Price Paid:  $0.00 from N/A

Summary:
As my life changed with a lot of moving, I had to sell my beloved stereo system too. Now that I´ve settled down for a while, I needed something to start over. When my dearest friend presented this Yamaha MCR-E150 system as a gift for me, I was delighted to get something for listening music again. I knew beforehands from various reviews the Yamaha´s PianoCraft series to have good quality components and a great sound. I also knew that the mini speakers wouldn´t be able to reproduce the lowest bass and was prepared to get a decent subwoofer to cover that. But no matter how prepared I was and how high my expectations were, I was totally blown away. The sound was simply stunning. I have never heard better sound from such a tiny package. And I have hardly heard better sound from normal size, quality separates either. My last stereo system had no frills, good separates, modified as much as possible. The sound from that system made some of my friends to invest on higher priced (almost) audiophile gear, to try to get the same kind of enjoyable music experiences as from my stereos. And now here´s this micro system whose sound still simply amazes me everytime I play some music on it. I´m certainly not claiming that this Yamaha would beat any really good separate system, not to even mention the higher end gear. But it definitely just drowns any competition on the usual so called Hi-Fi market. As for the other mini, midi and micro systems out there, well ok...we can forget those now and forever, except likely the other PianoCraft series systems. The sound is warm, but with enough treble sparkle so that it won´t get muddy or out of balance. At first the treble appeared to be kinda suppressed. But then after some hours of continuous playing, and especially after I really opened up the volume for a while, it cleared and got into balance. While the highs tingle nicely, the mids just are there. And there they are, in a good way. Not obtrusing, not lacking nor honking upfront. The bass department was one of the big surprises on this one. For about 13 years I had been accustomed to hearing lows down to 35 Hz. Quite big lows also, when needed and applied. For sure this system, or more specifically these speakers won´t go that low. Or have that authoritative force on bass either. But other than that, there´s certainly plenty of bass coming out of this wonderbox. Very nice bass also, having enough body and force to totally belie the size of these speakers. The basslines are easy to follow too, it won´t get mushy or boomy. As for all the features, you can check the manufacturer´s site or various reviews given. Stylistically MCR-E150 system looks simple and simply classy. Only the most crucial switches and knobs are present on the front panel of the CRX-E150 amplifier/tuner/cd-player combo. That gives an uncluttered, good looking visual image to this unit. The switches and potentiometers also feel sturdy, giving a reliable feel when used. Every other function is found on the remote, which on itself is basic but works good. Special note has to be said about the working range of the remote. While the manual recommends pointing it within 60 degree area from the front panel, in real life I can point it basically into any direction I want to in the same room and it still works. The remote doesn´t have a mute button, but the volume control works fast and there´s always the stand-by button also. There´s three pairs of line-level inputs and two pairs of line outputs on the back of the amplifier, along with the optical digital output. A separate subwoofer output is also provided, so it´s a cinch to connect some bass box into this. The speaker terminals are sturdy and accept also banana connectors, as will the terminals on the speakers too. The CD-tray feels even surprisingly steady and strong, compared to many higher priced player´s flimsy trays. Some people have complained the cd-player to be noisy while playing. Maybe they had faulty units, mine is dead silent when playing. Only by turning the volume down to zero and getting really close to the closed tray, I can hear the silent whirring. The player however DOES make noises whenever the cd is inserted, the songs are jumped to and from manually or when the preprogrammed song is changing into an another. In everyday use that is certainly ok and I haven´t never even heard totally silent cd-players in this regard. The NX-E150 speakers are a perfect companion to the CRX-E150 main unit, completing the MCR-E150 package. I have the cherry oak finish on my speakers instead of the black gloss. I like this finish better, it´s easy on the eyes and easier to keep clean too. The speaker elements are bolted to the front baffle sturdily and overall, the good quality of the whole system carries on to these as well. The terminals will accept bigger cables and banana connectors too.

Strengths:
Never in my life have I heard better system in this price class, not to even mention the size. Most definitely the best buy for anybody wanting a killer starter set-up, a really nice second system for enthustiacs or even passable for the high endists in need for something small for other than the main audio room. If I´d have to describe the sound in one sentence, I´d say that it´s highly defined and rich. It has body and a good power reserve to kick when needed too. While rated "only" at 25 Watts to 6 ohms (the nominal impedance of the NX-E150 speakers), it certainly has enough power to easily fill my 18 sq.m. (115 sq.ft) living room, never turning the volume above the 11 o´clock position. The prize of this setup may be high when compared to other micro-systems, but it´s rightly deserved. You have to pay way much more to get better sound as from the MCR-E150. Ah, about that subwoofer that I initially planned for this MCR-E150..well, that can wait for now. I´m satisfied with this system as it is way more that I could´ve ever imagined.

Weaknesses:
I got used to a matrix type song display on my previous cd-player. This Yamaha doesn´t have that, which is understandable though, considering the size of the display. The display contrast could go to a little brighter setting. Normally it´s just fine, but when you´ve got sun shining straight into the display, it´s hard to see anything on it. This is the way most of the displays are, though. When any other input source is selected, the cd-player stops. So no quick check on what´s going on in the radio for example and then continuing from where you were on the cd. That is something which took some time to get used to, being used to be able to freely swap between the input sources without interrupting the actual play on any. These are the only quirks I can think of in this system and considering everything, pretty minor ones.

Similar Products Used:
None of the similar micro/mini systems. I´ve heard some of the most common brands at my friend´s. My own stereos have advanced from the usual cassette boomboxes to highly modified separates along the

Price Paid:  $400.00

Summary:
Excellent system with incredible sound at all ranges. Yamaha always has had its own sound at it has to suit your taste. I always find the sound dark and a bit edgy which I like. I am happy with bass performance, but might add a subwoofer later. Lack of base perceived by some listeners is due to small size of speakers, not a technical limitation. Speakers are amazing quality for a packaged set.

Strengths:
- Amazing sound quality - Design - Build quality

Weaknesses:
- Ergonomics on remote

Similar Products Used:
NAD Musicsystem, Kenwood midi systems, Denon stuff.

Price Paid:  $350.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
I was looking for something small for my bedroom with better sound than a boombox, more to create ambiance than for careful in-front listening. I actually intended to purchase a cheaper unit, but was disappointed with it when I tested it in the store. I bought the MCR 150 because it is small and unobtrusive, has great sound, is easy to use in the dark, and doesn't have any distracting flashing or bright lights. The sound is fantastic, the build is superb, and the controls are nicely designed. It's a pleasure to use. You'll like it, but I have two caveats. First, the included speaker cables sound horrible. I swapped in some old monster cable that I had in my closter. It really cut the noise dramatically and brought out the bass. Be sure to pick up some decent (nothing fancy) speaker wire when you get this if you don't have any sitting around. Second, the cd player mechanism is noisy while playing but I live in a city apartment, so it doesn't bother me. Check the return policy if you are really picky and will be listening in a quiet space. Otherwise, it's a great mini system. I like that it has connectors for other components. I don't need it now, but I'll be holding on to it for a long time so they may come in handy. You'll like it.

Strengths:
Excellent sound. Solid construction (nice knobs). A little pricey.

Weaknesses:
Lame speaker cables. Whiny CD player.

Similar Products Used:
Mini's by Sony, Aiwa, Phillips, etc.

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Media Markt

Summary:
I'm using this thing for 4 months and the sound is realy very good-neutral, dynamic, powerful. CD player is a little noisy, but just a little.Very good piano-finished speakers sound like mini stoudio monitors.

Strengths:
natural,dynamic sound with well controled bass

Weaknesses:
noisy cd-player

Similar Products Used:
Sony,Technics.

Price Paid:  $290.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
This mini-system has several good points but one very serious problem: the CD player makes an unacceptable amount of humming noise while in operation. This noise may not be noticed at moderate levels, especially if the music involves multiple instruments, but as soon as the music becomes quieter, especially in works for solo piano or voice, the humming greatly interferes with the music. The noise was noticed even at 15-20 feet away.

Strengths:
Very attractive and simple styling. Balanced sound.

Weaknesses:
That damn humming! Sound in general is slightly dry.

Similar Products Used:
Various less expensive Sony systems.