This is the rare Lasonic CDX-931, most likely from the early 1990’s. It’s got a top mounted CD player as well as dual cassettes. It’s a strange looking model and is very roundish. As one commenter put it, “It looks like a loaf of bread.”
Lasonic is the product model and former trademark of a number of electronics, including boomboxes made from the mid-1980s to mid-1990s by Yung Fu Electrical Appliances based in Tainan City, Taiwan. Lasonic Electronics Corporation started its portable audio business in 1978, and the “LASONiC” trademark was renewed and re-renewed in 2011.
The 931 Lineage
The CDX-931 is essentially the 4th generation of the TRC-931 with same chassis and overall design, but updated with a CD player added to the top panel. Lasonic kept the rounded corners introduced in the 3rd generation and retained the signature look (chrome grills, dual telescoping antennas, big woofers with tweeter caps) while simply upgrading the playback technology to keep up with the CD era. It’s essentially the same boombox, evolved.
The 931’s evolution went through at least 7 distinct editions, lasting from the 80s all the way until 2015.
1st edition: LEDs on right; 2nd edition(s): LEDs on left, dual antenna, various decal variations; 3rd edition: Dual cassette, rounded box corners; 4th edition: CDX-931 – dual cassette, CD player, rounded corners; 5th edition: i931 iPod dock; 6th edition: i931x iPod and iPod touch dock; 7th edition: i931Bx iPod and iPod touch dock with Bluetooth.
Features & Specs
The CDX-931 builds on the TRC-931’s and included:
Two woofers and possibly two tweeters, dual cassette decks, two telescoping antennas, ALC search, auto stop and auto reverse, a beat switch, built-in condenser mic and mic input, tape counter, RCA connections, loudness button, phono input, mix volume control, headphone jack, LED VU and output power indicators, balance control, tape selector, and a 5-band equalizer. Some CDX-931’s that have been opened up have no tweeters under the silver caps. It’s possible the tweeter grills and caps are just for looks and there aren’t actually any tweeters in the CDX-931.
The CDX-931 also features an LBS (Low Bass Switch) button to increase bass, and preset EQ settings including Jazz, Rock, and Classic. It does not have line in/ line out or a phono in.
Styling
The CDX-931 carries the signature Lasonic look that made the 931 family iconic. It offered the flashy “bling-bling” factor with two huge telescoping antennas and famous chrome grills over the speakers. The CDX-931 has the rounded corners that distinguish the later editions from the boxy first and second generations, with the CD player integrated into the top panel. It typically comes in a bold black finish with silver/chrome detailing.
It is approximately 25 inches wide, 11 inches high, and 10 inches deep.
Unfortunately there is no Line-in on his boombox.
Collectability & Pop Culture
The CDX-931 is considered rarer but less desirable among hard-core collectors than the earlier cassette-only TRC-931 editions. Parts are not readily available for the CDX-931, and it’s viewed as a lower-priority pickup compared to the 1st and 2nd generation units, which are praised more for their sound quality.
Pricing
The original retail price was around $100 in 1986 which was cheap even for that era, which is part of why the brand has a “bling over substance” reputation.
Today on the secondary market, prices vary widely by condition. CDX-931 units currently appear on eBay in the $80–$150 range for parts-only condition. Working units in good shape can command $150–$200.
The Lasonic CDX-931 is an interesting piece of late-90s/early-2000s boombox history – a CD-era update of one of the most culturally iconic ghetto blasters ever made. It’s genuinely part of a legendary lineage, but among serious collectors, the earlier square-cornered TRC-931 cassette units hold more prestige. The CDX-931 is a cool and visually striking piece, especially for casual collectors who want the Lasonic look with CD capability, but parts availability and middling sound quality compared to its predecessors temper its collectible value somewhat. But, the CDX-931 is rare so, needless to say, if you have a chance to get one at a reasonable price do it.
