hvymtl6988

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Price Paid:  $20.00 from Pawn shop

Summary:
Okay, I know this thing is at least 5 years old but it was on clearance at a pawn shop because the top CD tray does not close on its own (the other two work). I needed something to listen to that sounded decent so I took a risk and bought it. The JVC MX-J70 is a Dolby Pro-logic mini Hi-Fi rated to deliver 120W to each of the front, 30W to the center, and 30W to BOTH rear speakers. Just like almost every mini system sold, the power specs are exaggerated by using a 10% distortion rating at 1 Khz. But don't let the specs fool you, it's just a way to inflate the numbers. If you use more strict criteria the power would be close to 80 watts per front, 20 for the center, and 20 shared for the rear under non-audible distortion conditions. The sound is very powerful and clean. It has 3 preset EQ, 3 preset "surround modes", and three memory spaces for your own EQ settings. You can even add surround effects to your EQ settings. The surround settings are actually quite listenable. JVC has excercised some restraint in the echo and reverb department so your music doesn't sound like listening inside of a coffee can. The S.A. bass boost is actually quite good and doesn't add alot of boom and bloat to the music (I do have to turn it down a notch when I watch a DVD...too much bass!). The bass boost does seem to fade away as the volume reaches 35 or higher. Since the speakers were designed to go with the system, it will protect your woofers from getting damaged. Pro-logic operation is clean and accurate. I miss digital surround but for $20... The center and rear channels are adjustable to match up with the fronts. Personally, I have my center on +2 and the rears on +4 and the sound is quite balanced. The JVC is good for a smaller room (which it was designed for). No one really buys a mini-system for a huge home theater anyway. By the way this unit is at least 5 years old and rolling front panel operates very quitely.

Strengths:
Good strong, powerful sound. Neat custom EQ settings. Surround modes are adjustable. Price I paid for it.

Weaknesses:
CD trays not reliable, tape decks worked one day. Not Dolby Digital or DTS. Tuner has trouble with distant stations.

Similar Products Used:
Philips FWC527, Sony, Aiwa

Price Paid:  $350.00 from Future Shop

Summary:
This is a great system for the price. If you want a mini system that is good for listening to music and movies then this is a product you'll want to look into. For movies, there is a suprising amount of bass produced (for smaller room) but the rear speakers are a bit weak (15watts each). The center ch is 30watts and sounds a lot better, it reproduces voices very well. You can adjust the volume of rear, center and main speakers individually so that helps reduce strain on the rears if you want to turn up the mains.

They say it's 300watts but this may be an exaguration....it's more like 300 at max output. There is great bass handling at low volumes but if you really want to hear what the system can do you have to turn the volume up to 30/50 or more. I don't play it much louder than that, and there is very little distortion at that volume. The mid range and tweeters are VERY good, the high range of the speakers can go very loud if you want to make yourself deaf. Even this sytem pumps out a good amount of bass, a subwoofer will really set this thing off. luckily there is a handy sub-out on the back.

I plan on buying a Klipsch ksw-12 sub for this system

Strengths:
good bass for no sub, good range for mains, 9 EQ settings

Weaknesses:
weak rears, loading trays are slow

Similar Products Used:
RCA, Paradigm, Kenwood

Summary:
This system is used for my bedroom and I think that it fills the room with beautiful music. I would have bought it for $100 more! Has very live/flat sound clear highs and no boom in bass area. The specs say 10. THD but do not be fooled by this because it HAS to be overrated because when you turn it to its highest volume setting no distortion whatsoever can be heard. Great system, It gets five stars from me

Strengths:
Great soundstage for such small speakers...Has very good amps etc... Has 330W of PURE CLEAN power. Beautiful (Pro Logic...But I really don't know if that is a strength or weakness)

Weaknesses:
Used to be a little harsh and bright but now sounds sweet and natural

Similar Products Used:
none

Summary:
I think this is a really great system, none of the clicking noises for me (Maybe I got a newer one) Also the speakers did NOT degrade at all They are crisp and sound great LOUD our as background for perhaps a party. They can project any type of music, classical, acoustical, even rap (I don't consider it music though)! Very versatile system. Even good for HT ! THe MSRP is $299

Strengths:
Price
Great Sound Quality High Highs (For a minisystem) Low lows also. Good remote too. It also records very clearly. Has Inputs for Dvd etc.. and it has an optical input for MD's alot of power.

Weaknesses:
The tape (cassette) player is a little hard to get used to

Similar Products Used:
NONE

Summary:
AN o.k. SYSTEM OVERALL BUT SOUND QUALITY WEAKENS QUIKLY. i RETURNED MINE TO THE STORE i BOUGHT IT FROM BECAUSE OF STRANGE CLICKING NOISES DEVELOPING WITH THE ROLLING PANEL.

Strengths:
GOOD BASS FOR NOT HAVING A SEPARATE WOOFER, PRICE

Weaknesses:
SPEAKERS WEAKEN IN SOUND QUALITY VERY QUIKLY EVEN WITH LITTLE USE, ROLLING PANEL MAY QUIKLY DEVELOPE CLICKING NOISES

Similar Products Used:
RCA MINISYSTEM