Panasonic SC-EN5 Executive Microsystem

by Panasonic

Product Details

Product Manual [6.07mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 18.7 x 7.8 inches ; 6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 9 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00008Y1VP
• Item model number: SC-EN5
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #148,481 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Panasonic's SC-EN5 executive microsystem looks as good as it sounds. The CD-based SC-EN5's accent on design and convenience is expressed through its gentle recline, motorized CD tray, and straightforward performance. Features include random, program, repeat CD playback and a digital-synthesized FM/AM tuner with 30 preset (15 FM, 15 AM) memory. A backlit LCD makes it easy to read program and station information.

The CD player offers CD-R/CD-RW compatibility and Panasonic's MASH one-bit digital-to-analog converter for optimal sound reproduction. Sound enhancements include four equalizer settings (d. bass, clear, soft, and vocal) and Panasonic's Live Virtualizer, which energizes sounds in the vocal and mid-frequency ranges.

The tuner offers auto tuning to the 30 most-available stations, and you can use the convenient programmable timer to wake yourself up to a favorite CD or radio station, or merely make sure you never miss an important broadcast.

What's in the Box
Main unit, 2 speakers, remote control, remote batteries, and a user's manual.

Product Description

Motorized Front CD Tray

CD-R/RW Playback

MASH 1-bit D/A Conversion System

Large Backlit LCD

Detachable Speaker Grilles

Multi-function Remote Control Included

Digital Synthesizer Tuner

Memory Preset (Stations): 24 (12 FM/12 AM)

Single CD (Front Loading)

Auto Tuning

Programmable Timer (CD/tuner)

Preset EQ (D. Bass, Clear, Soft, Vocal)

Main Unit Dimensions (inches, W x H x D): 11 23-32 x 7 3/4 x 5 9/16

Main Unit Weight (lbs): 3 lbs, 5 oz

Speaker Dimensions (inches, W x H x D): 3 17/32 x 7 3/4 x 5 29/32

Speaker Weight (lbs): 2 lbs, 10 oz

2-way, 2-speaker system

Multi CD Function: (random, program, repeat)

Live Virtualizer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Only OK; sound = price paid; no good for a bookshelf, September 1, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Panasonic SC-EN5 Executive Microsystem (Electronics)

I hate to rain on the parade of the other reviewers, but I bought this system and returned it. I won't buy another without first going to a retail store to listen to it. I strongly recommend you do so before buying this - I've seen it all over town, even stores like Target. If you like it, buy it from Amazon - their price is better (plus no tax) and even though I have to return it, I love Amazon. Also, they shipped it, for free, well before their "estimated" ship date. Prop's to Amazon.

There are 5 basic problems:
1) The sound is good, but it doesn't fill the room. It is low-power and will sound "great" only if you position the unit right in front of you.
2) It is not clear from the description, but this thing has an automatic door which opens by sliding up. If you want to put this "bookshelf" unit on a bookshelf, you have to allow TWICE its height before the next shelf above - this is a huge amount of wasted space in your bookshelf.
3) This unit has a telescoping FM antenna - no provision to connect an external antenna. Again, on a bookshelf, this is useless. You cannot extend it, and if you try to extend it up and forward, it gets in the way of the up-sliding CD door described in 2). Reception was really lousy so I couldn't use it.
4) It has a clock on the display, but the display is set at least 1" back behind a clear plastic window, and when the unit is not on, the display is de-powered and you cannot see anything. You cannot see the clock when it is off.
5) It has radio presets, but you can only access them sequentially by scrolling forward and backward; this is like almost all boom-boxes and bookshelf units today. The problem is that if you don't set exactly all 12, you still have to scroll through the un-set ones.

Don't expect a bargain - it is exactly worth what it is priced.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great sound to my ears, September 7, 2003

By 

Jadecat (Lake Orion, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Panasonic SC-EN5 Executive Microsystem (Electronics)

I bought this as a birthday present for my husband to take to his office. I set it up at home to see how it sounded, and well, it is staying home now. It's set up in a bedroom, and I think the sound is great. There are four settings to choose from on how you can listen to the music, bass, soft, vocals, and clear. When I have regular rock/top 40 CD's in it, the bass setting is the only one to go with. Classical or jazz music might sound better on a different setting. There is also an equalizer on or off choice, which slightly changes the way it sounds. Their book says that the equalizer on makes music sound more live, although I couldn't really tell. True, those selections are available only with the remote, so you don't want to lose it.
I don't mind how the CD player opens upward, that allows the system to be thinner and more attractive in my opinion. I was worried that when I pushed the buttons on the front of it, that the whole unit would slide backwards from the finger pressure, but it is heavy enough to stay put. It is kind of a bummer you can't read the clock when it is dark, but I bought it for music, not to tell time. It has the ability to work as an alarm clock also and can wake you up to your music setting choice. I like that, as I have set it to play music for 5 minutes as a wake up and then it automatically resets itself to do the same thing the following day. You can also set a sleep timer.
As for playing CD-R's, mine plays one I made on my computer using a standard Memorex CD-R and the Veritas computer program. I'm not thrilled with the antenna sticking up there, as someone else said, but I was able to easily find 12 stations to program. Reception will undoubtably be different for everyone. Overall, I think it is a sweet machine, it made the old AWAI boombox we were using sound like a cheap radio. I might just buy another one to put in the kitchen.........

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good desktop cd player, December 6, 2003

By 

granger (Ithaca, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Panasonic SC-EN5 Executive Microsystem (Electronics)

I think this unit has a nice balance between size and sound for use on a desk. As an audio buff I always check out sound quality. This is a step up from many units you'll find up to about $150. However, this is a 'personal' unit, not meant for room filling sound. Its just very listenable and non-fatiguing. It has a nice sound balance from the bass through the high end. Sound is best with the equalizer turned off - the bass can be heard but its not boomy. The soft setting of the equalizer is nice for background music that won't disturb your concentration. The bass setting is attactive on first listening and ok for room use, but I find it thumpy when sitting at my desk. Ergonomics and subdued appearance are other plusses. There's also an extra input that can be used to hook up to your PC - so you can still hear your MP3s on this unit if you want. The Panasonic five disc changer has better sound but I think its better suited for a bookshelf and use in a small room. But if you're really looking for the best desktop sound and don't mind spending the cash you should check out the better JVC executive systems. This panasonic unit, however, is definitely the best bang for your buck.