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Sony CMT-CQ1 Micro System
Average Customer Rating
(5.0 out of 5)
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Most Helpful First | Newest First | + ShareAmazing sound for its size and price tag !
(5 out of 5) by Metallian on Jun 7, 2007Due to lack of space, I had been searching for a small home stereo, with above all very good sound to it. When it comes to sound, I am an absolute audiophile, being the owner of a several thousand Euros expensive high end stereo, one could claim that I have been very spoiled, regarding sound in general. So after the usual sound-check at different audio stores I came across this small stereo. When the shop keeper showed it to me, my first reaction was, oh no, a Sony: It will never have a good sound, knowing full and well that this company has for decades specialized in mass consumption equipment. But my initial skepticism was literally blown away, when I put my CD into the neat loading mechanism of this unit.
The first thing, besides the stylish -if at times seemingly somewhat akward- design, was the really clear sound that this little thing produced. I have been around when it comes to HiFi equipment and have seen my fair share of things out there, but even still to this day it always amazes me, how in the world such a small unit, and thus amplifier can produce such an overall clear and dynamic sound? I know of no other company or model, that could compete with this size - sound quality combination. And that its normal price of $ 268 is downright incredibly cheap. Needless to say, that I actually bought it NEW for Half the price. But looking back, would it ever stop working, I wouldn't for a moment hesitate and buy it again, even at the normal price, cause even at that price for its sound quality, its simply dirt cheap and unbeatable.
By the way, 90% of the CDs that I have played on it are burned ones (copies), and I never had a problem with that. Despite these features, it even allows you to connect an MD Player (Mini Disk), and on top of this the real highlight is that you can easily connected it to any Computer, all that is required is the purchase of a seperate cable (and perhaps 2 very small adapters for the unit). I have tested it in this way and the sound when played through the stored music on my PC still sounds really good, although, as expected, not as good as when playing CDs, but the difference isen't usually too big, as it always depends on the sound version of the downloads one is using.
The speakers may look a bit akward to some, but they are really a steal for their sound, especially considering that they are only 2 way speakers. The treble is solid and really good, medium range very clear and audible, while the bass might be a bit unclear, but then again always remember that (a) this is coming from an audiophile who is used to listening to a serveral thousand Euros expensive high end stereo and (b) that you also have an equalizer that can be operated via the remote control. The unit also has an extra bass boost sound button, for those that like excessive bass in general.
This stereo, besides having a nice radio / tuner, also has several neat features, for ex. it allows you to wake up to music, and to adjust how much music you want to listen to before going to sleep. You can choose between a time span of 10-90 minutes, after which the unit will turn itself off. Even an Ipod or a tape deck can be connected to this unit !
So for the price this thing really rocks, this statement comes from an avid Metal fan, by the way. The amplifier certainly isen't the mightiest, myself being used to an amp that has 2 x 200 watts per channel at 8 Ohm. This unit has only 10 watts per channel at 4 Ohm, but the good news is that even when turned up all the way it is usually loud enough in a medium size room, and most important it dosen't start to produce static at that maxium volume level, thus, it retains a clear sound.
To sum it up, this is a fabulous little stereo with excellent sound to it, at a price that, as far as I know, is simply unbeatable. Go enjoy it, while you test it at your local audio shop !
The first thing, besides the stylish -if at times seemingly somewhat akward- design, was the really clear sound that this little thing produced. I have been around when it comes to HiFi equipment and have seen my fair share of things out there, but even still to this day it always amazes me, how in the world such a small unit, and thus amplifier can produce such an overall clear and dynamic sound? I know of no other company or model, that could compete with this size - sound quality combination. And that its normal price of $ 268 is downright incredibly cheap. Needless to say, that I actually bought it NEW for Half the price. But looking back, would it ever stop working, I wouldn't for a moment hesitate and buy it again, even at the normal price, cause even at that price for its sound quality, its simply dirt cheap and unbeatable.
By the way, 90% of the CDs that I have played on it are burned ones (copies), and I never had a problem with that. Despite these features, it even allows you to connect an MD Player (Mini Disk), and on top of this the real highlight is that you can easily connected it to any Computer, all that is required is the purchase of a seperate cable (and perhaps 2 very small adapters for the unit). I have tested it in this way and the sound when played through the stored music on my PC still sounds really good, although, as expected, not as good as when playing CDs, but the difference isen't usually too big, as it always depends on the sound version of the downloads one is using.
The speakers may look a bit akward to some, but they are really a steal for their sound, especially considering that they are only 2 way speakers. The treble is solid and really good, medium range very clear and audible, while the bass might be a bit unclear, but then again always remember that (a) this is coming from an audiophile who is used to listening to a serveral thousand Euros expensive high end stereo and (b) that you also have an equalizer that can be operated via the remote control. The unit also has an extra bass boost sound button, for those that like excessive bass in general.
This stereo, besides having a nice radio / tuner, also has several neat features, for ex. it allows you to wake up to music, and to adjust how much music you want to listen to before going to sleep. You can choose between a time span of 10-90 minutes, after which the unit will turn itself off. Even an Ipod or a tape deck can be connected to this unit !
So for the price this thing really rocks, this statement comes from an avid Metal fan, by the way. The amplifier certainly isen't the mightiest, myself being used to an amp that has 2 x 200 watts per channel at 8 Ohm. This unit has only 10 watts per channel at 4 Ohm, but the good news is that even when turned up all the way it is usually loud enough in a medium size room, and most important it dosen't start to produce static at that maxium volume level, thus, it retains a clear sound.
To sum it up, this is a fabulous little stereo with excellent sound to it, at a price that, as far as I know, is simply unbeatable. Go enjoy it, while you test it at your local audio shop !
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Sony Style !
(4 out of 5) by Steven D. Millard on Dec 5, 2004 (Wales, UK)A fantastic looking device, compact, with a wonderfully robotic top/front loading CD. A very clear sound but not a very powerful bass; the style makes up for that! I bought this to go with a 28" TV - it has input and output jack plug connections, and I thought it would add to the TV's stereo effects. The only problem I discovered, is that the speaker cables are barely a metre long (not enough to go around the TV), and I haven't managed to get specific extension cables for it. A disappointment if you want to position you speakers somewhere near to the correct distance apart in order to get a basic stereo effect. Never mind, at least it sounds good and, of course, looks amazing.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
Sony makes the grade, again.
(5 out of 5) by M. Dickens on Jul 8, 2004 (MK,UK)Wonderfully stylish silver micro system with astonishing sound for the size and price. You expect quality and style from Sony and here you get plenty of both. Operation is smooth, quiet and intuitive. Not the most powerful system but will operate at full volume without any distortion. Plenty good enough for small to medium sized rooms. A thing of beauty!
19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
Amazing
(5 out of 5) by Amazon Customer on Feb 3, 2004Looks amazing, sounds even better, you just want to sit and watch it open and close! looks better in white! and i just love the oval speakers....another gr8 product fom sony!
speaker wire could do with being about 10 cms longer tho!