JVC FS-SD9 Executive Microsystem

Rating:
Summary: I must have got a lemon
Review: Although the sound quality with this device is excellent, the CD player leaves much to be desired. The motorized door and flashing light become annoying after a while. But that's nothing compared to the bigger problems I had. After a few blissful months of enjoying this unit, my CD's began rubbing on something inside the spin-chamber, which made an awful racket. I finally figured out it was part of the plastic flange that makes up the base of the chamber. This is a terrible design flaw. JVC intended for the CD to "hover" about one hundreth of an inch above this little plastic flange(which servers no purpose that I can tell) not realizing that the little springs that float the CD will eventually break-in (lose a little springiness) and cause the CD to ride a tiny bit lower. Result? CD's rub on the flange! I had to cut some of this useless plasic away with an exacto knife to fix the problem. It worked fine again, for a while ... About six months later, the CD player began skipping. I thought my CD's were dirty, but they weren't. I carefully cleaned the lens and that seemed to help at first, but pretty soon the problem got worse and then cleaning didn't help any. Now it skips repeatedly on every CD I try to play. I finally got fed-up, so today I bought a Bose CD Wave Radio to replace this one. The sound quality is just as good, perhaps a little bit better, and (from the Bose reputation) the CD player should be more reliable. Over all, it appears to be better designed. Hopefully, I won't have to attack it with an exacto knife.

Rating:
Summary: Elegant Sound
Review: Beatifully designed. Provides colorful sound with ample power for any living room or modest garden.
Its a bit stingy on the treble side.
Overall, compared to the UX-1000 (FS-1000 in the States) I bought a couple of years ago, I find the latter provides a better musical balance as well as a more straightforward and user-friendly remote control.
The tuner provides both AM and FM and its performance and stability are excellent.

Rating:
Summary: Stylish Great Sounds!
Review: JVC again delivers great sounds & style.

Testing in typical retail outlets doesn't do justice to the clarity, control, depth, musicality and loudness (without getting ragged in 25 ft x 14 ft room) of this great system, when setup. Details like mini-speaker rubber spikes, and reasonable speaker cable (but have to get co-ax FM aerial yourself) complete the good impression. Downsides- the remote is an ugly grey lump, and I'd have liked a manual-lid-closing as well as button-controlled option. It's not a 'nighclub-thumper' nor up to the quality of a separates system (e.g. NAD/Arcam/Marantz for about 4x the price), but for the money very worthwhile.

Rating:
Summary: Fine compact system that fits on a shelf!
Review: Pros: Compact size, fits on a bookshelf, with surprisingly warm, rich sound, Great Look

Cons: Might want to add a subwoofer, Distortion on higher volume, incompatable with CDRW.

Summary: I was intrigued by its classy round cherry-wood speakers, and its glass motorized cd compartment. The player is a joy to look at. Orange light surrounds the cd and also illuminates the sharp screen that is on front. At night time, this light can be dimmed incase the brightness is bothersome.
The unit has several features. First, it plays cd's. Unfortunately, this unit came out right before the CDRW (CD REWRITABLE) boom and will not play cdrw's. It will, on the other hand, play most CDR's. It only has one cd slot, so dont expect it to be as functional as a changer. Next, it can be used as a standard radio, and receives AM and FM channels rather well with the included antennaes. Thirdly, it as an input for a mini disc player or another external source, like even a computer or television. This is very useful. With an inexpensive cord from radio shack, you can hook up almost any audio component. It also features a nifty remote control so you can control it from across a room. The remote is layed out nicely and is easy to use. A clock and alarm clock is also built in and functions great.

As far as quality, this system is clear as can be. Although its speakers are small, they where able to pack in tiny little subwoofers to give decent bass. An external subwoofer connection is also built into the system, to enhance bass even further. On lower volume levels, the quality is great. Rap, rock, classacal, is all reproduced excellently by the speakers and can easily fill a small to medium sized room with rich full sound. On higher volume levels, the sound is distorted and stresses the speakers, so i recommend that you don't turn the volume above 30.

Overall, great quality, looks, and a brand name I trust makes this a great unit. If you need a system for a small room, get a system with class, and get the JVC FS-SD9.