the TOP 10 Mini Systems - Music & Hi-fi - 16/11/2008
all of the TOP tens are available to buy on amazon.co.uk and amazon.com - just click on the item to buy
Mini Systems
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Review for Sony - CMT-HX70BT CD/MP3/USB Bluetooth Micro System:
Sony - CMT-HX70BT CD/MP3/USB Bluetooth Micro System
New Price:
£185.00
Review for Sony - CMT-HX70BT CD/MP3/USB Bluetooth Micro System:
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Review for Vita Audio R1-GLOSS-RED Dab / Fm Radio In High Gloss Red Lacquer:
The control system is simple, smooth and intuitive. Styling is discrete, and with the unit's diminutive size, blends effortlessly into any environment. Tuning to every DAB station is accomplished with one touch of a single button. The sound is refined and full, though with perhaps a touch of hardness in the upper vocal range when listened to directly on axis. Despite the small box size, bass control is good and extension reasonable. Volume is sufficient to fill a decent sized room, but look elsewhere if you need something suitable for a dance party. Unlike some other radios, the unit is solidly built, and will not rattle or buzz even with rock music at full volume.
Connecting the iPod via the auxiliary socket on the front panel likewise gives excellent results.
Highly recommended.
Vita Audio R1-GLOSS-RED Dab / Fm Radio In High Gloss Red Lacquer
New Price:
£149.95
Review for Vita Audio R1-GLOSS-RED Dab / Fm Radio In High Gloss Red Lacquer:
The best table radio in the UK 2008? Great with the iPod too.
I listened to pretty much every table radio before I bought the R1, and there's nothing better out there (IMHO). I also listened to pretty much every iPod speaker system, and while there may be better (the Fatman for instance) there's nothing to beat the R1 at this price or close to this size.The control system is simple, smooth and intuitive. Styling is discrete, and with the unit's diminutive size, blends effortlessly into any environment. Tuning to every DAB station is accomplished with one touch of a single button. The sound is refined and full, though with perhaps a touch of hardness in the upper vocal range when listened to directly on axis. Despite the small box size, bass control is good and extension reasonable. Volume is sufficient to fill a decent sized room, but look elsewhere if you need something suitable for a dance party. Unlike some other radios, the unit is solidly built, and will not rattle or buzz even with rock music at full volume.
Connecting the iPod via the auxiliary socket on the front panel likewise gives excellent results.
Highly recommended.
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Review for Teac CR-H 255 Home Audio System:
But in addition I find I have a few radio programmes I like to record onto stick (Bob Harris Radio 2). With a 1GB stick you can leave it running all night, it makes a sequence of MP3 files of 90 minutes each. Then load onto PC, and listen. (I use Goldwave shareware but there are loads of others). When I find tracks worth keeping, I can cut them out to separate MP3 files and save. Brill.
I also play a tape deck into it, record those onto USB and edit: so my obsolete tapes get a new lease of life as MP3s.
I agree with the other reviewers who found faulty clocks. I didn't bother going for repair, I just put up with it. It's amazing that a fault in such a simple component of electronics should have escaped initial quality control as well as defeating their after-sales repair service. But it is a small wrinkle on a good piece of kit, and is the only reason I can't confer five stars.
Teac CR-H 255 Home Audio System
New Price:
£228.99
Review for Teac CR-H 255 Home Audio System:
I like the USB feature
To add what might seem obvious: the ability to record onto USB memory sticks is brilliant. I actually overlooked this when I bought it last year: I was simply looking for a small unit which could play home-made MP3 CDs (which it can) and DAB.But in addition I find I have a few radio programmes I like to record onto stick (Bob Harris Radio 2). With a 1GB stick you can leave it running all night, it makes a sequence of MP3 files of 90 minutes each. Then load onto PC, and listen. (I use Goldwave shareware but there are loads of others). When I find tracks worth keeping, I can cut them out to separate MP3 files and save. Brill.
I also play a tape deck into it, record those onto USB and edit: so my obsolete tapes get a new lease of life as MP3s.
I agree with the other reviewers who found faulty clocks. I didn't bother going for repair, I just put up with it. It's amazing that a fault in such a simple component of electronics should have escaped initial quality control as well as defeating their after-sales repair service. But it is a small wrinkle on a good piece of kit, and is the only reason I can't confer five stars.
69
Review for Sony CMTHX5BT Bluetooth Hifi System:
Sony CMTHX5BT Bluetooth Hifi System
Used Price:
£119.00
Review for Sony CMTHX5BT Bluetooth Hifi System:
Works like a charm
Does exactly what is. Works perfectly streaming from lap top or mobile. Much easier that Wi-Fi streaming or using a squeezebox.70
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iLuv I199 High-Fidelity Mini Hi Fi System (Supports All New iPods) with Bluepin Technology - Black
Our Price:
£140.00 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details & conditions
Used Price:
£109.99
New Price:
£130.00
73
Review for Sony - CMT-EH10 MP3 Micro System:
The only feature which did not meet my expectations is the radio presets, this is fiddly to set up, and the lack of 'numerals' on the remote keypad means that you have to scroll through all of the presets to find the one required, but then you can make your favourite channels within the first allocations. Also the cassette 'play' button on my unit is a little stiff to operate and requires a bit more force than I would have expected from a reputable company.
[...]
Sony - CMT-EH10 MP3 Micro System
New Price:
£65.00
Review for Sony - CMT-EH10 MP3 Micro System:
A good 'shelf top' compact Hi-Fi
I purchased this unit to replace a similar (broken) but where one of the main criteria was that it would fit the limited space I have on a shelf. As a compact unit the sound quality is very good and I have this in use in a conservatory, not noted for good acoustics. However I am not a not a Hi Fi expert, but I do appreciate a good quality of sound reproduction. I do not have a MP3 or i-Pod so I have been unable to test this feature.The only feature which did not meet my expectations is the radio presets, this is fiddly to set up, and the lack of 'numerals' on the remote keypad means that you have to scroll through all of the presets to find the one required, but then you can make your favourite channels within the first allocations. Also the cassette 'play' button on my unit is a little stiff to operate and requires a bit more force than I would have expected from a reputable company.
[...]
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Yamaha NS-P440 5.1 Digital Home Theatre Speaker Sytem -Black
Our Price:
£182.85 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details & conditions
New Price:
£168.00
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Yamaha AX-397 Integrated 60W x 2 Stereo Hi Fi Amplifier - Titanium
Our Price:
£207.68 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details & conditions
Used Price:
£147.25
New Price:
£207.68
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Mini Systems, Samsung - HT-A100W 2.1 DVD/DivX HDMI/USB Home Cinema System, Sony - CMT-HX70BT CD/MP3/USB Bluetooth Micro System, Samsung - HT-BD2 Blu-Ray 7.1 Home Cinema System, Onkyo CR-525DAB (Black) all-in-one CD / DAB radio / amp (inc front USB input) + Q Acoustics 1010i speakers (Black) + 2 x 5m Creative Audio Speaker cable with 4mm plugs. 2 Year Guarantee, Docking Entertainment System DCM230 Docking Entertainment System Home Audio & Video Portable Audio, Vita Audio R1-GLOSS-RED Dab / Fm Radio In High Gloss Red Lacquer, Onkyo CR-525DAB (Silver) all-in-one CD / DAB radio / amp (inc front USB input) + Q Acoustics 1010i speakers (Cherry) + 2 x 5m Creative Audio Speaker cable with 4mm plugs. 2 Year Guarantee., Teac CR-H 255 Home Audio System, Sony CMTHX5BT Bluetooth Hifi System, KENWOOD - M-505USB CD/Cassette/MP3/USB Micro System - Black, KENWOOD - M-505USB CD/Cassette/MP3/USB Micro System - Silver, iLuv I199 High-Fidelity Mini Hi Fi System (Supports All New iPods) with Bluepin Technology - Black, Sony - CMT-EH10 MP3 Micro System, Onkyo CR-525DAB (Silver) all-in-one CD / DAB radio / amp (inc front USB input) + Q Acoustics 1010i speakers (Black) + 2 x 5m Creative Audio Speaker cable with 4mm plugs. 2 Year Guarantee., Yamaha NS-P440 5.1 Digital Home Theatre Speaker Sytem -Black, LG - FB-162 DVD/DivX/MP3/USB Mini Hifi System, Yamaha AX-397 Integrated 60W x 2 Stereo Hi Fi Amplifier - Titanium, Party (UK)
, Samsung - HT-A100W 2.1 DVD/DivX HDMI/USB Home Cinema System, Sony - CMT-HX70BT CD/MP3/USB Bluetooth Micro System, Samsung - HT-BD2 Blu-Ray 7.1 Home Cinema System, Onkyo CR-525DAB (Black) all-in-one CD / DAB radio / amp (inc front USB input) + Q Acoustics 1010i speakers (Black) + 2 x 5m Creative Audio Speaker cable with 4mm plugs. 2 Year Guarantee, Docking Entertainment System DCM230 Docking Entertainment System Home Audio & Video Portable Audio, Vita Audio R1-GLOSS-RED Dab / Fm Radio In High Gloss Red Lacquer, Onkyo CR-525DAB (Silver) all-in-one CD / DAB radio / amp (inc front USB input) + Q Acoustics 1010i speakers (Cherry) + 2 x 5m Creative Audio Speaker cable with 4mm plugs. 2 Year Guarantee., Teac CR-H 255 Home Audio System, Sony CMTHX5BT Bluetooth Hifi System, KENWOOD - M-505USB CD/Cassette/MP3/USB Micro System - Black, KENWOOD - M-505USB CD/Cassette/MP3/USB Micro System - Silver, iLuv I199 High-Fidelity Mini Hi Fi System (Supports All New iPods) with Bluepin Technology - Black, Sony - CMT-EH10 MP3 Micro System, Onkyo CR-525DAB (Silver) all-in-one CD / DAB radio / amp (inc front USB input) + Q Acoustics 1010i speakers (Black) + 2 x 5m Creative Audio Speaker cable with 4mm plugs. 2 Year Guarantee., Yamaha NS-P440 5.1 Digital Home Theatre Speaker Sytem -Black, LG - FB-162 DVD/DivX/MP3/USB Mini Hifi System, Yamaha AX-397 Integrated 60W x 2 Stereo Hi Fi Amplifier - Titanium, Party (UK)
Sony - CMT-HX70BTR
CD player excellent, Ipod docking cradle works well, Tuner fine but probably needs a better VHF aerial, Speakers: good size, quality and sound. Overall quality of system 5 stars, first class