Good question, I thought about it and couldn't decide for quite a while. Eventually it came down to speaker size. I wanted 12" subwoofers and to drive those you need a larger amplifier so I went for a standard size home stereo.

Can't say this would suit everyone, I built my own cabinets so they could become an integral part of the dinette seats which were getting a bit wobbly anyway. Airstreams absorb sound really well, I crank up the Beethoven, and it's hard to hear outside. Then again you can take the boom-box to the lake, tow vehicle, etc. Heck- get both.

Jon Darling