Onkyo CBX-300 CD Receiver System by Onkyo
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List Price: Category: Receiver or Amplifier See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Onkyo CBX-300 CD Receiver System
Digital camera Review: Nice three in one
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a great little sound system. I love the fact that it has fm and am radio, a cd player, and is a dock station for ipods. The sound quality is excellent but I would like more base and a little higher volume. Very easy to cart around as well, you do need electricity, player will not operate on batteries. All in all I am extremely satisfied with this product. For the price I have not seen or heard one better.Digital camera Review: No "video out" capability when used with newest iPods
Summary: 3 Stars
I must begin by stating I don't own this product. My comments are based solely on the published specs.
Since getting my 4'th gen Nano I've been looking for a way to conveniently listen to material on it through external speakers. So I've been looking at a lot of "docking FM radio" type products.
The reason I took a pass on this one is because it does not support video out for my Nano 4G. Apple changed the video out capability of the iPod a gen or so previous. The newer iPod's apparently require an Apple authentication chip to enable video out. (For more info try Googling the phrase "ipod locks TV out")
Looking at the specs at www.us.onkyo.com I found the qualification of "audio only" for the iPod Touch, iPod Classic, iPod Nano (3rd gen), and iPhone. (And, of course, this also applies to any iPods newer than these).
Just wanted to point out the "audio only" limitation so others would be aware of it when considering it. Frankly I'm puzzled why the manufacturers do not upgrade their products so that they will work with the newer iPods. But since they often do NOT do this, you have to check the fine print to see if you're getting all the functions you think you are buying.
Digital camera Review: Not a bad radio for your bedside or your office; listen to it before you buy.
Summary: 3 Stars
The featureset of this unit is pretty good but it has nothing more really than the standard CD bedside radio these days. The iPod dock is a nice feature but again, it's not unusual enough to receive a higher than average score. If you are going to use this unit as a bedside alarm clock, be warned! The battery backup keeps only the audio and FM radio presets... when the power goes, the clock resets IMMEDIATELY and your alarms are silenced. There is no battery backup for the clock!!
Your perception of the sound quality depends on your reference point and the type of music you play. If you compare it to your average clock radio, the sound quality is AMAZING! If you compare it to even a modest home theater setup, the bass and the overall dynamic range is underwhelming. As such, I'd suggest this unit for background listening only; critical listeners need not apply! Overall however, the sound is very balanced. It sounds best when you are sitting *directly* in front of it. The strength of high-frequencies drop off noticeably once you sit at an angle so for the best listening experience, set it up where you will be directly in front. The number 1 recommendation I could give for this unit is do not buy it either (a) before you listen to it yourself or (b) you can return it easily with no penalty. Depending on your expectations, you could be disappointed.
BTW, please check the dimensions of your bedside table before you buy this unit.. it's pretty big!
Digital camera Review: Onkyo Review
Summary: 4 Stars
As I was shopping around I noticed the salesman would always use a music cd to demonstrate the sound. As with most stereo receivers it depends on the station or now with HD, which I don't have, the sound quality is ok. With a music cd or mp3 it sounds pretty good. I'm not in a position to critique to any great length, for me it's a nice sounding stereo for what I use it for.Digital camera Review: Solid Well Designed iPod Player
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this item because I was looking for a multi-function iPod player with decent sound that I could sometimes use as an alarm clock. This was the cheapest of the bunch and I've used and liked Onkyo products in the past.
I offer only one cautionary note. Don't even think that this item will replace your home stereo. No portable iPod player will do that. You can only pack so much sound quality in a portable box plus the iPod music files often are 128 mp3s, which don't come close to having decent fidelity. That said, the sound here is more than adequate for listening in a bedroom.
Overall, this is a well designed box and the remote is easy to use. I've put my old 3G iPod in the dock as well as my iPod Touch and they both work fine. Onkyo states up front that the video out on this model is not compatible with iPod Touch videos, but the audio is completely compatible. The ability to play mp3s from a CD is also a nice feature. There are more expensive devices like this out there. I have no idea why you'd spend the extra bucks to buy one. This item is definitely a best buy.
*Note. The week after I wrote this review the price for this item went up 50 percent. It's still a solid piece of equipment, but I would not have bought it at the new price.