Offering surprisingly good sound for its diminutive size, the SA10034 portable audio system from Delphi is a terrific way to enjoy your XM satellite radio subscription and MP3 CDs at home or on the go. The system, just 20 inches across, is easy to carry, easy to position, and hard to turn off, thanks to its impressive abilities and engaging performance. The boombox is designed for use with Delphi's SA10000 XM SKYFi radio receiver, but it will operate independently of the receiver for CD playback or analog FM/AM radio reception. Delphi uses a clever pivoting center unit that houses an XM receiver dock on one side and a CD transport/analog tuner on the flip side--just spin it backward or pull it forward to enjoy your desired source. As an XM radio interface, the boombox is first-rate. The XM SKYFi receiver locks in securely and the boombox carry handle is flexible but durable.
We were impressed with the bass output from the system's small, relatively flat speakers, and midrange and treble frequencies sounded smoother and more balanced than expected. We listened with ease for hours at a stretch. The system seems to process stereo signals to make them wider and more spacious than they'd otherwise sound from speakers fixed less than 10 inches apart, but the effect is not unpleasant.
Crucially, the boombox--unlike the XM receiver itself--offers a headphone jack, letting you plug the system into an integrated amplifier or surround receiver for listening through your usual speakers. (A minijack-to-stereo-RCA "Y" adapter cable is not included.) Sound from the headphone jack is not processed for wide stereo. XM navigation, wholly the province of the SA10000 receiver, is terrific, and the remote control supplied with the boombox operates both the boombox and your XM receiver, so you don't need both remotes on hand.
The CD transport appears to have been cheaply integrated, resulting in audible electrical noise whenever a disc is spinning or skipping to a new track. Luckily, discs spin only part of the time--just long enough to load the music into a memory buffer. With MP3 CDs, the buffer will hold a song or more. With audio CDs, however, discs will spin for about a minute, rest for 20 seconds, then commence spinning. If you're listening at a loud level to music that is fairly loud itself, you probably won't notice the noise. But with close or quiet listening to jazz, classical, or folk, the sputtering can be bothersome.
The CD player's LCD shows the number of directories (folders) and the number of tracks on a disc at startup. The display does not permit macro folder/file navigation, so if you don't know the folder and track numbers for the file you want to hear, you'll have to browse by ear or by specific file name as you skip through the tracks (folder names are not displayed).
We experienced occasional audio glitches during MP3 CD playback, even during stable indoor use. Still, it's nice to have the ability to listen to or shuffle through an MP3 CD, especially on the go: just load 6 D batteries, dock an XM receiver, and bring the included XM antenna and a single multihour MP3 CD for fail-safe musical enjoyment.
The boombox's XM's satellite reception is great. Outdoors, maintain clear overhead visibility (don't expect pristine reception under a massive bridge, for instance). Every location will be different, but it's worth noting that, indoors, we encountered no XM radio dropouts or service interruptions during our review period, either with the recommended south-facing antenna position or from an east-facing position used for much of our listening. The signal intensity varied, but reception was always solid. --Michael Mikesell
Pros:
- Remote control operates both the boombox and your XM receiver
- Rugged design, truly portable
- Cool flip-around CD/XM receiver design
- Plays MP3 CDs, includes FM/AM radio
- Excellent tracking of disc playback while unit is in motion
- Surprising amount of bass from small speakers
- Natural-sounding vocals with clear treble reproduction
- Handle offers thermoplastic rubber grip
- Displays file names for MP3 tracks lacking ID3 tags
- Works with rechargeable batteries
Cons:
- Audio CDs are highly susceptible to electrical noise when disc is in motion or changing tracks
- Slow CD track changes while transport gets up to speed
- Occasional stuttering when playing MP3 tracks
- Does not display MP3 folder/directory names
- Volume up/down buttons rather than rotary knob for CD listening
- XM category up/down buttons hard to access on boombox remote
What's in the Box
Boombox, remote control, 2 AAA remote batteries, an XM satellite antenna, an AC power supply, a user's manual, and a quick-start guide..../ Delphi Sa 10034 Skyfi Cd Audio System / 1995 lincoln continental parts
