Mine might have been pre Thruster. I have no illusions about superior sound quality tho.
Panasonic Thrusters: How bad are they? Let's find out!
- Thread starter MRX37
- Start date
Mine might have been pre Thruster. I have no illusions about superior sound quality tho.
From my poor beginnings, the Thrusters with the Panasonic all in ones sounded sublime and was out of my price range. I was prolly 2 rungs below with the junker I had (branded ERC), with ceramic cart on a BSR TT. Some of the Panasonic all in one's had magnetic carts, something I had never heard before back in the 70's.
My buddy had a Juliette all in one, I had an ERC all in one, my mom had a console stereo, and my buddy's older brother had the Panasonic all in one with magnetic cart (and cassette!). So the Panasonic was heads and shoulders above everything I'd heard to date. I remember hearing Van Halen's debut album, and the song Running With the Devil on his Thrusters and it was loud and good and of course blew us away with this "new" sound. Never forgot it.
That was a fun video. I enjoyed watching it. Thanks for sharing.
71Challenger
Super Member
Probably good enough for garage or patio use. Add a $10 used receiver ( or $25 chip amp) and a phone or tablet for a source.
I don't understand why some folks get bent out of shape over using low budget gear when appropriate
Excellent point my friend. I still use my 1972 Realistic transistor radio when i go on walks and it does the job just fine.
I also don't remember the Panasonic RA-6600 being at all inexpensive. I think they were fairly pricey, and solidly built, but not huge technical performers. My first was an Empire all-in-one in 4th grade that was crap for I think $60, then I bought a SuperScope 10wpc which was actually excellent though modestly priced (maybe $120?) in probably 6th grade, then an MCS 33-watt probably in 8th grade. All the while, I was in love with the looks of the Panasonic RA-6600, can't remember how much of the fact that I didn't buy one was because of price and how much was because of performance (I think mostly the latter, but I don't think they were cheap back in the day).
Junk Audio
Active Member
actually the smallest pair of thrusters are actually nice sounding. it's the Panasonic Thrusters SB-180, They have a 6 1/2" full range with a passive radiator and are a very nice sounding little pair of speakers.
I happen to love my turbo thrusters! My first speakers as an adult really lol, im new to this audiophile thing but im really starting to get into it. 
Already addicted to trying to find good deals on vintage audio equipment. Like i just got these JBL S38BE's, with a JBL SUB125A and S-Center with a Pioneer VSX-23TXH receiver... and Onkyo SKW-391 sub with 5 satellites? I think thats what theyvd been called. All the small surround speakers lol. Hooking them up now!
Already addicted to trying to find good deals on vintage audio equipment. Like i just got these JBL S38BE's, with a JBL SUB125A and S-Center with a Pioneer VSX-23TXH receiver... and Onkyo SKW-391 sub with 5 satellites? I think thats what theyvd been called. All the small surround speakers lol. Hooking them up now!
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kevintomb
Well-Known Member
I have heard them all over the years, and they were better for sure than bottom of the line "Compact Stereo" speakers, but not quite as good as most entry level "Real" speakers.
They kinda filled the void between the truly junk stuff and the Radio Shack, "Okay to decent" speakers and so on.
Not really meant to compete with Brand name "HiFi" speakers, but not junk either.
Really thin cabinets, as I remember some parts were 1/4" thick and the backs on the smaller models would vibrate like crazy with bass notes. Not much insulation if any on the lower models, and no crossover or VERY simple crossovers if they were larger ones with tweeters.
Honestly, entry level drivers, that were moderately efficient and played decent enough bass in the large boxes they used.
They were great for a teens bedroom, patio, garage,basement and so on.
They kinda filled the void between the truly junk stuff and the Radio Shack, "Okay to decent" speakers and so on.
Not really meant to compete with Brand name "HiFi" speakers, but not junk either.
Really thin cabinets, as I remember some parts were 1/4" thick and the backs on the smaller models would vibrate like crazy with bass notes. Not much insulation if any on the lower models, and no crossover or VERY simple crossovers if they were larger ones with tweeters.
Honestly, entry level drivers, that were moderately efficient and played decent enough bass in the large boxes they used.
They were great for a teens bedroom, patio, garage,basement and so on.
IMHO-the Thrusters where what they were. I heard plenty of them. And Bose. Schaack Omega 300's etc.
Consol stereos etc.
No sense making them anything they weren't-even with the stories.
None of them where hifi-midfi at best.
I think everyone knew that-even teenagers.
Today-why even bother with them would be my question.
The used market is flooded with speakers that are light years sound wise above this at a few bucks more.
Warm and fuzzies?
I get it I suppose.
Speakewise-new Technlogies and modern thinking are worth saving up for IMHO.
Consol stereos etc.
No sense making them anything they weren't-even with the stories.
None of them where hifi-midfi at best.
I think everyone knew that-even teenagers.
Today-why even bother with them would be my question.
The used market is flooded with speakers that are light years sound wise above this at a few bucks more.
Warm and fuzzies?
I get it I suppose.
Speakewise-new Technlogies and modern thinking are worth saving up for IMHO.
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It's a bit late, but Welcome to AK!!
Bill S
Thread Killer
What is your reference point?
Twilks69
Active Member
I have one of the first ones & it came with MCS 683-2500 speakers & a turntable all with the same model number & I don’t care what people think of Thrusters which host the same speaker model numbers but in different arrangements. These HEAVY/SOLID MCS cabinets are something different by means of sound altogether. I have a few pairs of very nice quality speakers & these sound amazing crazy what a better built box housing the same speakers as thrusters is capable of!The Thrusters were not good, but the Parasonic stereos they came packaged with were pretty damn sexy ...
I had a "thing" for them back in the day -- couldn't walk past one in a store without spinning the volume and tone controls to feel the detents. Even as a grade-schooler I knew they didn't sound the best, but I loved the way they looked.
