A boombox is a portable stereo that is capable of producing large amounts of bass and volume. The bass and volume they offer makes them a hit for fans of rap music. Their portability made them iconic in 1980's and 90's urban street culture.>p>

Before the boombox, portable stereos were am/fm radios with one speaker. The first version of boomboxes were manufactured in the early 1980s. These boombox radios featured a cassette player. As cds became more popular, cd boomboxes began to offer a cd player, which makes them favored over portable cd players that require headphones. Another feature of the boombox is its detachable speakers. The detachable speakers make the boombox work as a home stereo use as the speakers can be placed wider apart for a bigger sound. As a boombox is more compact than a standard home stereo system, a boombox works well in smaller spaces such as an office, dorm room or a small apartment. Also, a boombox can be powered with batteries making it fun for outdoor listening in places like a playground, a picnic, the beach or a tailgate party. Boomboxes are becoming more and more advanced incorporating other features like the sound processing that reproduces different environments such as a theater, club or hall. In an effort to produce more bass, a boombox may contain a bass boost function. Portable music seekers can pickup a boombox at just about any store that sells stereo equipment.