1982 Panasonic RX-5150 Boombox

[@aronkaspar6369]

This boombox was featured in John Carpenter's The Thing with Kurt Russell 1982

[@zulumax1]

Listening to it's brother, the RX-5250. Owned it since new in 1982, cleaned, aligned, and lubed, working very well indeed. Original belts still holding up.

[@rizwanarasheed]

This is an excellent demonstration and video.

[@scotthullinger4684]

I have this exact boom box which has almost been used to death, but it still going strong today.

[@donaldcollins257]

I loved mine! Carried it everywhere

[@edledford8019]

I had one of these back in the day. Took 8xD batteries, and when you put it on ambient sound, wow, sucked the batteries dry, but what an incredible sound! With my girlfriend, laid in the sun at the pool and listened to the likes of Queen's Hot Space, Def Leppard, Journey, all sorts of great--and unmatchable--80's sounds. Wow. Would love to go back to those perfect days.

[@johnhubbard6252]

Had this exact box in High School. It’s very SOUL wants to play Van Halen’s ‘Fair Warning’ album. Stop torturing it with Jazz :)

[@atco21117]

That's one of the best boomboxes to have. Very, very nice Dan! -- Atco

[@DanOConnorTech]

Yes, it's a keeper, Atco. I'm lucky to have found it. Thanks for watching!

[@autisticrebel1253]

That is a beautiful boom box, it is a shame that there is not much equipment made like this in this day and age.

[@klassicjam]

More "bang" for the buck for sure... Love the silver vintage look with all the knobs and switches in the front. Very robust and sounds amazing!

[@brettward1594]

How much were these when they on release date

[@mrflashport]

The 5150 was one of the best boxes of the day. This was from an era where Japanese audio products were at their zenith. That machine is built like a tank and sounds better than any of the cheap plastic China pride garbage being pumped out today.

[@DanOConnorTech]

I read where it was used in John Carpenter's "The Thing." One of the characters was always listening to it while on his roller skates. Maybe early Panasonic movie product placement.

[@ninahowe8230]

My sweet dad bought me one of these when I was really sick as a kid, I loved it so much. Even though I dropped it several times, it never broke!

[@craigsmith8320]

I saw one at an estate sale that had horrible distortion when a tape played; almost like a busy signal on an old AT&T phone line-and the red lights seemed to pulsate along with the noise. I left it, imagining the repair would be too pricey.

[@rcary]

I just got one. How do you remove any age related yellowing? Peroxide and uv?

[@jamesdrake6200]

very nice :) I love the old Panasonic radio / cassette boomboxes from the early 80s. they were beautiful units

[@-NateTheGreat]

I just bought one in very good shape for $50. The only issue is that the tape deck plays about 1/2 to 2/3 the normal speed. I bought it for the radio and Aux in to stream in music via my smart phone. To honor it's life being a boombox of the 80's I only play 80's music on it :)

[@jimmiesmith5811]

Its ether the belts have stretch or the motor needs to be recalibrated that happens when these boys get old

[@harryroger1739]

I BOUGHT THIS DURING HIGH SCHOOL!

[@neverwill8879]

BRO I HAVE SAME BOOMBOX BUT THE MODEL IS DIFFERENT ITS RX5150L....MY DAD BROUGHT THIS WHEN I WAS SMALL KID IN 1987......NOW I'M 32 YEARS AND STILL IT WORKS AWESOME THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO...

[@bb-gc2tx]

I can hear billy squier the stroke just looking at it 😂

[@johnhubbard6252]

Van Halen “UNCHAINED”

[@Lagib28]

I really like that . A very nice unit from the boom box heyday. It must have been quite pricey when new.

[@DanOConnorTech]

I think it was $250 new.

[@larryvandykevandyke1132]

I have one, where can I have it repaired ? cassette doesn't work. had this unit about forty years.

[@muzammalbaig]

Definitely the best. Oh how I miss it. I still have it but it needs refurb. Too sad. Mine was RX5150F with selector switch to turn the audio level meter off or into battery level test.

[@vsmichael1]

I bought one new at 16 years old at best products. 1982. I have a pic me with it but can’t post it. They aren’t woofers, they are full range & those are fake tweeters. No sound comes out of them. It was called the disco50. Lit was $169 new.

[@joeprete7424]

@Dan O'Connor , Have you ever tried Type II (CR02) or Higher Metal Based Tape on this Panasonic RX-5150? If so, hear any Difference?

[@cmj20002]

I used to have the same one and it cranked. It is a nice stereo. I wish I still had it. Mine was in mint condition as I always take care of my things.

[@klassicjam]

Nice video, Dan. Got lucky... Ebay purchase for $102 with $29 shipping about 3 weeks ago. Really nice condition - unbelievable loud clear sound from a smaller boombox (very unexpected). The ONLY thing wrong with it is the "static" from the Volume knob; knowing it has to be cleaned. I'm guessing I have to open the radio up to access this variable resistor that probably has oxidation from it's age from 1982. Question: Is it easy to open and clean?

[@DanOConnorTech]

I've never had much luck taking these large units apart and getting them back together successfully. What I've done for scratchy volume controls is pull the knob off the front and spray control cleaner around inside as thoroughly as possible, replace the knob and work it around. It's not the preferred solution but it works (usually) for me.

[@klassicjam]

@@DanOConnorTech I will try it. Thanks, Dan!

[@SHARPGFX-dc9gj]

It's a beautiful boombox. I have National panasonic RX 1750 radio cassette recorder. My father bought it in the year 1982.

[@brettward1594]

National Panasonic? Is it counterfeit?

[@joeprete7424]

Great Sound, despite it's age!!!

[@fender1000100]

Its sound GREAT BECAUSE OF ITS AGE. Theres a analogue warmth. You get from these BOOMBOXES made between 1976--1982 that was lost later.

[@gamerdad1101]

Just got one today and so cool. Need antenna which no problem but need a battery door missing? Anywhere can I get it

[@bukeksiansu2112]

5150 it's like Van Halen album

[@ownerfate]

I am trying to repair mine, The radio doesn't pick up any FM or AM bands, but the Tape, Aux and Record work. I was thinking it may be a bad connection somewhere, but i don't know where i would start. ( I have the same model as you, the RX-5150. ) I'm thinking it may need to be adjusted, but i'll keep at it.

[@DanOConnorTech]

If I remember right mine was like that first. It turns out that the problem was the actual switch going from AM to FM. It was loosey-goosey and needed cleaning. Once I sprayed cleaner on it and worked it back and forth a few hundred times I got reception. It couldn't hurt to try it.

[@ownerfate]

@@DanOConnorTech thanks, I'll give that a try when I get back to my shop tomorrow, yeah can't hurt to try. Side note: routing the string for the dial to the tuner is a nightmare (it's fixed, but it was a pain...lol)

[@ownerfate]

@@DanOConnorTech followup on the the speaker, that was a good deal of the issue, I found that something had blown, and I replaced it.

[@feltongailey8987]

I sure love mine. The only way I would sell it, is if I found a fantastic price for a pair of them!

[@FIREFLY071]

Hey Dan - Very good video. I just happened upon one of those today and purchased it. I love it, although the volume knob renders scratchy sounds under '2' on the volume meter but even with that, this is 0ver thirty years old and it sounds great, to me. I love the ambience function. I am very happy to have found this. I'm wondering what kind of cleaner you used to blast the controls. Also, what did you use to clean the 'body' without drying the plastic out. I love my boombox====

[@DanOConnorTech]

I used a contact cleaner called DeOxit for the controls but any brand name contact cleaner should do the job. I used a polisher Novus #2 for the case.

[@FIREFLY071]

@@DanOConnorTech Thank you

[@_Ramen-Vac_]

some of the last really good boxes which were reasonably-priced. .. for my wealthier friends anyhow :P

[@donsolaris8477]

No manual tape record level adjustment like RX 5500. I like the "Ambience" feature though.

[@marvinwhittaker3782]

my uncle had a radio just like this one,the exact model

[@nizarkp1]

How can I buy this type radios

[@mhdabdsam1925]

Pl contact me in 8111878254. Am in procession of Rx 5150 & 5350

[@t-tech6730]

What is its prise

[@mhdabdsam1925]

Am in procession of a national Panasonic rx5350 and is under repairs. It is in need of the radio part ( a post card size ie. if & rf stage) bearing no. RUP 1522 ZA. If you are in a position to supply the item please let me know the prize and shipping charges. And if you are not in n a position pl let me know from where I can get it. With kind regards

[@POWERMAXUM]

My dad Still owns that radio Its kinda Worn Out tough

[@styles_orama4734]

I had this EXACT ONE.

[@welcometomychannelswelcome7261]

When you recorded put low volume. And when you played back. The highest volume would come.

[@muralinair1426]

I need this item

[@mhdabdsam1925]

Pl contact me 8111878254. I am in procession of Rx 5350 & 5150

[@techmaester]

Interesting about the lazy Susan...it just so happens a movie with this name released today, April 3. Too bad no one can see it in theaters, closed, with this coronavirus going round the globe in 2👁/2👁.

[@Badassvidsz]

Nice