Panasonic SL-SW880 Brainshaker X-Treme Portable CD Player (Silver and Blue)

Panasonic SL-SW880 Brainshaker X-Treme Portable CD Player (Silver and Blue)
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Product Type: CE

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com Review
The Panasonic SL-SW880 is a snazzy blue-and-silver-toned portable CD player offering most of the features we've come to expect from a unit of this size and price. Panasonic is paying attention to what's important in a portable CD unit: durability, lengthy (40-second) antishock protection, a hand strap and grip, a behind-the-neck headband with secure earpieces, and of course, bass boost.

To combat the all-too-common problem of headphones falling off or earpieces coming out while you're walking or jogging, this model employs a behind-the-neck headband with secure earpieces that did not budge unless we shook like a wet dog. Another great feature is the remote-control panel built into the headband. This way, if you've tucked the unit away in a coat pocket or travel bag, you can still adjust the volume, skip tracks, and turn the player off or on.

The control buttons are not hypersensitive, which prevents accidental activation of controls, while the tension and positioning of the volume thumbwheel work in tandem to prevent unwanted volume changes. This unit is easy and comfortable to hold in one hand--ideal for active use--with a locking door that easily opens and closes and a hand strap with a rubber mold fashioned to accommodate three fingers. And, we're pleased to report, the 40-second antishock protection works better than any we've seen in similar players.

Along with the standard random and repeat play, 24-track programming, hold button (to lock all controls), auto shutoff, and preset low-end EQ or bass boost, Panasonic has added its proprietary VMSS (Virtual Motion Sound System). When engaged, a medallion attached to the middle of the headband vibrates. This vibration is triggered by low frequencies like bass lines or a kick drum, and was probably invented to simulate the "drum & bass" club atmosphere that can move the hairs on the back of your neck. Although it's inventive and will probably appeal to many young electronic music lovers, we found the effect to be distracting after a few minutes.

Headphone quality is satisfactory, but we have doubts about the reported 20-to-20,000 Hz frequency response. There's a nice, round fullness to good headphone delivery that is not quite achieved here. The earpieces could use another layer of padding or extra cushioning, while some distortion can be detected with tracks containing heavy bass and drumbeats.

Durable and user-friendly, the Panasonic SL-SW880 is a workhorse of a portable CD player for the active listener. It accommodates the traveler with excellent antishock resistance and efficient control design. You'll find yourself grabbing for it as habitually as your house keys! --Zoë Knight

Pros:

Durable
Innovative headphone design
Conducive to physical activity
Excellent 40-second antishock protection

Cons:

Ineffective VMSS (Virtual Motion Sound System)
Average headphone sound quality
Not MP3 compatible

Amazon.com Product Description
This is a durable portable CD player designed for jogging, walking, and other strenuous activities. Its assortment of features includes bass boost, programming of up to 24 tracks, a dual-lock system for the disc lid, and a built-in battery recharger. The SLSW870 is also water and heat resistant so your CDs and the system are protected. It sports a "hold" feature that prevents the user from unintentionally turning the player on and draining the batteries or accidentally hitting "stop" in the middle of a track.

The headphones have a special built-in amplifier in the main unit that picks up and boosts the bass signal around the 50 Hz range. A Virtual Motion Sound System (VMSS) transforms bass signals into vibrations. This allows you to actually feel the vibration of the bass signals. The remote control is built into the headphones for easy access while on the go.

Since the SLSW870 was designed for rugged activity, the most important feature is the antiskip function. It stores up to 40 seconds of data in its memory buffer to fill in the gaps caused by bumps and vibrations. This player comes with a handgrip so you can hold it while jogging. Aside from these features, all the basics are covered as well. The SLSW870 includes repeat of one or all tracks, skip/search, memory/recall keys, and 24-track random-access programming.