Rating: 
Summary: Good sound, basic features
Review: After I've done a lot of research I finally bought this boombox.
What's true about it is that it sounds very good, better than I expected.On the other hand, the remote is pretty useless. You cannot change between cd/tuner/tape, you cannot control the tape at all. You cannot turn the boombox off.
That was disappointing.
As other reviewers already said, the display does not have backlight.
Because of the standard controls it's hard to play the tenth (just an example) song on a cd. You don't have numbers on the remote and you have to press next ten times. Conclusion: If you want a classic boombox with an excellent sound (of course, for its class), go for it. If you want something with extra features and more comfort for you, try something else (for example, Panasonic RX-ES25). That's if you still want a boombox... :)
Rating: 
Summary: Where to find this boombox?
Review: Bought this unit for use on the patio; had a remote control, 14 watts RMS and didn't look like a Ninja Turtle toy. In use, I discovered that it also had a terrific FM tuner and GREAT audio quality; I listen to classical music and it sounds poorly on most portable CD players, but on this model it is clean and full, not boomy or harsh. In comparing it to a much touted (and advertised) stereo table radio, the Philips had a better tuner and better balanced sound; the aforementioned four letter name table radio cost three times as much and lacked a CD player! So the table radio went on eBay and now this Philips portable does double duty inside AND on the patio. Impressive product.
Rating: 
Summary: MORE than I bargained for
Review: Bought this unit for use on the patio; had a remote control, 14 watts RMS and didn't look like a Ninja Turtle toy. In use, I discovered that it also had a terrific FM tuner and GREAT audio quality; I listen to classical music and it sounds poorly on most portable CD players, but on this model it is clean and full, not boomy or harsh. In comparing it to a much touted (and advertised) stereo table radio, the Philips had a better tuner and better balanced sound; the aforementioned four letter name table radio cost three times as much and lacked a CD player! So the table radio went on eBay and now this Philips portable does double duty inside AND on the patio. Impressive product.
Rating:
Summary: Great Looking CD Player/Boombox
Review: I bought this for my son for graduation and he loves it! It is the first thing I have ever picked out for him that he thought was cool! It has a really unique look to it and the kids all like it. It sounds terrific too. Now if I could just get him to play some Eagles or Fleetwood Mac I'd really be happy!
Rating:
Summary: It plays CD/R too!
Review: I burn my own CD's and this boombox plays them all!! Has a great sound in all modes. The remote control is VERY handy. My only complaint is "where is this backlight it is supposed to have?" I still think that this is the best boombox out there.
Rating:
Summary: NOW I KNOW WHAT PHILIPS MEANT WITH "BACKLIT LCD"
Review: I finally received an email reply from Philips' Service Dept. regarding this "Backlit LCD controversy." The backlit LCD is said to ONLY WORK IN THE STEREO 'DEMO' MODE. In other words, it appears to be just an advertising gimmick that won't let you see your radio station choices or CD tracks in lights, as you might be led to believe. Compared to the AZ202517 though, this unit appears (in my opinion) to be more attractive to the eye. I really DO NOT like the idea of cloth grill covers on a "portable" boombox though. That ingenuity seems a bit fragile for a unit that is subjected to be readily moved, carried and/or transported openly to and from indoor/outdoor environments and activities. Its only other major difference from the AZ202517, that I can readily see, is that the AZ203517 has "Ultra Bass Boost", whereby the AZ202517 has "Digital Bass Boost." If you look at the controls for both of these boomboxes, they appear to be identical. Wish I knew what the differences were (besides the wording of these features) or if they amount to much in terms of listening pleasure. The woofers and tweeters appear to be the same size, just placed differently. The power ratings appear the same. I'm just not terribly satisfied by Philips' advertising techniques regarding the backlit LCD issue. I'm sure they could have done much better with that attempt. With the great sounds and tuner strengths (Philips boombox products have impressed me in picking up radio stations from further away, with greater clarity, than many other "top of the line" audio products), one would think that they could have at least clarified this "backlit LCD" advertisement as a relatively useless feature to their potential purchaser(s).
Rating:
Summary: NOW I KNOW WHAT PHILIPS MEANT WITH "BACKLIT LCD"
Review: I finally received an email reply from Philips' Service Dept. regarding this "Backlit LCD controversy." The backlit LCD is said to ONLY WORK IN THE STEREO 'DEMO' MODE. In other words, it appears to be just an advertising gimmick that won't let you see your radio station choices or CD tracks in lights, as you might be led to believe. Compared to the AZ202517 though, this unit appears (in my opinion) to be more attractive to the eye. I really DO NOT like the idea of cloth grill covers on a "portable" boombox though. That ingenuity seems a bit fragile for a unit that is subjected to be readily moved, carried and/or transported openly to and from indoor/outdoor environments and activities. Its only other major difference from the AZ202517, that I can readily see, is that the AZ203517 has "Ultra Bass Boost", whereby the AZ202517 has "Digital Bass Boost." If you look at the controls for both of these boomboxes, they appear to be identical. Wish I knew what the differences were (besides the wording of these features) or if they amount to much in terms of listening pleasure. The woofers and tweeters appear to be the same size, just placed differently. The power ratings appear the same. I'm just not terribly satisfied by Philips' advertising techniques regarding the backlit LCD issue. I'm sure they could have done much better with that attempt. With the great sounds and tuner strengths (Philips boombox products have impressed me in picking up radio stations from further away, with greater clarity, than many other "top of the line" audio products), one would think that they could have at least clarified this "backlit LCD" advertisement as a relatively useless feature to their potential purchaser(s).
Rating: 
Summary: Big sound for small price
Review: I just got this and it sounds great. My wife has a Phillips boombox that I really liked but she wouldn't share it with me. So I got my own. For the price you get a great sound, no distortion in higher volumes, clean, crisp, good bass. If you're looking for a solid quality boombox that's a good buy, this is the one for you. "Backlit LCD" is misleading because it's not backlit (only in demo mode, or something) and should not be advertised as such, so 4 stars otherwise 5.
Rating:
Summary: Big sound for small price
Review: I just got this and it sounds great. My wife has a Phillips boombox that I really liked but she wouldn't share it with me. So I got my own. For the price you get a great sound, no distortion in higher volumes, clean, crisp, good bass. If you're looking for a solid quality boombox that's a good buy, this is the one for you. "Backlit LCD" is misleading because it's not backlit (only in demo mode, or something) and should not be advertised as such, so 4 stars otherwise 5.
Rating:
Summary: Great Buy
Review: I received my boombox today and I was wonderfully surprised. For the price I wasn't expecting much, but what I got was great. The sound is awesome. I am so impressed. I am thrilled. As you can see I really like this product and am very glad I purchased it. I recommend that you don't pass this one up, it is a very worthwhile purchase. Way to go Amazon.com!!!
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