Rating: 
Summary: Somebody finally got it right!
Review: A few months ago I went searching for a decent boombox or small sound system for my home office. I couldn't find anything I really liked and settled on a midsize boombox. After a week I was so disgusted that I returned it (sorry, Sony - the tuner was that bad!). I tried this system out in the store and was extremely pleased. It tunes in all the stations I want and then some. The tuner has a great auto station preset feature. The sound is excellent for the size - actually very enjoyable. It doesn't sound 'cheap'. It has good bass and treble (both separate and adjustable). The MUTE button is great to have when the phone rings. A readable backlit display, intelligently designed remote, 3-CD changer (1 gets old fast), tape player and other bells and whistles round out the system. It's beautiful too. All I can say is 'Way to go, Philips!'
Rating: 
Summary: CD changer problem
Review: After a lot of research (including reading information on this site), I bought this system. After setting it up, the CD changer drawer refused to open. It seemed like it was jammed. I never did get it to open and am returning the product.I had noticed in a store that the mechanism was a revolving setup that seemed complicated and perhaps prone to breakage. A random defect or a design flaw? Now I am not sure whether to exchange this for another one or get something different. Other minuses include the tiny button size and the fact that the CDs takes a long time to start or for the CD drawer to start - I noticed this in the store. All I want is a simple durable design with excellent sound - and it sounded great in the store.
Rating: 
Summary: Very pleased, except for the changer noise
Review: Great product, very satisfied in everything, except that the noise in changing cd's is a little loud.
Rating: 
Summary: Great sound - horrible set-up and instructions
Review: I bought this for my elderly father (87). I set the unit up for him, but the manual was so confusing I had to call Phillips for help. The manual that comes with the MC-50 is for THREE separate stereos, so trying to figure out which instructions pertains to the MC-50 and which do not is difficult. The buttons on the remote are confusing; the labels are not in the right places.
The sound quality is good, however, the cd-changers clang away which I found quite annoying. In the past I've liked Phillips products, but if this unit had been for myself, I would have returned it.
Rating:
Summary: very nice
Review: I bought this system for my mother. It comes with a fat little manual but she figured out everything on her own in a few minutes. It's compact and won't overwhelm your room. It's easy to use and most important of all, it has a great sound. The radio is better than all of the other compact systems I've tested adn the 3 CD changer works perfectly. It's a great little system for a bedroom or den. My mom is delighted with it and I was satisfied that I got the best system for my money.
Rating: 
Summary: Several significant annoyances
Review: I bought this system for use as an alarm clock as well as a mini audio system in my bedroom. Based on several issues, I've decided to return it. 1. The panel is way too bright. At its brightest setting you could easily read a book. At its dimmest, it still casts significant light. 2. The clock itself is too small to read unless you're very close to it. 3. The speaker cables are very short - 6 feet?, and they don't detach from the speakers, so they can't be replaced. 4. The CD mechanism is very loud, slow and clunky. 5. The buttons on the remote are small, mostly identical, and poorly labeled. 6. Sound is OK, but not impressive. If you have no intention of using the alarm functionality and don't might the brightness, it may be an OK choice, but I wouldn't recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Great Product
Review: I can pretty much echo all of the positive things people have said about this system. The sound is wonderful and the look is stylish. Initially, I was looking for an alarm clock that would allow me to wake up to CDs, but wanted more sound than the typical alarm clock offered. In the time I've used it, I have grown to love the "wake up" timer feature--it is a little hard to learn how to use at first, but after awhile it sinks right in. There is even a snooze button. There is also a great sleep feature. I agree with the reviewer who complained about the dim backlight. The lowest setting is a bit brighter and I wish the backlight turned off as well. In addition, the CD Changer mechanism is definately "clunky", but let's not forget this is a lower end system. Phillips decided instead to focus on the sound and style, and having experienced those things, I don't mind the clunky changer. And those are the only two gripes I have.
Rating:
Summary: A Great little system for a good price.
Review: I did a lot of research and much testing at the stores before deciding on the Philips MC50 system. It is a very nice system for the price. It has separate bass and treble controls, which many of the pricer compact systems did not have. The bottom end bass is surprisingly rich for such small speakers, and the subwoofer output is a nice extra, for bigger rooms. The style is attractive and the sound is very good. What more could you ask for from an inexpensive 50-watt system? I am very happy with my purchase. The remote is comfortable and well designed for easy use. The clock and timer/alarm is a nice feature if the system will be in a bedroom. For a meager 50-watt system, this one can get LOUD...but still retains nice clear sound. The surround sound feature is nice if you run a DVD player into the AUX input (which is what I did). Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Terrible Buy
Review: I have gotten 2 of these stereo systems by 2 different companies; Sony and Panasonic. I've returned them both. The same manufacturer MUST produce these, they are nearly identical. They claim they play both writable and rewritable CD's; but they don't play either; they skip and snag through the whole thing. The changing mechanism is loud and clumsy (I'd be afraid that would break quickly). I have not tried the Philips, but like I said, they are identical to the one Sony uses and Panasonic. They look nice, great for a kitchen or bedroom and that's their draw; but if you're looking for a reliable, long-lasting system that will play your mixed CD's; they are worthless.
Rating:
Summary: Love it
Review: I just bought the Philips MC-50 and I love it! Excellent sound quality and nice design. I bought it after returning the SONY MHC-MG110 model back to the store (the one that comes with 60 CDs, 150 watts...whatever ! it didn't cut it for me) because of the poor sound quality. I am very satisfied with my Philips MC-50, and by the way it comes with regular "treble" and "bass" buttons and no stupid preset equalizer settings.
Philips MC-50===>Great Quality, Great Design, Great Price
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