Panasonic SL-SW950 Shockwave Portable CD Player (Blue and White)

by Panasonic

Product Details

Product Manual [985kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 5.2 x 1 inches ; 8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000659UJ
• Item model number: SL-SW950
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #408,704 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Now you've got a CD player you can take on the road or to the gym--and one that happens to look great, too. Panasonic's ultra-tough SL-SW950 Shockwave portable CD player sports a heat-resistant, polycarbonate body for outdoor use. Further, it's equipped with a one-touch lock-and-release system designed to keep the player's top cover securely attached regardless of your activity. And, it's water-resistant. Don't immerse it in a pool or tub, but don't let a light rain deter you from that morning jog, either.

The player has been designed to virtually eliminate skipping under normal and most active listening conditions. Panasonic's Digital Servo system assures precise focus servo and tracking servo operation for high vibration resistance. However, if a shock does occur, you'll enjoy 48 seconds of backup memory to help your music continue as if nothing happened.

With just two AA batteries (not included), the SL-SW950 will give you up to 40 hours of playback time. This feature is not only economical, but also , since it reduces battery consumption. Alternatively, you may power the player using an optional 4.5V AC/DC adapter.

Other conveniences include a hold switch (which negates state changes during transport or listening), playback of recordable CD-R and CD-RW discs, 24-track programming, random play, repeat play (one track or an entire disc), S-XBS (Extra Bass System) to give your music an added bass boost, Train mode high-frequency reduction for less fatiguing--or simply less conspicuous--listening, and a pop-up eject system to simplify disc removal.

What's in the Box
CD player, stereo in-ear headphones, jogger grip (with adapter), and a user's manual.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well-designed but could use a little better sound, November 11, 2002

By 

"midnightmatinee22" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic SL-SW950 Shockwave Portable CD Player (Blue and White) (Electronics)

I bought this Panasonic SL SW9-50 because I was looking for two things : good sound and above all NO SKIPPING. A previous older version Sony with none of the antiskipping features prevalent in the field today proved to be bothersome - and Sony sound is very thin and distorted even with the bass boost on.

This Panasonic fits well in the hand and has a provided rubber strap. The body is water resistant and this is a feature that could be handy in Canadian weather. The buttons are rubber cased on the top. I like the buttons instead of dials which you may find on the Sony - especially if by mistake or something rubs against the dial and brings the volume up to max by mistake. The volume on the Panasonic is a toggle with - and + - the typical volume setting will be around 10 or 11. There are different play modes including repeat or random. The buttons include a previous track, next track, a separate button for stop and play/pause. The play/pause button is a good touch because Sony does not have a similar button (what it has instead is a stop, play resume feature). The Panasonic has a memory recall.

The Panasonic headphones provided are plastic and painful in the ears after a while. The sound without any of the eq bass boost is rather ordinary, clear but not very exciting. There is a setting for train - which cuts out the high frequencies that may bother people on the train. The XBS boost is good - not amazing - but sufficient and definitely better than the Sony megabass. It is still a muddy bass and loses the treble. This unit definitely could use a treble boost.

As for no skip - I have done some walking and some shaking of the device and it's been solid so far. The life of batteries it claims is 18 hours with rechargeables which I use or 40 with AA. For the price I paid, it would have been nice to have had the AC recharger than Sony does provide for a similar priced unit (Sony DEJ751 which I do not recommend).

Canadian at Best Buy - is this worth it ? In the long run, yes. It would be nice if Panasonic had provided AC rechargers and batteries instead of charging extra for them. A serious jogger might want to have FM/AM digital tuner as well when the batteries run out for the cd player.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great cd player, could improve on the headphones., February 14, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Panasonic SL-SW950 Shockwave Portable CD Player (Blue and White) (Electronics)

great cd player for active individuals. the hand grips are great and i have enjoyed skiped-free music throughout my rund and workout routine.

the quality of sound from the headphones could be a little bit better and it's not very comfortable.

1.0 out of 5 stars Expensive and worthless, July 23, 2006

By 

Alyssa A. Lappen (Earth) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Panasonic SL-SW950 Shockwave Portable CD Player (Blue and White) (Electronics)

Once again, we chose a cd player with a sports design, thinking that this would make the product more durable.

This unit is easy to hold, while on a workout or away from home. And the water resistance is a nice feature too.

But the unit stopped playing discs within a few months. It says "no disc" after a cd is inserted.

We can't agree with the other reviewers on this item. It lasted slightly longer than Coby products, but not much. In our view, the item was not worth the extra expense--indeed, not worth any price at all.