Back in the early '80s, the size of one’s ghetto-blaster was directly proportionate to social standing. The larger the boombox strapped to your shoulder, the greater your cred.
Spinal injuries aside, it was a good system, it worked, and inner city blocks would be overrun with dudes carrying ridiculously large stereos as part of an elaborate mating ritual. Some David Attenborough type isht.
While the current crop of smart phones and miniature MP3 players means you can take several lifetimes worth of music anywhere you go, the technology lacks showboating appeal. Walking around the block with headphones in your ears just isn’t as effective at attracting the opposite sex as doing that Fat Albert walk while blasting LL Cool J’s
Jiggling Baby (the remix) at ear destroying volume.
TDK understand this and have re-launched the ghetto blaster. Available in two models (one with a dedicated sub-woofer), the TDK Boombox is compatible with all your fancy USB, MP3, iPod inputs, features a mix of digital and analog inputs and a pleasingly old school graphic equalizer. Also, shoulder straps – in case your arms get tired. Launching in early 2011, the two models come in at $400 and $500.