Features:
- Streamlined design
- Flat-loading CD player
- 3 program modes
- Full-function cassette deck
- AM/FM stereo tuner
Description:
With its unique design, easy portability, and CD/cassette/radio features, the Audiovox CE216 flat-panel boombox is a great all-around boombox choice for people on the go. Sleek enough to fit almost anywhere, the CE216 provides solid sound quality and versatility, all at a price that won't break the bank. Out of the box, the unit's flattened look first catches your attention: 5.7 inches high when laying flat (it can also be used in an upright position, which brings its height to 9.25 inches) and weighing in at a mere 4.8 pounds, this unit is a suitable companion for travel and activities such as a long road trip, a picnic in the park, or simply a trip between the kitchen and the living room. Its basic features are also very easy to control, rounding out the CE216's convenience factor. The CD player features programming options that allow you to make your own track arrangements, repeat modes that let you repeat a track, a program of tracks or an entire disc, and a handy little feature called CD intro scan, which lets you sample the first few seconds of each track on a compact disc. CDs are easy to load and unload through the nonlocking manual port, which, in addition to being easy to manipulate, is constructed of clear plastic for convenient viewing of loaded CDs. The large LED shows track numbers and programming information clearly, while the function keys allow for skipping back and forth between tracks (although it should be noted that fast-forward and reverse within a track is not a provided option). The cassette player lets you play and record cassettes from the CD player or radio and features an auto stop, which turns off the unit once a tape is finished--perfect for falling asleep to your favorite cassette. The audio components are what one would expect from a unit in this price range. A 1-bit digital-to-analog converter improves small signal linearity to provide pure reproduction of the original sound recorded on a CD, and 8x oversampling combines phase linearity with suppression of digital noise, resulting in better and more natural sound and imaging. However, despite these features, the unit falls short in overall sound quality in the areas of bass performance (no bass boost) and speaker quality. Another weak point we discovered comes while listening at low levels--a whining can be heard from the CD mechanism. Overall, we found the Audiovox CE216 to be a user-friendly, easy-to-live-with unit that provides all the basics necessary for audio enjoyment. Whether you're in a dorm room, office, kitchen, or garage, this boombox will bring you hours of listening and recording fun without getting in the way. And for people on a relatively low home entertainment budget, it could very well be the only audio unit required. Audiovox offers a 90-day limited warranty on parts and labor. --Ed Noble Pros - Slim and light--easy to carry and store
- Easy-to-manipulate program features
- Record from CD or radio to cassette
- Inexpensive
Cons - Whining sound at low volume levels
- No fast-forward or rewind for CDs
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