Soundbox: Difference between revisions
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A '''soundbox''' is a stupid [[gimmick]] that ruins an adult collectible and turns it into a [[Playskool]] baby toy. Alternatively, it is an electronic gadget containing a memory device that records one or more sound clips and plays them back on demand, allowing for audible explosions, beep-wheedles, and "I am [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]". | A '''soundbox''' is a stupid [[gimmick]] that ruins an adult collectible and turns it into a [[Playskool]] baby toy. Alternatively, it is an electronic gadget containing a memory device that records one or more sound clips and plays them back on demand, allowing for audible explosions, beep-wheedles, and "I am [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]". | ||
A soundbox is a self-contained unit | A soundbox is a self-contained unit containing batteries, electronics, and speaker, which makes it simple to install in a toy -- all the designer needs is to allow space and a grille for the speaker. On the other hand, a soundbox is relatively large as gimmicks go, and requires a fair amount of dedicated space. | ||
As with all electronics, soundbox technology has improved notably in the last twenty plus years. Toys featuring soundboxes during the 1980s usually also had to make space for a relatively large [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PP3_battery nine-volt battery] and the snap connectors that went with it. Modern soundboxes are now powered by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Button_cell button cell batteries], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AAA_battery AAA batteries], or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AA_battery AA batteries]. | As with all electronics, soundbox technology has improved notably in the last twenty plus years. Toys featuring soundboxes during the 1980s usually also had to make space for a relatively large [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PP3_battery nine-volt battery] and the snap connectors that went with it. Modern soundboxes are now powered by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Button_cell button cell batteries], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AAA_battery AAA batteries], or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AA_battery AA batteries]. | ||
Revision as of 21:26, 30 July 2007
A soundbox is a stupid gimmick that ruins an adult collectible and turns it into a Playskool baby toy. Alternatively, it is an electronic gadget containing a memory device that records one or more sound clips and plays them back on demand, allowing for audible explosions, beep-wheedles, and "I am Optimus Prime".
A soundbox is a self-contained unit containing batteries, electronics, and speaker, which makes it simple to install in a toy -- all the designer needs is to allow space and a grille for the speaker. On the other hand, a soundbox is relatively large as gimmicks go, and requires a fair amount of dedicated space.
As with all electronics, soundbox technology has improved notably in the last twenty plus years. Toys featuring soundboxes during the 1980s usually also had to make space for a relatively large nine-volt battery and the snap connectors that went with it. Modern soundboxes are now powered by button cell batteries, AAA batteries, or AA batteries.
Soundboxes have also become somewhat cheaper to manufacture, given their very sparse use in lines previous to 2002. During Armada and after, the boxes became a common feature on larger figures.
Toys Utilizing Soundboxes
1985
1986
1993
2000
2001
2002
- Roleplay Dark Saber
- Jetfire
- Laserbeak
- Megatron
- Optimus Prime
- Red Alert
- Scavenger
- Roleplay Star Saber
- Starscream
2003
- K-Mart Gold Optimus Prime and Jetfire two-pack
- Sam's Club Optimus Prime
- Sam's Club Ultra Magnus
- Toys 'R' Us Air Attack Optimus Primal
- Galvatron
- Overload
- Powerlinx Jetfire
- Powerlinx Optimus Prime
- Powerlinx Red Alert
- Skywarp
- Thundercracker
2004
- Sam's Club Starscream and Prowl two-pack
- Toys 'R' Us Megatron and Optimus Prime two-pack
- Bulkhead
- Cliffjumper
- Iron Hide
- Jetfire
- Landmine
- Megatron
- Mirage
- Optimus Prime
- Scorponok
- Shockblast
- Treadbolt
- Ultra Magnus with Space Mini-Con Team
2005
- Beachcomber
- Dreadwing
- Galvatron
- Energon Iron Hide
- Landquake
- Omega Sentinel
- Omega Supreme
- Overcast
- Quickstrike
- Six Shot
2006
- Costco Optimus Primeand Ultra Magnus two-pack
- Crumplezone
- Dark Scorponok
- Jetfire
- Leobreaker
- Megatron
- Optimus Prime
- Scourge
- Supreme Starscream
- Vector Prime
2007
- Cryo Scourge
- Dark Crumplezone
- Galaxy Force Optimus Prime
- Galaxy Force Vector Prime
- Galvatron
- Menasor
- Metroplex
- Nemesis Breaker
- Sky Shadow
- Wing Saber
- Brawl
- Desert Attack Brawl
- Megatron
- Optimus Prime
- Nightwatch Optimus Prime
Trivia
- Generation 1 Shockwave was the first Transformers toy to feature electronic sounds.
- Reissue Galvatron's soundbox was upgraded to use AA batteries instead of the original's nine-volt.
- Tidal Wave's Armada box noted that he had electronic sounds. He did not. Bummer.
- Cybertron Voyager Starscream was designed with a soundbox in mind (even including the requisite speaker and battery brackets when you crack one open), but the final Hasbro and Takara versions have no electronics. Again, bummer.
