M90s Assemble - NOW UPDATED…slightly
Today I’m looking at the M90 Mini & Micro retro replica bluetooth boomboxes.
A bit of backstory - I bought my classic (forty year old) Victor RC-M90 boombox a couple of years ago as a result of the launch of the miniature replicas Kickstarter.
I’d toyed with the idea of buying this classic boombox in order to demonstrate it in a video for a number of years but the prices were just way too high. It was extremely unlikely that a video could ever earn enough to pay for the cost of the boombox so I’d decided that it wouldn’t be worth it.
But then New Wave launched a campaign to fund two mini bluetooth speaker versions of the M90 and I realised that if I ever wanted to own a real RC-M90 it was either now or never…the prices would only increase further once the replicas hit the market.
I attempted to justify the expense on the basis that I’d be able to compare the real thing against the replicas once they arrived.
Due to delays to the kickstarter I ended up featuring my real RC-M90 in a video back in November 2020.
I’ve just checked today and despite almost half a million views on that video it’s still short of earning back the cost of the machine. Hopefully the inclusion of it in today’s video will go someway towards helping it to pay for itself one day.
Slightly off topic - Due to time pressures caused by external events there’s been a bit of a run of review videos recently on the channel. I’m aware that this isn’t what everyone wants to see, myself included, so I wasn’t planning on doing another product review for quite some time. But then this box arrived out of the blue and it makes sense to make the video about this one now rather than waiting until no one cares.
I hope to go back to featuring something old, outdated and irrelevant in the next video.
Take care and enjoy your week.
UPDATE:
I’ve added in three minutes, starting at just over 17 minutes in, that answer the most commonly asked questions posted by Patrons. This section includes a brief look inside the case. I also fixed the sound levels at the end.
Comments (70)
Well I fouled that up - I was watching the oddcast at the time and posted this comment on the wrong video - sorry. I look forward to the Q8 and regret that I gave mine away.
have you ever come across an 8-track device playing quadraphonic. I had one for a while but I ignored the 8-track bit and just used the quad amplifiers for something.
Oh yes - Q8 is in the queue.
If they did full sized one I'd seriously consider it.
A full-sized miniature? A maximature? 🤔
I wouldn't mind the large one at some point, particulary as it has the JieLi chip with local file playback, handy for when BT goes south. Will sub to their list. My BT speaker is on borrowed time. Great review. LMAO at the stupid phone fanboys for each camp. I actually had my 4s out earlier tonight to test out an old iPod accessory. https://prnt.sc/46fs6Uf0B6NH
Great video, as always. None of these are really in my wheelhouse but I super appreciated this. I like the mini very much and had I not already have too many of these little Bluetooth speakers, I'd go for the micro.
Does it make a sound if the battery is going, or just light an LED somewhere to alert you?
I don’t know, I haven’t run it down yet.
I've noticed sound glitches at 5:35 and 6:43. Sounds like something was silenced out.
Those aren't glitches - those are edits. It's either this or listening to an old man who can't breathe properly swallowing a mouth full of spit - I presumed most people would prefer the silence.
Mat, do you have any plans to get any of the upcoming replica boomboxes from New Wave Toys? Could you resist the temptation to get one that was a replica of one of those Panasonics as shown on the Earth, Wind and Fire advert on your wall?
I'll have to see what they come up with - I have strong suspicions the next will be the Sharp GF-777 - only because it's the next most familiar one to most people.
Best extra 3 minutes ever. Okay, maybe not the ultimate best but as for Patreon Videos for sure!
Nice update. Well worth the re-encoding IMO. I love the mini, would love to buy one to put on display and use when required. It's a shame it's so expensive (but good value for money). I often wish I had a good boombox to take to the garage when I'm sorting stuff out. This would fit the bill nicely for Bluetooth use, or even stick a Walkman to the back of it. Aspirational. Quick question, any idea how much it would be with all taxes, VAT and import duty, for the $160 item cost, Anyone?
At a guess you might be looking at something like £60 on top of the price. You’ll have to factor in the postage costs to the U.K. too. At this stage it might be an idea to wait for their next Boombox replica kickstarter campaign…but I suspect that wait would be a year or two.
Wow!
I figure the answer is probably no since it wasn't brought up in the video but I have to ask. Did you notice any problems with hiss coming through in the playback of your mini even when playing the build in sound clips? Its not really noticeable on the radio mode but I've seen some other feedback from owners with the same problem. New Wave mentioned in an update they were looking into it and that there would maybe be some firmware update but this is also the first in depth review I've seen someone do on it and it would be interesting to confirm that the problem isn't universal.
I spotted a slight buzz at some points when nothing was playing and it was connected via Bluetooth…but whenever it was playing music I couldn’t hear anything out of the ordinary. I put that down to electrical interference…pretty much everything exhibits the same behaviour in this room.
Some cassettes with reel lookalike in the mini would been cool. Anyway love the video and the devices ‼️‼️
Your reviews always bring a smile to my face Mat. My only question is were on earth do you store it all ? Is your wife asking you to move to a bigger house ?
I wish I could afford a bigger house - all I can afford now are smaller ones.
I didn't have any of those questions but welcome the extra detail all the same, the M90 Mini really does look like a nicely made bit of kit. Great to see.
Often things that I don’t consider interesting or relevant are the ones that generate most of the questions. Better to pre-answer them now I suppose because goodness knows that no one ever reads an answer posted in the YouTube comments. Might as well write that answer on a piece of paper…then burn that paper and scatter it into space.
'Slight update' is an understatement. Great update 👍🏻
Mini is the new retro ;-). Looks at his own Mini A500
My attic and storage unit is full of full size retro that I don't have the space to use. I guess with something like the Mini A500 you don't have to relive constant disc swapping to get through a game either.
Does the remote fit in the pretend battery compartment?
Yes - just.
Not my area of interest, but I am so impressed by the quality and attention to detail, that was well worth watching. Fascinating, Mat, I am so pleased people are doing this sort of thing.
Next week's review: The yellow sponge. Outdated kitchenware or just from a finer time?
I'm surprised nobody has come up with a smart sponge that uses an app to keep track of its vital signs (i.e. moisture, bacteria levels, how worn out it is etc).
I would love to learn what other "Kick Starters" you are interested in. Perhaps a short video going over them? Love Being a Patreon to people like you!
I've only got four Kickstarters that are outstanding now...and all those should be future videos, that's if they ever arrive (some are quite a few years old). I rarely like to announce upcoming videos just in case I change my mind. I once mentioned one video I was planning on doing... almost every day for the next two years I just kept getting people asking when the video was coming, why it was delayed, what happened to it.... Never again.
The M90 Mini looks absolutely brilliant. About the only thing that's not quite right is that the FM Stereo LED is blue rather than red, but other than that Replitronics and New Wave Toys nailed it.
You're right. Blue LEDs weren't even available at the time. Red has always been easiest to manufacture. A disgraceful anachronism. 😛
I love Replitronics. They understand that there's no point unless they go allllll the way: the thing should look and _function_ as closely to the original as possible. I'm certain that they investigated ways to include functional VUs before rejecting the idea with reluctance. This is the second time I've recently spotted the Sony A55 in one of your videos. Has it become your daily driver, since those firmware upgrades? I recently filled the 256 gig card in mine to capacity and swapped in a 512 gig...very happy with this purchase.
I use the A55 in videos as it's a way to avoid the operating system wars. If I'd used my five year old iPhone - I'd activate the 'your (sic) an Apple Fanboy - Apple sux' brigade.
I personally like all your videos, no matter the content, you make everything interesting. But if you really want, you could make a video about the Stereo8 multi-cassette player.
I've got a couple of multi players - so I will get to them as there's a specific bunch of carts I want to show off that would work great in a machine like this.
I have genuinely been anticipating this since 2019 when I saw the prototype units at their booth at E3 in Los Angeles. Knew immediately back then that you would eventually get one and review it, and I even heard people at the show say “someone send this to Techmoan!”
In a way I'm glad they never got in touch (at least I don't think they did...I rarely reply to emails) - if it had sucked I wouldn't feel bad about upsetting them. There was little chance of that happening though, New Wave seem to care about what they're doing.
I guess I’m in the minority and don’t see why I would want one of these.
You're firmly in the majority - there's 7.7 billion of us on the planet and they've sold a few hundred.
Great video, as always! When you peeled off the protection film from the Micro, I thought you could have played the peel-off song again, sped up for a Chipmunk sound.
I tried it but I couldn't hear the words - it just sounded like odd noises
You didn't mention if the "tweeter" were real and/or had any output.
I assumed they're just part of the authentic design replica. A two-way speaker in a case this size wouldn't make much sense. A tweeter would be the size of a split pea.
You got a bargain there
Glad these didn't disappoint after all the substandard boomboxes you've shown before. Nice when you can recommend something rather than just perform a public service by telling the rest of us to avoid it. I wonder how the real-terms pricing (it's £159.99 for the mini) compares to the original when it was available to buy. Quite well I'd imagine.
I was backer number 80 (approximately) so I paid a total of $117USD for both devices including shipping to the UK. Sometimes it's worth taking a gamble...but with New Wave you can be pretty confident that they won't let you down. Although the estimated delivery date was Dec 2020.
Mat, I enjoyed this video immensely. I've always been drawn to miniatures of things, and these are meticulously designed. I love how they decided to duplicate the boxes, the stickers, and the cassette, too. That's excellent. Temptation to buy these is great, although my pocketbook begs me to resist. 😃 I really enjoyed this, and oh, thanks for the peeltease. 😉 I remember when you unboxed the original machine. If anyone is interested to see that (it's great), here is screen cap/video of the Patreon Update for October 2020: https://ibb.co/JvbYT5v https://youtu.be/w-6H-o30sAc&t=41m18s You take care, too, Mat. The same for all of you here.
I'd forgotten that I'd recorded this.
Wow! They both look amazing. Can really REALLY tell your joy at every moment of this from preamble, through unboxing and exploring the device. Was like watching little Mat open Christmas gifts as a kid. Does the Dragon's Lair actually play the game (just as a side question). Sorry should have looked if anyone else asked. If they have then ignore this part. Have to agree, thing of beauty and works fantastically too!
I'd imagine you'll find someone unboxing the Dragons Lair machine on YouTube - but yes it's the proper game and it even has a separate display for the score.
Can someone please send Mat a ball-jointed anime girl figure so he can set up a diorama, featuring all mini-scale retro tech.
Please don't.
"I hope to go back to featuring something old, outdated and irrelevant in the next video." LOL! Entertaining as always,
Nice Video :)
You should totally equip Mini-Mat with the micro M90! Perhaps not for every appearance, but when appropriate. 🤓 BTW, I've previously suggested keeping the same scale and placement of the Matvatar (another name for him?) consistent. Just noticed that for the first appearance in this video, he is dangerously close to the edge of the screen. Some screens overscan, and would thus crop him. The second appearance was probably more compatible. Just something to keep in mind, I guess. 👍 Looking forward to the next installment of this series.
I move him wherever he needs to be in order to avoid obscuring things - this will change every time I do it as it’s freehand…no templates were harmed (or used) in the making of this or any video.
Nice attention to detail and glad that both scale versions are perfectly usable without causing ear ache.
I think this is definitely Otaku Grade and no mistake !
Excellent for Li'l Cool J and Li'llr Cool J.
Sort of like Goldilocks and the Three Cool J's
This went right up my 80s flagpole, hate I missed out on the Laserdisc arcade games, but may go for the pink walkman
An original JVC M90 is a little outside my budget, but I do have plenty of the old 1989 Memorex dBS60 tapes they've replicated here.
I didn't know this - looks pretty awesome. I'd have bought one, but of course they're not available. Oh well, I got on their email list, so hopefully they make more and can keep a few in stock. But based on the review and the looks, they're going to sell a lot of these.
Old, outdated and irrelevant? Did I miss your call ? 😉
Check your fax