Sony MHCEC98Pi Mini Hi-Fi Shelf System with Digital Media Port and 530-Watts RMS (Silver) Review

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(More customer reviews)I did not purchase this from Amazon, but I wanted to write a review anyway.I have been looking everywhere for a stereo system that has clear sound, great bass, an iPod hookup and cd changer.If it had a cassette deck, that would be even better, but I could deal without one.I really liked the idea of an extra subwoofer.I wasn't going to purchase this system because it only has a 1 disc tray for cd's, but I figured that's where the iPod comes in for continuous music, and I should at least try it.Needless to say, I bought this stereo and hooked it up immediately (set up was a piece of cake).

I was immediately disappointed when the wires for my speakers were extremely short.Maybe only about 3 1/2 feet long.I like to spread out my system a little so I can get the best sound.Now, I'm not talking about placing speakers all around the room - they wouldn't even extend to the edges of my entertainment center.

The worst part of all, and the main reason why I am returning this system, is the sound is muffled.Even when I changed the preset EQ settings, the only one I was somewhat happy with was the "MP3 SURROUND"... but it still muffled my music.I could barely hear "s" sounds in the vocals... when I could, they sounded more like an "f".I should say, I am also very picky when it comes to electronics, but when I'm spending $200 + dollars, I think it's allowed!All I am asking for is crisp sound.

So, here are my pros to the system:
--Very nice looking stereo system
--DSGX feature really boosts the sound, along with the subwoofer
--LOVE the included iPod dock, which also charges
--7 different EQ settings for sound (my old stereo had 4)
--530 watts for loud sound

My cons, which severely outweigh the pros for me:
--Muffled sound.Vocals and music bits are not clear at ALL
--1 CD playing capability
--Wires and chords aren't long enough to spread out components to my liking
--Expensive for the things it is lacking

Hopefully this review will be helpful - I wish I had one that was this detailed when I was looking.Mind you, everyone has their own taste.

I would not recommend this system to anyone who is looking for crisp, clear sound.But if you like a nice strong bass and a lot of power... you may want to take a look.

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Product Description:
Sony MHCEC98Pi Mini Hi-Fi Shelf System with Digital Media Port and 530-Watts RMS - Silver .

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Sony LBT LCD77Di Shelf Stereo System (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)My AWIA tanked a while back, and I was forced to get a new unit. AWIA was gonna be a tough act to follow. I'm not someone paid or 'encouraged' to write this either.

This is a pretty good unit. I hope it gives me lots of good years of service. It has a good, rich sound that fills my living room nicely. I have high ceilings and wood floors and the sound is good, not 'tinny' or high pitched. iPod, USB, aux. inputs are great. I like the audio controls O.K. but still want more than 3 layers/bands of an equalizer....The video screen is cool. GREAT picture. But it really has no appreciable function. Unless your in a dorm room maybe, but most folks probably have a laptop that has a much bigger picture anyway. It woud make for a decent digital picture frame, but it's still kinda small for that, and since it's sitting on a shelf or cabinet it's probably not gonna be in a great position to watch. At least that's how it is in my home. Still the picture is Very good.

SONY. All the bells and whistles on the unit, and no RDS?!?! (Radio Disply System) like on my cars radio?? How come that's not on here?? And why not a HD reciever? Those 2 things would have put this unit at 6 stars for me! And why not an option for some decent screen savers while the radio is on? If it's gonna have a screen saver, and the potential for great pictures! How come those LAME images? Since we can't play/see anything else while the radio is playing!

Forgive my whining...Those are just my ideas for improvements. For the money though, this is a good unit. It seems difficult to find a decent stereo these days, and this one fits the bill fairly nicely. Hope this helps. I'm satisfied. Oh and by the way. The distributor, and UPS got this there to me before the scheduled delivery date, and at Christmas Time!

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Product Description:
Karaoke: Karaoke-PON/Multiplex/Key control/Song Reservation/Scoring/Vocal-Vocal select (Only DVD Function)

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Sony LBT-ZX66i iPod Ready Mini Shelf System Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been listening to my new Sony LBT-ZX66i for the past 3 hours. It does everything it claims to do and does it well. Unlike last year's equivalent model which had a (now obsolete) cassette deck, this year's model gives you a much more useful iPOD dock.(for most full-sized iPODs, such as my iPOD Classic, you can insert your iPOD directly into the LBT-ZX66i's dock. Some older or smaller iPOD's may require an adaptor)
The Sony features a 5-disc carousel-type CD changer, an iPOD dock & AM/FM radio, plus the ability to do Karaoke(there's two microphone inputs via quarter inch plug) and a headphone output which uses full sized quarter inch headphone plug.
This system is powerful and clean, and the "X-Groove" button will provide the outrageous thumping that your disco,rap, hip-hop & Dance music enthusiast craves. But here an important difference: unlike many similar systems from other manufacturers, when the thumping mode("X-Groove") is switched off, the LBT-ZX-66i can provide clear,natural sound, with crisp midrange and highs for those of us who prefer rock, pop,jazz and other types of music. Believe me: even without the added thumping, the LBT-ZX-66i is no slouch in the bass department. The 3-way speakers(with horn-loaded tweeters) are better than you would normally get in a system of this type.
There are number of effects modes optimized for various types of music(Rock,Pop, Salsa,Reggae,Dance,Jazz,Samba,Tango). "Rock" seems to yield the clearest and most natural sound. There's also a simulated surround mode(which I have yet to try), and a 3-band digital equalizer(you can create your own custom E.Q. settings in the unit's memory). I'll eventually experiment with these features. And if you have a turntable, there's a phono input. Programming the FM/AM tuner was easy and the reception and sound quality was fine.
My only complaint is this: the remote control is a bit too basic. There are too many features of the LBT-ZX66i which can't be controlled from the remote control. These features(including the effects modes) can only be selected from the main unit's front panel.
I normally wouldn't comment on the merchant here in a product review,but I'll say this:I've had a great experience buying from "J&R Music World" for the past 29 years, whether directly, or more recently through Amazon. After buying a Plasma T.V. from J&R(via Amazon) and seeing J&R drop the price $200 lower ten days later, I contacted J&R, who gave me a $200 store credit, which I used towards this Sony compact stereo system.
One other thing:this system is fairly large. It is not exactly a shelf system, but if you've got room for it, then go for it. You won't be disappointed. Not that many companies are making this sort of system anymore(JVC doesn't make systems of this size & power any more), but Sony can make this sort of system better. The manufacturing quality is excellent, and it's got enough features that can either be used or not used, so it can be tailored to produce good sound no matter what your musical tastes are.
AS AN UPDATE TO THE ABOVE:The effects modes CAN be selected on the remote control, via a button called "EQ".
Important additional note: if you are planning on playing CD-R's on this unit, I would advise you to try a few of your CD-R's on this unit before buying. While the LBT-ZX66i had no problem playing CD-R's that I recorded on my rack mount pro audio CD recorder or CD's that I recorded on my iMAC computer, I have hundreds of CD'sthat were recorded by my friend on several PC's that he's owned over the past 5 years. None of these discs can be played on the LBT-ZX66i(which cannot read the table of contents on these discs). The LBT-ZX66i is one of 14 pieces of equipment(and one of four Sony products) in my home which can play CD's, and the only one that can't play these PC-burned CD-R's. All of these CD-R's feature standard CD Audio.

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Product Description:
iPod - Charge, Play, Control 540W Total Power Output (RMS), 5-Disc CD Changer with Play Exchange, CD-R/CD-RW, MP3 Playback, 3-way, Bass Reflex Spkr Sys, 6.7" (17cm) Dual Hybrid Woofers, 1" (2.5cm) Horn Tweeter, Game Sync: Front A/V Input, Big, bright vivid display, AM/FM Tuner, 30-Station Presets, Remote Control with full iPod menu control

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