShaker Xtreme" slogan. On the headphones that are included with the SL-SW870, the motor is found at the base of your neck (note, these headphones are worn with the horseshoe curve on the back of your neck and not the top of your head). On the other VMSS headphones, the motor can be found in the earphones. The SL-SW870 also has a setting for Super Extra Bass (S-XBS).
PowderLast - You are supposed to get 25 hours of playing time with 2 AA Alkaline batteries. I actually can't confirm this cause I don't sit there and time how long I use the CD player every day...hehehe. But I think that I don't get this time cause I have the VMSS and Shockwave on.
PROS of the PANASONIC SL-SW870 PORTABLE CD PLAYER
- Made In Japan. Sony are not.
- Excellent feel. Because of the aluminum construction of both the body and part of the headphones, you get a great feel that this unit is solid and is going to stand up to all the bumps and physical abuses.
- Water resistant and heat resistant. If you place it on the dash of your car or sitting on the beach, because of the aluminum construction, you don't have to worry about it melting or warping (as can be the case in the plastic body models).
- 3 Button Remote on the Headphones that allows you to Play/Pause, skip and rewind. If you have the cd player in your pouch or bag, you don't have to worry about taking it out to control the player.
- Recharging circuitry built in. If you want to buy rechargeable batteries, all you have to do is place them in the unit and plug in the wall adapter that is included. The batteries will recharge within the unit so that you don't need to constantly take them out to recharge.
- Buttons are large and are distance well away from each other. This allows for easy control and control without looking at the unit (once you memorized which button is for what). Controls that are cramped together do not allow for easy access.
- 40 Second Antishock memory is all I need and I think all that most people need. It is long enough to give uninterrupted play during my workouts, walk/jogs, and in the car.
- Great colours available. Black with Silver and Silver with Blue.
- Basic Features. The high price of this unit is justified on its construction as well as its fancy features as explained above. As for operational features, this unit is very basic. Features include Pop Up Disc (when you open the cover, the CD is popped up so that you don' have to worry about warping/bending the CD as you try to get it out), 24 track random access, repeat, auto-off, and random play.
CONS of the SL-SW870
- VMSS. I am not a big fan of the motor in the headphones. I find it quite irritating and gives me headaches. With the S-XBS turned on at the same time, I find alot of rap/dance/hip hop music distorted. I also find that with vocal singers and music without the intention of heavy bass to be ruined with the headphones kickin in at 50 Hz from time to time. I would like to have pre-set equalizer rather than VMSS.
- VMSS Headphone replacement cost is about $40. Everyone wrecks their headphones over time and to get the motorized VMSS headphones replaced is very costly. You can use regular headphones on this model as well.
- Rubber Plugs that cover the headphone jack and power adapter are irritating. They should be plugged closed for protection against rain and rinsing but the rubber plugs tend to warp and tear off over time since the heaphones are plugged in most of the time.
In conclusion, this is one of the best portable CD Players on the market with not much competition out there.
