Panasonic SL-SW965VS Shockwave Portable MP3-CD Player with AM/FM Tuner (Silver)

by Panasonic

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001IXUGC
• Item model number: SL-SW965V
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Now you've got an MP3-friendly CD player you can take on the road or to the gym--and one that happens to look great, too. Listen to your commercial CDs, play your homemade MP3 compilations, or let a DJ call the tunes with the unit's built-in AM/FM tuner and 30 station presets.

Panasonic's ultra-tough SL-SW965VS 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 No-Skip Anti-Skip System guarantees smooth playback under many conditions, boosted by a 45-second memory buffer. If the ride's too rough, though, you can always switch over to radio.

With just 2 AA batteries (not included), the SL-SW965VS gives you up to 75 hours of playback when listening to MP3 files from CD-R/CD-RW. Alternatively, you may power the player using an optional 4.5V AC/DC adapter.

D.sound, Panasonic's advanced audio technology, consists of four components that work together to enhance your listening. A digital amplifier helps reduce distortion to ensure crystal-clear sound, even at high listening levels. And S-XBS and digital audio gain control improve bass response at higher levels, while MP3 Re-master technology improves the sound from compressed digital music files.

The player comes with stylish Shockwave hand grip and Shockwave lightweight over-ear headphones.

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

Product Description

PANASONIC SL-SW965V -- The Shockwave Portable CD Player is an all encompassing entertainment system for the active individual. Listen to your favorite CD or radio station as you jog, run or glide, in the gym or on any kind of outdoor terrain. PANASONIC Shockwave technology integrates science and art in a rugged, heat and water resistant body that pleases the ear and the eye. Includes SHOCKWAVE Hand Grip and Lightweight Headphones Dimensions - 1-3/16 Deep x 5-5/8 Diameter

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quality of this mp3 cd plater is Perfect!!, March 5, 2005

By 

Ya Ding (MANHATTAN,KS,USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Panasonic SL-SW965VS Shockwave Portable MP3-CD Player with AM/FM Tuner (Silver) (Electronics)

First off, I would like to say that this player amazes me. I bought it for a 2 week work trip for use on the planes and such. The sound quality is GREAT!!I ended up using it every night to fall asleep because the guy I had to share a room with snored louder than a diesel engine. So, it got used for ~8 hours a day. During the entire trip I only had to change the batteries once near the middle of the second week. So, long battery life doesn't even begin to describe how long it lasts. The volume goes up to a level that even satisfies my annoyingly loud taste.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SWEET!, August 12, 2004

By 

Kutibah Chihabi "Cody" (Riverside, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic SL-SW965VS Shockwave Portable MP3-CD Player with AM/FM Tuner (Silver) (Electronics)

I just got this and it is awesome! One of the best players you can get. Reads Multisession CD's! It is awesome. Great value for your money. Sound quality is excellent! With an addes Bass Boost! The sound is so cool, that you actually hear it drumming bass like a sorround sound system! A must buy!

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars An Embarrassment to Panasonic..., January 20, 2005

By 

Milan Gohil "Music Enthusiast" (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Panasonic SL-SW965VS Shockwave Portable MP3-CD Player with AM/FM Tuner (Silver) (Electronics)

I purchased this player in December of 2004 and have regretted it since.

1. This player does not output in true stereo sound...

Simply making sure that the headphones are properly connected to the shockwave is a chore because the shallow headphone jack does not allow for the pin on the headphones to be completely inserted into the unit. I should also mention that the headphones included are flimsy junk. Buy a better pair for yourself, if you plan to pick up a portable cd player.

2.I am a big fan of guitar driven hard rock. This player has very poor high frequency response...

Guitar sounds that have been very easy to distinguish on my favorite classic albums over the years, are very hard to hear on the Shockwave 965. X-Bass drowns out everything but the lower end tones.

4. Lower bit rate (under 256k) MP3s sound warbled, almost like worn out cassettes, even when the MP3 remaster(useless) feature enabled...

I will say that MP3s properly encoded at 256k or higher do sound fairly good, almost as good as their CD counterpart on the SW 965.

5. No remote control! UGH! Frustrating & Pointless...

Switching tracks, adjusting volume, or switching from CD player to radio band tuner, on the Shockwave 965 is a real pain, as there is no remote control. I have to pull the unit out of my bag each and every time that I want to make an adjustment on the Shockwave!

Overall the Shockwave 965 is a major embarrassment to Panasonic, and should be avoided at all costs! Not a suitable player for the serious music lover, or someone that likes audio to at least sound LISTENABLE!

I plan to give the Shockwave to my younger brother as a hand me down, as I would feel guilty if I sold this unit to anyone.

I also plan to pick up one of the new Sony CD Walkman 2005 models in the spring. Sony has never let me down when it comes to portable CD players. Took a chance on Panasonic, a company with a great reputation, who has made excellent products in the past, and was burned...

It should also be noted that the review titled "It only gets better" by Trevor J. Hall is referring to Panasonic SL-CT710 Slim CD / MP3 Player, as the Shockwave has NO EQ setting called "live".