Anyone looking for a decent minisystem under $200?
Check out the Philips mcm530 and JVC FSB70.
For a few reviews, go to Amazon; in the search window
type mcm530, click on the Philips description and scroll
down the page. Both are reviewed.
For a listen, Best Buys has the Philips and Hi-Fi Buys has
the JVC.
I listened to these and many others, including Panasonic,
Onkyo ($400 range, great sound, THD, but no features),
Sony (crap), to name a few. Wanted to listen to Yamaha,
but nobody displays it around here, and it is over $400.
Most JVC is boombox (all treble and thumping bass), but
FSB70 sounds good in bass, mid and treble. Looks a
little cheap. Cassette, 5CD, tone controls.
Great sound.
Philips MCM530 has good range, a little heavier in the bass,
EQ presets, surround presets, 5CD, USB connection so you can
listen to internet radio and mp3 files, and looks excellent in
an office. No cassette.
Retail prices: JVC $180; Philips $150.
I bought the Philips. It sounds great in the office; much
better than it did on the shelf at Best Buys; bass thump
went away, partly due to speaker placement. I am
thorougly pleased with it. One drawback is the fact
that it plays shuffle only on one CD at a time,
but I believe this can be overcome by burning a bunch of
songs onto one CD.
Check them both out before you buy. If you want decent
sound for under $200, look no further.
