Panasonic RQA200 AM/FM Personal Stereo with Built In Speakers

by Panasonic

Product Details

Product Manual [463kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 4.4 x 3.4 inches ; 6.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004T1X6
• Item model number: RQ-A200
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Panasonic's RQ-A200 is sized and styled like many little portables, with a sleek aluminum face and a plastic tape door around back. But that face conceals twin speakers that lie behind fine grilles and are ported at the base. The side of the unit offers a headphone jack and a small microphone, with a port for a stereo microphone (not included), volume control knob, and the tuning wheel for the AM/FM radio. Up top are the tape controls: buttons for record/play, stop, fast-forward, and rewind, with levers for pause as well as tape/radio select and normal/city sensitivity. The other side of the unit has a connection for a 3-volt AC adapter (sold separately) and another lever to choose between speakers, headphones, and enhanced headphone playback. A pair of AA batteries pops in behind the door on the bottom.

A convenient battery-level indicator--a string of red LEDs that run from F to E like a dashboard gas tank gauge--tells you when power is running low--a particularly useful feature when recording, lest you miss a crucial moment. The removable wrist strap lets you carry the recorder like the transistor radios of yore, and cassette playback can withstand fairly rigorous activity without incident. A pair of surprisingly tough, highly adjustable XBS (Extra Bass System) headphones is also included.

Once you accept that these are relatively small speakers designed to fit into a tight form factor, you will likely be surprised by their high output. Playing a professionally recorded tape at full volume, we had no trouble filling a 15-by-20-foot room with music at only minimal distortion. By using the three-position switch, you can opt between the speakers, the headphones, and the XBS mode for the headphones only. The faux bottom end did give the illusion of greater heft to the sound but also introduced a murky, synthetic quality.

Recorded voices demonstrated excellent spatiality even through the condenser mike--the results are especially noticeable through the headphones. Part dictating machine and part personal stereo, Panasonic's RQ-A200 is a harmonious fusion of business and pleasure in an easy-to-use unit.

Pros:

• Compact size
• Face-mounted speakers let you travel headphone free
• Optional stereo microphone means even higher-quality recording
• Radio reception aided by a normal/city switch

Cons:

• Long on some advanced features like recording, but missing some popular options like digital tuning and auto reverse
• No auto stop after fast forwarding and rewinding
• Slide-rule radio tuning is dated

Amazon.com Product Description

The Panasonic RQ-A200 multipurpose radio cassette recorder makes it easier than ever to transport your tunes and record important ideas. This AM/FM cassette recorder features a compact design with an aluminum front face.

The AM/FM tuner ensures crisp reception, while the full-function cassette deck plays your favorite tapes and records important messages. Dual speakers and the built-in condenser microphone provide enhanced playback and recording. There is an external microphone jack for advanced recording.

The RQ-A200 features up to 24 hours of playback and 20-hour recording with two AA batteries. The package includes headphones and a hand strap.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Practical but scarce., June 22, 2002

By 

Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Panasonic RQA200 AM/FM Personal Stereo with Built In Speakers (Electronics)

(After using this little player/recorder on a daily basis, I'm raising my rating to 4 stars. It's light, rugged and, best of all, adequate to the task of accompanying my daily walks without requiring the use of headphones. Since this is no doubt the end of the line for stereo mini-cassette recorder/players by any manufacturer, I'd probably buy another just for back-up.)

Walkman-style players are a dime a dozen. So what attracted me to this particular model was its ability to record reasonably high quality live music in stereo. The unit is the same size as the one I'm replacing--an Aiwa--which costs about 40% more.

There are a few nice features on the Panasonic--the battery power indicator and built-in speakers that are actually usable--but not enough to atone for the loss of my Aiwa. The silvery face makes it less practical for "stealth" recordings, tuner sensitivity and selectivity are atrocious, it lacks auto reverse and, most significantly, despite the claims of stereo recording, Panasonic neither supplies a mini-stereo microphone nor offers a purchasable one. If you can find the Aiwa, pick it up for the extra 40%. Otherwise, a Sony mini-disc, though considerably more expensive, is probably your best bet.

16 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have Walkman, November 27, 2000

By 

April (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic RQA200 AM/FM Personal Stereo with Built In Speakers (Electronics)

I just received the Panasonic RQ-A200 today November 27, 2000. Why do I say this is A Must Have Walkman because it records your voice, plus you can listen to your cassette tapes, the Am/Fm station is o.k. The reason why I say o.k. because it's a turner, not digital but it has Fm reception normal or city, so you can hear clear Fm radio station. But who cares because when you put the head phones on you get excellent sound out of the panasonic. When you switch to the speakers the entire room can hear clear music sounds coming out of this baby. Also it has a pause button so you can pause your cassette tape and come right back to it. Plus a little spot for you to put a stero mic. Head phones are included. One important thing you do have a stop button. So if you go forward or rewind you can stop the tape. To sum it up Panasonic has out done theirselves. You are silly not to have a walkman like this. The rest of the other walkmans are o.k. but will you get something that records your voice, plus listen to the radio, speakers without having your head phones on and excellent sound. So check it out, you can't go wrong with this Panasonic Walkman.