DAK Emerson CTR 965 Thunderwall boombox
Updated 15 October 2023
Introduction
The DAK Catalog was published by DAK Industries in the 1980s to supply cheap high-volume electronics via mail order services. The DAK Catalog focused on bringing new gadgets to the market. But this the Thunderwall advertisement was really about cashing in on the boombox market of the 1980s. The Emerson CTR 965 Thunderwall really ticks all the boxes for a boombox. The Thunderwall looks great. The 4 square looking woofers really give the front a look that shouts music. The 5-band graphic equalizer is standard fare for the time. Note how the Emerson CTR 965 graphic equalizer is shown in the classic Vee shape, booming out the bass while singing those peircing highs. This advertisement misses nothing.
Searching photos (wayback) on the Internet, it appears that those beautiful square speakers are just foam covers. Photos inside the box show a quad array of 3.5" woofers and two eletrostatic tweeters. The part number for the woofers are SP-1358 rated 12Ω 4 Watts musical power. In modern day terms this is quite underpowered. However you need to remember that this is a battery powered boombox from the 80s. Loudness is a relative term.
Using the Thunderwall
Description
The DAK Emerson CTR 965 Thunderwall boombox is a retro-piece from the 1980s that was marketed as an audiophile portable boombox. Here are some features and details about the DAK Emerson CTR 965 Thunderwall boombox gathered from multiple sources:
Design and Appearance: The boombox boasts a unique aesthetic with four square-looking woofers that give it a distinctive appearance, which shouts music. The square appearance of the woofers is actually achieved through foam covers over conventional round speakers. Inside the box are a quad array of 3.5" woofers and two electrostatic tweeters. The part number for the woofers is SP-1358 rated at 12Ω 4 Watts musical power.
Audio Features: It features a 5-band graphic equalizer which was standard fare for the era it was produced in. The graphic equalizer is shown in a classic Vee shape, booming out the bass while singing those piercing highs. Moreover, it comes with AM/FM stereo functionality.
Cassette Decks: The boombox is equipped with dual high-speed dubbing, sequentially playing cassette decks, which were a part of its appeal for music enthusiasts during that time.
Portability and Power:
The DAK Emerson CTR 965 Thunderwall boombox was marketed with a focus on portability, allowing users to have a solid wall of musical brilliance
whether at home or on the road. It was a battery-powered boombox, which was a common feature for such gadgets in the 80s. It is noted for its rich, deep, and powerful sound, akin to what one might expect from a home stereo system, including extremely wide separation of sound.
Additional Features: The boombox also has an Aux input feature, allowing for the connection of external audio devices.
Condition and Availability: Many listings on online auction sites show the boombox being sold for parts or repairs, indicating that finding a fully operational unit might be challenging due to its vintage status.
The Emerson CTR 965 Thunderwall boombox was a product of the 1980s, a time when boomboxes were a significant part of the urban musical culture. It was sold through the DAK Catalog by DAK Industries, which was known for supplying cheap high-volume electronics via mail order services during that era.
