Price Paid:  $298.00 from The Brick (on sale)

Summary:
The sound of this system was the best of those I listened to. It seems well built, with simple controls to operate and a remote. The style is ok, but looks better to me If you take the speaker grills off. The active hyper bass is very, very effective for such small speakers. I leave it on 1-2 (goes 1-5) otherwise the neighbours might be knocking, it really thumps that much. The main volume maxes at 40.If you always play it at 35-40, like the last reviewer said he did, of course you are going to blow something. 35-40 would be very loud to me, and I'm already a bit deaf from guitar amps. There are 5 preset EQ settings to choose from, Rock, Jazz, Classical, Pop and Flat, but no seperately adjustable EQ. The manual doesn't explain what each does specifically, so you just decide which sounds best. Overall the sound is very clean and precise, if anything, I might want more midrange, but it still sounds great for it's size.

Strengths:
Active Hyper Bass very hyper and active. Clear, clean sound.

Weaknesses:
No separate EQ. Speaker cabinet color questionable.

Price Paid:  $179.00 from Electronic Express

Summary:
This was clearly the best-sounding minisystem with a CD and cassette deck of all the ones I auditioned, including models from Sony, Yamaha, Onkyo, Panasonic, and Aiwa. Not only are the speakers of unusually high quality, they can play plenty loud with excellent bass without requiring a separate sub. But there is even a subwoofer line pre-amp output (along with stereo line in and out jacks) in case you want to use one.

Strengths:
1. Outstanding sound quality. 2. High volume capability. 3. Stereo line in/out and subwoofer outputs. 4. Excellent value for the price. 5. Bass level control and 5 preset equalization settings.

Weaknesses:
1. Some controls are a little hard to use or figure out at first (but we've gotten use to them). 2. The silver, blue and light wood finish might not fit everyone's decor. My daughter loves it, though. 3. No Dolby noise reduction for the cassette deck (but that's the rule nowadays). 4. Single-disc CD (but it's simpler to use and less likely to break than a changer).

Similar Products Used:
Panasonic SC-PM12, Sony CMT-EX180 (?)

Price Paid:  $500.00 from Future Shop

Summary:
Well, Ive had this stereo 3 times now....sounds great but I can't seem to stop blowing the amp. I'll be listening to music at about 35/40 volume and the amp will just cut out and wont start up again.

Strengths:
Really good sound......

Weaknesses:
Doesnt seem to hold up very well, blows very very easily..