Home > Consumer Reviews > Panasonic SC-EN38DB - Desktop Dab Micro System With Direct iPod Docking

Ordered one for my daughter's Christmas present and couldn't resist a little play beforehand. First impressions are that it has several enhanced features over its predecessor (we also have an SA-EN29, which has been reliably chugging away in the kitchen for a couple of years), including USB connectivity (for PC), Bluetooth connection port (eg for wirelessly connecting to a mobile phone's audio files - adapter required) and an iPod dock. And of course, this version features both DAB & FM receivers. The front panel is virtually completely flat (unless you have the iPod dock in use or the lower control compartment open) which makes for a smart, 'clean' and functional design, especially when used in conjunction with the remote. The unit does an initial station scan the first time DAB is selected and in my case it immediately found 37 stations. Another improvement over our other unit is that the mains supply is now integral, obviating the need for a separate power adaptor. My only criticism, and it's a minor one, is that I'd have positioned the 'Aux input' on the rear and the 'Headphone out' on the front, rather than the other way round, purely for ease of use. So that's about it. If you're in the market for a decent micro system (with a DAB radio and 5 ways to play MP3 files!) then you could do a lot worse than choosing this one.

My sister owns this hifi system and I must say it is really nice looking. Its design and layout is beautiful, it looks very good when set up fully. The sound that comes out of it is in my opinion excellent, I do not think it sounds tinny at all - you have an EQ aswell to give your music a little boost with (i think) 4 options so when I've got my rnb on I switch it to the 'soft' EQ and the bass becomes the main sound. When your using a CD the motorised case/cover thing for it lifts up by the press of a button, very impressive! At the bottom is a panel and if you push down it opens up to show you the play/pause/ff etc buttons (a remote is included also) but aswell as this there is a usb port and a line-in jack for your mp3 players. Personally I use my 4gb memory stick, plug it into the usb port and it plays my music without the need of an expensive mp3 player. However you can always use your CD, mp3 player or put your ipod in the dock which pops out beside the CD place when you press down on the panel. So if your looking for a nice micro hifi system to stick in your room then this is the one! I'm even buying my own so I dont have to use my sisters! By the way my sister has the model beneath this one which is basically the same but it has no DAB radio.

i have just received this unit and tried it for an hour. While all the features work pretty well the sound is unbelievably poor and not a notch on the 8 year old JVC microsystem that it was going to replace. I will be seeing whether I can send it back and get my money back. I am not an audiophile but if you like hearing music sound even slightly realistic then avoid this unit. Today I am bitterly disappointed! (NB if you think this review may be unfair try to find others than the three I read).

I couldn't wait to get this micro system out of the box - I set it up within five minutes, and played a selection of tunes from my iPod, and from CD. Superb sound quality - sounds almost as good as surround sound! Very easy to use. I will spend a few minutes this weekend setting up the aerials so that I can use the DAB and FM radios.
Well done Panasonic - another great piece of kit!!

I wanted a product with DAB radio and an ipod dock and not spend the earth as it was for the spare room / son's bedroom. At this end of the market, for under 120 quid, there isn't a lot to choose from. It could do with a little more power but it's loud enough, the dab reception is fine but much improved with a proper aerial and it has a cd player to boot. If you want denon quality, you spend denon money. I am more than happy with this for the money I spent. Recommended especially for those who don't feel the need to pop their eardrums!