The Energon Pub

Finally broke down and bought one (blue version), when I wasn't planning to at first. Just got a Mini SD card during lunch and testing the sucker. Its really TRIPPY! Listening songs from a Transformer LOL.

The MP3 player is not good. Very limited to the bare functions, and the sound quality is not good. Not horrible like some people say, but you really need some good earplugs and very clean MP3 rips to make it sound decent. And it does have a noticable hissing noise when its silent (end of a song). Though the figure is not bad. Like it quite a bit actually. Very articulated, looks very good (though on the simple side due to its size), and actually a simple transformation for once regardless its a modern TF. But you can tell Takara is cashing in big time on this guy, because they skimp on everything (player electronics, plastic quality, hollow hands & feet, paint job not that clean, not high-end finish that you would expect from any MP3 player, accessories...heard the headphone it came with sucks, so didn't even bother). But it sells really well I heard just due to its pure novelty. Count me as one of those sucker.

But there is definitely something really strange that makes you smile, when you realize that you are listening songs from a freaking Transfomers. So geeky, but so fun as well.

Wish the search engine works, so that I can continue an old discussion on Soundwave. But guess I'll have to make a new topic.

Reprolabels has stickers for him, and they really make him look so much better. I may get them since I don't plan to take him anywhere.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I think I'll leave him as is. Like it looking more modern.

As of the white version, anybody think it looks a bit odd? The one in the gallery looks like the paintjob quality is even much worse than the blue version (which is not that great already). A lot of blue bleeding into the white areas and face look really rough. Might as well leave the guy entire white & silver. Might look quite sharp and less paint scratch issue.

Soundwave could be so much better though, but guess thats a way for Takara to make big bucks. If this thing ever come over as a domestic release, it'll probably be around $40-50 for US retail standard.

I never liked the white one. It looks unfinished, and the white plastic looks a bit too translucent for my tastes. The blue and even the black (which I am still tempted to order if it is still available by then) look really good for him. The white makes him look super bland, and I don't like bland! I like pizzazz! Blue Superior, white inferior.

its a shame that his QC isnt up to snuff.

For this kind of item which will probably only appeal to a collector, they should have really made him perfect.

I was on the fence, no I am not interested in him at all.

If I got one I would put the old school decals on him.

Thats why I quite feel like its Takara's attempt to cash big bucks. A MP3 playing Soundwave is sure a great attraction. If they've put in the amount of affort and care like on any of the MPs, or even the BTs, we would have gotten more than what is offered in this release. The sculpt and articulation sure is nice. But man! Hollow hands and feet that you see the cavities on the side. Thats quite unacceptable when it comes to a $100 figure. And no nicely polished hard plastic like MP3 play has either. If nothing else, give it some diecast so that at least it has a metal shell like high end MP3 players do, LOL. While the MP3 player is so bare-bone that, I bet my MiniSD card worth way more than its cost.

Now having it standing right in front of me as I type, it looks really cool. But when I think of it, Takara could have done so much better to make this a true winner, like they did with MPs and other toys. Even the THS TFs has a lot more design went into the toy (even though I heard they are very flimpsy due to the tiny size). Now really minimizing their cost on almost everything, it sure earns the company bigger profit. Have been collecting a bunch of different Takara toys. Other than some of their cheaper Microman releases, this is actually the first big purchase that I was underwhelmed by their effort, when they do so well on stuff like MPs, BTs, Votoms, Cool Girls, teh Kerberos Protect Gear 12", as well as their 12" Batman Begins figure. Those are so good that they set industry standards nowadays. Its such a shame that they didn't try very hard on Soundwave.

As an MP3 Player, he is no prize. I doubt I'll be using mine as one anyway. No display, not even a simple monochromatic backlit one, is what really hurts it for me. But, he's a cool idea nonetheless. I may just keep him MIB if I decide I don't like him. If I don't, then off he goes to ebay.

But he does look sooooooo good with his reprolabel stickers.

Sportimus Prime wrote:As an MP3 Player, he is no prize. I doubt I'll be using mine as one anyway. No display, not even a simple monochromatic backlit one, is what really hurts it for me. But, he's a cool idea nonetheless. I may just keep him MIB if I decide I don't like him. If I don't, then off he goes to ebay.

But he does look sooooooo good with his reprolabel stickers.

I wouldn't leave him in the box for too long though. He does shine in robot mode and posing afterall. His arm articulation is exceptional especially. Not that many TFs can do the "Eject" arm pose as easy as this guy.

mpchi wrote:

Sportimus Prime wrote:As an MP3 Player, he is no prize. I doubt I'll be using mine as one anyway. No display, not even a simple monochromatic backlit one, is what really hurts it for me. But, he's a cool idea nonetheless. I may just keep him MIB if I decide I don't like him. If I don't, then off he goes to ebay.

But he does look sooooooo good with his reprolabel stickers.

I wouldn't leave him in the box for too long though. He does shine in robot mode and posing afterall. His arm articulation is exceptional especially. Not that many TFs can do the "Eject" arm pose as easy as this guy.

Well, it all depends when I get him in December. If I like what I see in the box, then he comes out to join the Classics line. Otherwise, he's bye-bye.

I do like his posability from what I've seen in pics of him.

So you are getting Blue? Or Black? I am not too familiar with the back story of the Black Sound Blaster though. But he doesn't look too bad. Looks like he'll have a purple Decepticon logo rather than silver.

mpchi wrote:Looks like he'll have a purple Decepticon logo rather than silver.

I think Soundwave only had the silver one, because the silver one is less intrusive on the white one. And Takara apparently wanted the Sonic "iPod" White Soundwave to be the star among the two (Frenzy and Rumble match him after all and not teir Spark Blue Creator). Apparently a miscalculation

I have the spark blue, too (what else) and I especially agree on the plastic.

mpchi wrote:So you are getting Blue? Or Black? I am not too familiar with the back story of the Black Sound Blaster though. But he doesn't look too bad. Looks like he'll have a purple Decepticon logo rather than silver.

Blue.

Soundblaster was created with what was left from Blaster and Soundwave after they essentially destroyed each other.

Sportimus Prime wrote:Soundblaster was created with what was left from Blaster and Soundwave after they essentially destroyed each other.

where is this story? I'd like to read/watch it.

To be honest I doubt I'd ever use him for music anyways. I gots an ipod for that!






CHALLENGE!


I challenge the kitbashing greats among us to kitbash an MP3 Soundwave to use and ipod memory and interface rather than the current SD setup. Maybe just using a shuffle memory stick.


Cos that would rock!

Malikon wrote:

Sportimus Prime wrote:Soundblaster was created with what was left from Blaster and Soundwave after they essentially destroyed each other.

where is this story? I'd like to read/watch it.

Yeah. That's some pretty interesting bits. I also wonder where this is from, whether is TV or comics. Didn't know the 2 rivals eventually 'merged' into one, and became a Decepticon no less. Kind of cool actually.

mpchi wrote:

Malikon wrote:

Sportimus Prime wrote:Soundblaster was created with what was left from Blaster and Soundwave after they essentially destroyed each other.

where is this story? I'd like to read/watch it.

Yeah. That's some pretty interesting bits. I also wonder where this is from, whether is TV or comics. Didn't know the 2 rivals eventually 'merged' into one, and became a Decepticon no less. Kind of cool actually.

It happened in the Headmaster cartoon series.
Blaster and Soundwave battled to the "death" only to be brought back in new colors a couple episodes later.
Blaster was remade into Twincast(basically recolored to blue & grey) and could hold 2 tapes.
Soundwave was rebuilt into Soundblaster(recolored dark blue & grey) and could also hold 2 tapes.

I have the E-hobby Twincast BTW.