The <a class="wiki" href="Sony" rel="">Sony</a> FH 3 through FH-7 series boomboxes are very powerful mini component systems. The FH-7 lineup is the most powerful of the 3. This remarkable system is quite possibly one of the most powerful of boomboxes. It can get so loud that those with sensitive hearing may find it difficult to even approach the unit to turn down the volume when it is cranked up too far. It can be considered a 3-piece boombox as the speakers detach from the center section. However, the center section itself is composed of 4-units assembled with brackets and a quick detachable handle so you might even say it is a 6-piece box. However, the more appropriate description is probably portable mini component system, as it truly has the power of a home component system, yet is portable owing to a carry handle and being able to assemble quickly. As supplied from the factory, the base unit requires AC power. However, an optional DC power pack is available which replaces the bottom amp section to include the use of (TWELVE) D-cell batteries! and a built in amplifier appropriate for the new DC power. While it is portable in that you can carry it from spot to spot, the weight of this combo is probably too much to do much more with this setup than that. It's like carrying a cinder block (or two) with handles. If you could throw this, it could really do some damage to whatever unlucky object is in it's flight path.
- The FH-7 series also comes in the Mk-1, Mk-II, and Mk-III, and they were sold in either black or silver color. We have seen red colored ones which apparently were sold only in Japan. While they all look similar, there are some differences.
- The Mk-1 model has 2-way speaker system with round drivers. The speaker grill has an opaque foam insert that disguises the round driver to make it look square. It is not a true square driver. Also the graphic equalizer is not lit.
- The Mk-2 model also has 2-way speaker system but with flat APM square woofers. These are true square drivers and because square drivers use up the full area occupied by the L x W dimensions, as opposed to round drivers whose radius area is wasted, these drivers are supposed to be equivalent to larger speakers than the equivalent sized round drivers. The Mk-II also includes led lit equalizer slider tips which adds to the aesthetic appeal, especially when lit.
The Mk-III is probably the most refined of the 3 with a 3-way speaker system instead of the two ways offered in the Mk-1 and Mk-II series models. Otherwise it is pretty much the same as the Mk-II setup.
How does this model compare to other similar 3-piece models? For comparison reference, while the Telefunken Studio 1 has frequently been quoted as being a strong powerful boombox, the Sony FH-7 is a whole nother animal. It literally blows the telefunken out of the water.
(First image above courtesy of Chordeater)
