Panasonic RQSW88V Shockwave Personal Stereo

Rating:
Summary: after 15 years, quality is worse, not better
Review: I recently purchased the RQSW88V after I dropped my 15-year old Aiwa HS-T65 once too often. I listen to jazz and classical music, and thus depend on the nearest NPR FM stations in Boston, 45 miles from where I live. If I stand still and position the RQSW88V just right, I can barely hear the stations, but static is overpowering. Obviously, the purpose in owning a portable is to use it on the move, not stand still like a scarecrow. The normal/city switch doesn't help, and there is no FM mono switch, which would help clear up the static. The headphone wire (i.e., the FM antenna) is not the problem, as I have three excellent sets of headphones and tried them all. The audio quality of the RQSW88V is good except that on the default setting the bass is a bit lacking. Unfortunately, when you turn on the S-XBS bass, the bass is overpowering, tubby, and unnatural. There is no belt-clip. There is no clock. There are no controls to adjust for different kinds of tape. In other respects, the unit is ok. In contrast, my 15-year old Aiwa pulls in the Boston stations, has separate treble, mid-range, and bass controls, an FM stereo-mono switch, a Dolby switch, a metal/CrO2 switch, a removable belt-clip, and a clock. Before buying the RQSW88V, I searched the web and supposedly the RQSW88V is a top of the line product. Although electronics products quality and value have improved immensely in the last 15 years, the RQSW88V is clearly going in the opposite direction. I am greatly disappointed and would be furious except that I bought the unit for $50. At $119, it deserves to be discontinued. I have seen from other reviews that the RQSW99 is the same as the RQSW88 except that the RQSW99 has brain-shaker bass. I recommend these units only for people who want to have their brains shaken.

Rating:
Summary: after 15 years, quality is worse, not better
Review: I recently purchased the RQSW88V after I dropped my 15-year old Aiwa HS-T65 once too often. I listen to jazz and classical music, and thus depend on the nearest NPR FM stations in Boston, 45 miles from where I live. If I stand still and position the RQSW88V just right, I can barely hear the stations, but static is overpowering. Obviously, the purpose in owning a portable is to use it on the move, not stand still like a scarecrow. The normal/city switch doesn't help, and there is no FM mono switch, which would help clear up the static. The headphone wire (i.e., the FM antenna) is not the problem, as I have three excellent sets of headphones and tried them all. The audio quality of the RQSW88V is good except that on the default setting the bass is a bit lacking. Unfortunately, when you turn on the S-XBS bass, the bass is overpowering, tubby, and unnatural. There is no belt-clip. There is no clock. There are no controls to adjust for different kinds of tape. In other respects, the unit is ok. In contrast, my 15-year old Aiwa pulls in the Boston stations, has separate treble, mid-range, and bass controls, an FM stereo-mono switch, a Dolby switch, a metal/CrO2 switch, a removable belt-clip, and a clock. Before buying the RQSW88V, I searched the web and supposedly the RQSW88V is a top of the line product. Although electronics products quality and value have improved immensely in the last 15 years, the RQSW88V is clearly going in the opposite direction. I am greatly disappointed and would be furious except that I bought the unit for $50. At $119, it deserves to be discontinued. I have seen from other reviews that the RQSW99 is the same as the RQSW88 except that the RQSW99 has brain-shaker bass. I recommend these units only for people who want to have their brains shaken.