Need a mini system

[RoamDog]

I would like to get my daughter a mini system for her birthday. Looking to spend about $75 - $150. I realize that this price range will offend the true audio folks, but my daughter will not appreciate the difference between a $100 system and a $10,000 system. Yet. Give her time.

She does want something more than the absolutely basic $25 CD player at Walmart. So, what is the best bang for the buck in the $75 - $150 range? But it has been 15 years since I have purchased audio equipment so I do not even know what to ask about any more. She mostly wants to listen to CDs (so I probably need multi-CD capability). But also wants access to FM radio (digital tuner). Not sure what else to look for. Equalizer? Does anybody even use tapes any more? Do all these units play MP3s automatically? What do i look for in the attached speakers?

She would like to be able to carry the unit with her to her friends house on occassion. The unit will normally be used in a room that is 12X14 and other times in a space that is 18X30 (and I am sure that there are other places that it will go).

Can you help?

P.S. I promise that I will come back someday to ask for your advise about a "real" system.

 

[3x10^8]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009FUAFQ/sr=1-1/qid=1144131156/ref=sr_1_1/103-6764793-7859847?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=audio-video

Here's an option. I know it's a little outside of the budget, but hey, look at it this way... She would defiinitely be the coolest kid on the block.

try to find a store around that carries the boombox and listen before you purchase.

 

[markw]

IMNSHO, for what you describe...

...I'd spend a few minutes at WallyWorld and other big box stores and take a quick listen to those plastic three (or four) piece "portable" systems and go woth the one that meets your needs and sounds best. Make sure it plays MP3s if that's critical but I wouldn't go out of my way to make sure it plays cassettes. I don't think kids care about those anymore, if they even know what they are.

These may be big and ugly, but they can pump out a lot of sound for a small price.

I recommend these for lazy and/or technically challanged friends for outdoor use who don't want to bother with running speakers and wire nowadays. They tend to be cheaper and easier overall and can provide more than satisfying sound without all the complexity of wiring, zones, selectors, controls, etc....

 

[BMXTRIX]

Why not something like this (hope link works)
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7016695&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat40200050002&id=1099393829210

The Insignia DVD/surround setup. Very cool if it is going into a bedroom as it gives her the ability to move into video later on if she wants to and have decent sound for the money and the ability to add additional components like a stand alone MP3 player (pick a brand) or play back MP3s on CDs directly, etc. It isn't 'great' but it is far more than just a boom box and can deliver sound that should really fill the room it is in up nicely.

Plus, it is cheap, but nice enough to take onto college or elsewhere as a 'first' system. Cheap, but decent for the cash and much more fun and capable than your average boombox.

Note: There are some lesser expensive ones at Circuit City as well...
http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/catOid/-13325/N/20012866+20012884+20013325/link/ref/rpem/ccd/categorylist.do

 

[jonnythan]

Whatever you get her, just make sure that it plays MP3 CD's

Something like this is perfect IMO:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sharp-Shelf-System-XL-UH240-/sem/rpsm/oid/144805/catOid/-12951/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do