Update for the Panasonic RQ-548S Cassette Radio with 7-Inch Dual Cone Speaker

I bought my Panasonic RQ-548S two or three years ago ($25 plus $15 shipping), tested it, was fairly impressed, and shelved it. For some inexplicable reason, I took it off the shelf and compared it to my other vintage and new radios and I've got news for you. This is an Apex Performer that whooped major butt over my Sony ICF-5900 (sells for over $200), my Panasonic RF-888, Sony ICF-5500, Panasonic RF-1130, Panasonic RF-877,Boston Acoustics Horizon Solo, and my Sangean WR-2.

This butt-whooping specifically was an AM reception test. The smoking gun was my weak ESPN 710 that gives all my radios birdy. With the aforementioned vintages, I could get the birdy to diminish considerably on my RF-888 and others, but here's the bad news: The birdy was still there.

Not so with the RQ-548S.I fired up the beast and there was the birdy. But then I rotated huge radio the birdy was completely annihilated. 

I'm serious: This Panasonic is to be reckoned with. I don't have a clue what size ferrite antenna is housed inside this tank. It's 14 inches across and 9 inches high. 

Other selling points: The speaker is huge, and produces sound as big, if not bigger, than the legendary Panasonic RF-888.

FM reception is grand. All my FM stations pulled in with ease and I did not even have to budge the telescopic antenna. I'd say the RQ beats the RF-888 in FM sensitivity rather easily. I paid $207 plus shipping for the RF-888. Whoa.

Update: 11-07-09: The RQ-548S is now my official garage radio and it's so loud and can blast the whole neighborhood. There are no radios being built like this today. I'm very impressed. Also a reader requested that I open it up and photograph its insides. I'll give this a look (I'm curious about the size of its ferrite), but only if I'm confident that I can do so without stripping the screws. These radios don't show up on eBay anymore.

If you can buy one of these for $40 or so, grab it. The good news is I used to see these on eBay quite a bit. Lately I haven't seen them but they should show up now and then. 

Catalog the RQ-548S under sleeper alert. 

Comments

[Chris]

I own a similar Panasonic model R5310B, it lacks FM but has AM and 3 shortwave bands. The speaker looks the same as the RF888. AM performance is pretty good in its stock configuration, made outstanding with the use of a Terk passive loop. Audio is fantastic. Shortwave performance is good with a longwire antenna. Tape deck is not functional. I bought mine on ebay a few years ago, it went cheap cause it was missing the battery cover...

[larry]

all you say about this RQ-548S is true, i had one back in the day when they were new but it ended up getting ruined and i wish i could get me one now, the radio reception was great and the depth of the sound was in my opinion unsurpassed of any other radio i have heard since. have fun with yours ,larry

[RICK HALL]

DO YOU STILL HAVE THE VINTAGE RADIO - CASSETTE PLAYER NATIONAL PANASONIC RQ-548S

[Daniel]

I just picked one up today - wow! You weren’t kidding. This thing seriously slaps. The reception is extraordinary. I was a devoted radio geek as a kid and getting back into it. This is a serious radio. Thanks for the heads up

[Will Le]

I just picked one today - I will have to do some TLC when I have it in my hands. I can't wait. back in 1976 I believe someone in my family purchase one. I can't believe I came across one. I do recall the sounds was awesome as a kid.

[Matt]

Ahhh... Panasonic radios!
I've been a big fan of Panasonic equipment since I was a teen.
Having experienced many different brands through the decades, I've just kept coming back to Panasonic.

Their build quality, reliability, sound quality/performance, and styling is hard to beat.
And their radios are still useful in today's "digital" world, for those clinging to Analog sound.

I own several, being a collector.
Panasonic RX-5600 (1980 big boombox)
RF-759 portable
RF-960 (wind-up auto-tuning)
RF-1600 (6-band portable)
Model 740 (early 60's tube am/fm)
RC-7538 (am/fm analog clock radio)

All are in pristine like-new condition.
And being a retired after 45 years professional servicer, I make sure they stay that way.
And working in a shop for so many years repairing customer stuff, helped me gain a fondness for the brand!

So.. naturally, my main stereo system is all Technics, and my main flatscreen TV is a Panasonic.
Fact is, they made great products!