Cheap JVC HX-Z1 Compact Stereo System (Electronics) Price

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Customer Reviews of JVC HX-Z1 Compact Stereo System

Scoops, Vents, and Las Vegas Lighting
The scoops, vents, Las Vegas lighting, and cyborg cladding will appeal to mall rats and lane-changers, but don't let the looks fool you. The HX-Z1 sounds just fine with Ozzy, AC-DC, and other parental unit fare. <
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>The speakers are heftier than they look and are finished attractively, except on the back. Each cabinet has two mid/bass drivers flanking a cone tweeter, as well as a side mounted long-throw subwoofer (bass frequencies get progressively more non-directional with each octave drop, so this is not a problem). The speakers are bi-wired, with separate color-coded thin gauge cables for the subwoofers. <
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>Overall, the bass sounds fairly tuneful, especially compared to the one-note thudding that often passes for bass in this price range. The subwoofer output integrates well with the mid/bass drivers, and there is little of that chesty "voice in a barrel" sound peak dilaed in around 100 Hz to conceals a lack of deep bass. I was mildly astonished to measure usable in-room bass response below 30Hz. <
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>The treble is a little hot on-axis, as confirmed by a test disc and SPL meter, though I didn't notice any sibilance. Also, some transformer hum was noticeable in nearfield listening, but it goes away when you sit back more than 4-5 feet. For this reason, and because they are not magnetically shielded, don't place them next to a computer monitor or directly next to a TV set. These speakers like a little room to breathe. <
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>The main unit's control layout is dominated by a bright, cascading fluorescent and LED display that will turn any room into Times Square. The volume knob is helpfully oversized, which makes it easy to locate when aggrieved neighbors pound on the walls. <
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>The subwoofer control has five settings, but only bass freaks will want the seismic subwoofery beyond the middle setting. The remote (model RM-SHXZ3A -- not to be confused with the RM-SHXZ3, I guess) is unexceptional, with an awkwardly located the volume rocker. <
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>The various surround modes (stadium, dance, hall, rock, and classic) are fine if you like that sort of thing, however "off" seems like the best way to hear what the musicians and recording engineers intended. <
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>The 3-drawer CD changer doesn't impress. While it lets you swap out a CD while another plays, the mechanism is slow and makes thrashy noises as it shuttles discs around. It also will occasionally indicate that no disc is present in a drawer when one is in fact loaded correctly. A single-drawer player with fewer histrionics would be preferable, but that would hardly be in keeping with this unit's bigger / badder / louder design philosophy. <
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>BOTTOM LINE <
>This sytem is all about playing clean and loud. And did I mention loud? As for footprint, this isn't exactly a compact system -- think three PC towers. All in all, the HX-Z1 offers extended, well controlled bass at a low price. The uninspiring CD changer tempts me to lower it to 4, but solid value argues for a fifth star.

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Great System!
I just bought this system on Sunday and it is great! Here's what I thought about it:
Looks:4.5/5 I think this stereo looks great and should be displayed, not hidden.

Sound:4.5/5 This system has some deep, room rattling bass. The neighbors got mad at me because they could hear the bass and I didn't even have the volume loud! It can also handle the mids and highs good. The bass is nice and clear and the mids and highs too. Even at high volume it sounds accurate and not disstorted. I hooked up my tv to it and it's awesome. Try playing Halo with this hooked up to the tv.

Price:4/5 I thought the price was excellent
for this system. Not too expensive.

Durability:?/5 I just got it so I don't know how long it will last. It seems to be doing fine.

Display:4.5/5 The display is bright and colorful and also big and easy to read.

Remote:4/5 The remote seemed fine although I don't really care how it looks or feels.

Overall:4.5/5 I think this is a great system for the price. It's especially good for rap and r&b music.

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exellent piece of sound machinery
The speaker system on this unit seems to be beyond what the amplification is able to deliver, it would be wonderful if instead of putting in a large cassette system delete the cassette system altogether and put in a more powerful c.d. package.