With the "SONY" nametag, it's gotta be good, right? Well, mostly. If you buy it, get ready for a 2-handed carry, about like a piece of carry-on luggage! But then it's built "Heavy Duty"! The sound is good--the MegaBass feature could use a little more "oomph," though. The somewhat-flimsy metal antenna could have been replaced by one of those sturdy, flexible, rubber types. The CD compartment is well-insulated--I'd say "water-resistant." The controls are easy to use, although the itsy-bitsy manual isn't much help. All that said, we're pleased overall--it's coming with us on a beach vacation later this summer!