Price Paid:  $200.00 from Futureshop

Summary:
Yes, the bass is great, but it's important to make a distinction here. While many rave about the bass, it's the shaking, deep bass that you can feel they're talking about. I agree, if you like it to boom and shake the floor, it'll do that. But as for sound in the lower ranges, it's quite weak and indistinct. You can't really discern notes since the mid and upper ranges dominate. The tweeter is not too great, it's fuzzy and sometimes downright offensive. But what do you expect for an entry level system. It does outdo other minisystems in the pricerange. One thing that doesn't though, and that really gets to me is the CD changer. It's extremely slow and noisy. The random feature is a gimmick, it doesn't have any options like choosing random tracks for a particular number of CDs. Because the changer takes its time and is slow, it ruins the random feature somewhat by taking a large amount of time when switching CDs. Similarly, the lightshow offered on the panel is another gimmick that thankfully can be turned off, except the revolving pacman representing the CD player when it's playing. The equalizer options, while plentiful, usually end up muzzling or distorting the sound. If you want to change how the sound is, go with the manual equalizer option. In the end, it's still good for the price, and it gets the job done for rock/hiphop listeners who like boom in their bass, but I don't recommend it for people who listen mostly to jazz/classic or any instrumental.

Strengths:
For an entry level minisystem, decent sound, a fair number of features

Weaknesses:
CD changer and features, bass, equilization features

Similar Products Used:
Bose lifestyle hometheater system, various Sony and Aiwa minisystems

Summary:
I had this baby for two years before I gave it to my little brother (cause I upgraded to Technics components.) I still get a tear in my eye when I reminisce on the times I shared with this system (well not quite but I really love the SC-AK27). Since it is an old product I will try to keep this review short, so here are the reasons to get one - 5 disk changer, bi-wired speakers, Super woofer for a tight bass, graphic equalizer, Great recording ability (cassete deck), the price, looks sweet.
If you can get one even second hand you won't be sorry.
5 stars all the way.

Strengths:
Great sound, Great Price, Great looks - What can I say It's Great.

Weaknesses:
Damn slow cd changer.

Similar Products Used:
Sharp, Sony.

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Dixons

Summary:
ok sound, good bass unreliable cd changer, thought panasonic was good. the subwoofers arn't the biggest. and the perfect acoustic responce (3d ai) is as sod's law dictates, between settings. would be ok if cd changer hadn't broken, after moderate use

Strengths:
5 cd changer, loadsa bass, decent radio, only 180 quid (discounted) ( the 400 bucks being an estiamte of what i paid in us$. tape player is alright.

Weaknesses:
the cd changer broke after 2 months. the acoustic responce thingy is a wee bit pointlesscannot change a cd while another one is playing

Similar Products Used:
panasonic portable

Price Paid:  $180.00 from Cosco

Summary:

Strengths:
5 disc changer, Strong Bass for its price, Nice display,
Sound is great, It says panasonic all over it!!

Weaknesses:
Slow disc change

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $270.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
Bought it for the wife for xmas last year and it's been great. The base is great for a little system. Would like to have RCA inputs to run audio from the TV, but that's okay I guess.

Strengths:
Great sound compared to other systems in the same $ range

Weaknesses:
CD Changer is slow, no audio inputs