JVC MX-KC4 CD Mini Audio System
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- Playable Disk Types: CD (Audio) CD-R CD-RW
- Number of Discs: 3
- Sound Type: Stereo
- Functions: CD Player Cassette Deck
- Output Power: 360 Watt
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Unbelievable sound, bass and features for CHEAP!
Pros
Great sound and bass; Random plays MP3s. Nice quality. Powerful. Low price.
Cons
No customizable EQ and most of the few presets are useless.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
You can't beat this system for twice the price! Much better than similar Sony or Panasonic products!
My great old Aiwa bi-amped stereo (with built-in subs) finally gave up the ghost...so I started doing my research to see it I could find something to replace it, without spending a small fortune. Believe me, I looked at EVERYTHING! -from Bose and Cambridge to Sony. I was in despair, as there didn't seem to be any good systems out there that satisfied my criteria.
I wanted something that has good sound and good bass, but without a seperate subwoofer- that plays MP3s and has a cassette deck (I still have most of my classical collection on cassette); that looks like it will last longer than a week and doesn't cost a fortune.
Enter the JVC MX-KC4: There wasn't alot of info or reviews out there on this model...but it seemed to have everything I was looking for, and seeing as it could be ordered from Circuit City for $134 with free shipping, I figured I'd take a chance.
It arrived last week....and I had it set up in less than five minutes...and all I can say is that I am AMAZED at what I got for the price I paid!
The sound is GREAT! It's one shortcoming is that it does not have a customizable equalizer- and the pre-set EQ is rather limited- basically, I just keep the "Rythym Ax" turned on, and the EQ on "rock" and I'm happy. (And it sure beats the Bose- a $500 radio that offers NO adjustments other than volume!).
I listen to a wide variety of music- everything from classical to big band to rock/pop of the 70's & 80's, and everything sounds great on this system.
This system does not seem to be fussy about CDs or MP3 playback- I had an MP3 disc that's a few years old....and I popped it in when I first got this system, and it played it flawlessly.
The MX-KC4 will even random play (shuffle play) MP3s- which is a rarity...especially on a system for this price! It also has a sleep timer; wake-up timer and recording timer, in addition to the random play, programmed play, etc.
The only criticism I have of this system, is that the bass can be a little weak* at lower volume levels [*= if you're a real bass addict. For most people, even at low volume, the bass is more than adequate and better than any other non-subbed system]. If you frequently play music at low volume- say around 25% or less, you might be disappointed and want to go for a unit with a seperate sub- but as soon as you turn the volume up a bit, the bass is as good as many subwoofered units, and the overall sound is better than any of the subwoofered systems I have seen in the $200 and under price range. You can feel the air puffing from the speaker ports even at 30% volume! (This system definitely has better bass than ANY other non-subwoofer system!)
This baby even looks like it'll last quite a while. The main cabinet is made of metal(!) and it's not cheap or cheesey feeling. Again, very surprising for something in this price range.
Overall, you can not go wrong with this system! When my old unit died, I had bought a Panasonic system at Wal*Mart that was in the same class as this stereo- but i returned it the very next day! (and it actually cost a few dollars more than the JVC!).
I think you'd be hard pressed to find the sound quality and features that this system offers for twice the price! I didn't think I'd be able to find something in this price range that could replace my old bi-amped Aiwa- but I think this JVC actually surpasses it! (the only real advantage the bi-amp had was in producing artificially deep bass at even the lowest volumes)
If you're looking for a good system in the $200 and under price range....buy this JVC- you too will be amazed!
The dual cassette decks even sound great and work fine. There's no auto-reverse, but that's fine by me- less to go wrong. And both decks are full-logic- another rarity these days. I can't tell you anything about the radio- as I don't listen to it (it's hard to believe anybody does!) and I never even bothered connecting the antenna. (As far as I'm concerned, why even continue to put receivers in these things?).
BUY THIS ONE!- As far as I'm concerned, there is NO other stereo for under $250 that can match this baby- and even some of the much more expensive systems would have a hard job surpassing the MX-KC4.
UPDATE: I've had this system for nine months now- and still LOVE it. Have not had any problems or complaints. 90% of my music is MP3 discs now...and i have not had one problem playing any disc. Well-done, JVC!!! (Did I mention I love this thing?)
I wanted something that has good sound and good bass, but without a seperate subwoofer- that plays MP3s and has a cassette deck (I still have most of my classical collection on cassette); that looks like it will last longer than a week and doesn't cost a fortune.
Enter the JVC MX-KC4: There wasn't alot of info or reviews out there on this model...but it seemed to have everything I was looking for, and seeing as it could be ordered from Circuit City for $134 with free shipping, I figured I'd take a chance.
It arrived last week....and I had it set up in less than five minutes...and all I can say is that I am AMAZED at what I got for the price I paid!
The sound is GREAT! It's one shortcoming is that it does not have a customizable equalizer- and the pre-set EQ is rather limited- basically, I just keep the "Rythym Ax" turned on, and the EQ on "rock" and I'm happy. (And it sure beats the Bose- a $500 radio that offers NO adjustments other than volume!).
I listen to a wide variety of music- everything from classical to big band to rock/pop of the 70's & 80's, and everything sounds great on this system.
This system does not seem to be fussy about CDs or MP3 playback- I had an MP3 disc that's a few years old....and I popped it in when I first got this system, and it played it flawlessly.
The MX-KC4 will even random play (shuffle play) MP3s- which is a rarity...especially on a system for this price! It also has a sleep timer; wake-up timer and recording timer, in addition to the random play, programmed play, etc.
The only criticism I have of this system, is that the bass can be a little weak* at lower volume levels [*= if you're a real bass addict. For most people, even at low volume, the bass is more than adequate and better than any other non-subbed system]. If you frequently play music at low volume- say around 25% or less, you might be disappointed and want to go for a unit with a seperate sub- but as soon as you turn the volume up a bit, the bass is as good as many subwoofered units, and the overall sound is better than any of the subwoofered systems I have seen in the $200 and under price range. You can feel the air puffing from the speaker ports even at 30% volume! (This system definitely has better bass than ANY other non-subwoofer system!)
This baby even looks like it'll last quite a while. The main cabinet is made of metal(!) and it's not cheap or cheesey feeling. Again, very surprising for something in this price range.
Overall, you can not go wrong with this system! When my old unit died, I had bought a Panasonic system at Wal*Mart that was in the same class as this stereo- but i returned it the very next day! (and it actually cost a few dollars more than the JVC!).
I think you'd be hard pressed to find the sound quality and features that this system offers for twice the price! I didn't think I'd be able to find something in this price range that could replace my old bi-amped Aiwa- but I think this JVC actually surpasses it! (the only real advantage the bi-amp had was in producing artificially deep bass at even the lowest volumes)
If you're looking for a good system in the $200 and under price range....buy this JVC- you too will be amazed!
The dual cassette decks even sound great and work fine. There's no auto-reverse, but that's fine by me- less to go wrong. And both decks are full-logic- another rarity these days. I can't tell you anything about the radio- as I don't listen to it (it's hard to believe anybody does!) and I never even bothered connecting the antenna. (As far as I'm concerned, why even continue to put receivers in these things?).
BUY THIS ONE!- As far as I'm concerned, there is NO other stereo for under $250 that can match this baby- and even some of the much more expensive systems would have a hard job surpassing the MX-KC4.
UPDATE: I've had this system for nine months now- and still LOVE it. Have not had any problems or complaints. 90% of my music is MP3 discs now...and i have not had one problem playing any disc. Well-done, JVC!!! (Did I mention I love this thing?)
