Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Terms S2 = Sony ZS-XN30 Multi-Codec S2 Sports CD/Tuner Boombox (White) H10 = Sony ZS-H10CP Heavy Duty CD Radio Boombox Background: I bought the H10 to replace a defunct S2. I use three S2s and one H10 daily (and simultaneously) at a swimming pool, so I compare them daily. My biggest surprise is that, contrary to what the specs imply, the H10 sounds twice as loud as the S2. Perhaps this is due in large part to the H10's significantly better base: there is noticeably more of it, and it is very clean (has low distortion). I play the S2 with the Mega Bass button on, yet the H10 bass is so pronounced and clean that I leave the its Mega Bass off. "Specs imply" means that the specifications state that the H10 = 2.3 watts per speaker vs 2.0 watts for the S2. The H10 is significantly easier to use than the S2: The S2's up-down Volume buttons have been replaced with a large dial, the S2's jog control whose operation baffled water aerobic instructors has been replaced with clearly marked buttons, and that aggravating push-to-open CD cover has been replaced with a cover that has a hinge lock. And since the CD cover of two of my three S2's is nonfunctional, my guess is that this new hinge-lock cover will be more durable. On the H10 but not on the S2 are: Line-in (for tape players and ipods), and a storage compartment. The latter is large enough both for both the H10's wall plug and a line-in jack (not provided). The H10 is noticeably heavier than the S2, about the same width and depth, and twice the S2's heigth. Also, the black-red motif is much more in-your-face than the subtle white of the S2. 8/17/06 Update: At least twice the controls have locked up; that is, the controls have acted as if a "Hold" switch was turned on, except the H2 has no such switch. Both times removing the batteries solved the problem. I deduce that this is caused by some combination of relatively uncommon button-pushing. 7/27/09 Update: Absolutely no lockup since the Summer of '06. In summary, the H10 both sounds better and is significantly easier to operate than the S2. 10/16/06 Update: I've started adapting to limited floorspace by playing the H10 on its side; note that it is designed to be able to do so. 11/7/06 Update: The H10 sounds so much better than the S2 that I replaced all three S2s with H10s. 7/27/09 Update: 1. To get maximum performance at maximum volume, plug the H10 in, to either a wall socket or an external battery, like the Duracell Powersource Mobile 100. 2. Lasts longer poolside than any other boombox I know of: Most boomboxes last about 6 months poolside; in contrast, the two H10's lasted for more than two years of daily (Monday through Friday) use; then their CD players stopped working at about the same time.