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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Versatile System Delivers The Goods, June 9, 2009
I've been listening to my new Sony LBT-ZX66i for the past 3 hours. It does everything it claims to do and does it well. Unlike last year's equivalent model which had a (now obsolete) cassette deck, this year's model gives you a much more useful iPOD dock.(for most full-sized iPODs, such as my iPOD Classic, you can insert your iPOD directly into the LBT-ZX66i's dock. Some older or smaller iPOD's may require an adaptor)
The Sony features a 5-disc carousel-type CD changer, an iPOD dock & AM/FM radio, plus the ability to do Karaoke(there's two microphone inputs via quarter inch plug) and a headphone output which uses full sized quarter inch headphone plug.
This system is powerful and clean, and the "X-Groove" button will provide the outrageous thumping that your disco,rap, hip-hop & Dance music enthusiast craves. But here an important difference: unlike many similar systems from other manufacturers, when the thumping mode("X-Groove") is switched off, the LBT-ZX-66i can provide clear,natural sound, with crisp midrange and highs for those of us who prefer rock, pop,jazz and other types of music. Believe me: even without the added thumping, the LBT-ZX-66i is no slouch in the bass department. The 3-way speakers(with horn-loaded tweeters) are better than you would normally get in a system of this type.
There are number of effects modes optimized for various types of music(Rock,Pop, Salsa,Reggae,Dance,Jazz,Samba,Tango). "Rock" seems to yield the clearest and most natural sound. There's also a simulated surround mode(which I have yet to try), and a 3-band digital equalizer(you can create your own custom E.Q. settings in the unit's memory). I'll eventually experiment with these features. And if you have a turntable, there's a phono input. Programming the FM/AM tuner was easy and the reception and sound quality was fine.
My only complaint is this: the remote control is a bit too basic. There are too many features of the LBT-ZX66i which can't be controlled from the remote control. These features(including the effects modes) can only be selected from the main unit's front panel.
I normally wouldn't comment on the merchant here in a product review,but I'll say this:I've had a great experience buying from "J&R Music World" for the past 29 years, whether directly, or more recently through Amazon. After buying a Plasma T.V. from J&R(via Amazon) and seeing J&R drop the price $200 lower ten days later, I contacted J&R, who gave me a $200 store credit, which I used towards this Sony compact stereo system.
One other thing:this system is fairly large. It is not exactly a shelf system, but if you've got room for it, then go for it. You won't be disappointed. Not that many companies are making this sort of system anymore(JVC doesn't make systems of this size & power any more), but Sony can make this sort of system better. The manufacturing quality is excellent, and it's got enough features that can either be used or not used, so it can be tailored to produce good sound no matter what your musical tastes are.
AS AN UPDATE TO THE ABOVE:The effects modes CAN be selected on the remote control, via a button called "EQ".
Important additional note: if you are planning on playing CD-R's on this unit, I would advise you to try a few of your CD-R's on this unit before buying. While the LBT-ZX66i had no problem playing CD-R's that I recorded on my rack mount pro audio CD recorder or CD's that I recorded on my iMAC computer, I have hundreds of CD's that were recorded by my friend on several PC's that he's owned over the past 5 years. None of these discs can be played on the LBT-ZX66i(which cannot read the table of contents on these discs). The LBT-ZX66i is one of 14 pieces of equipment(and one of four Sony products) in my home which can play CD's, and the only one that can't play these PC-burned CD-R's. All of these CD-R's feature standard CD Audio.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One word...wow., September 9, 2009
I just got this system yesterday, but not on Amazon, and I definitely regret it. (I originally ordered directly from the [...] website...and it was a HUGE mistake. An absolute nightmare, more like it...I strongly suggest to anyone considering it NOT to buy from SonyStyle. It is extremely disorganized and second-or-third-rate - or worse - service) To make a long story short, the order ended up being cancelled, so I bought it directly from Best Buy (no complaints there however).
Now to the system - it is amazing. The sales rep at Best Buy tried to talk me into building my own system with speakers, a receiver, etc., but I was really just looking for the simplicity and convenience of an all-in-one system. And I got it. It sounds just amazing; the x-groove shakes the walls with bass, but turn it off and the clarity really comes through with still more-than-adequate bass. Lots of settings and effects to choose from, still haven't used the iPod dock but looking forward to it once I get my new iPod Touch.
The system is pretty beefy and large, more so than any system I have ever owned, but really beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. The other lesser models of shelf systems in the store (Sony and other brands) just didn't even come close to this one. They had a couple in the MHC-xxxx line and they sounded horribly muffled and inferior in my opinion.
I will be using this almost solely for music, and it seems to be everything I could want and much more. The price tag is pretty steep, and could probably come down a little bit, but I am satisfied that I got a really nice quality system for my money that will (hopefully) last a long time.
If I have any problems, I will update here, but so far I am throroughly impressed with this system.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
HEARD DOWN THE STREET!!, November 8, 2009
My brother was walking home a couple days after I got this and he said I needed to turn it down cause he heard it from down the street, but I said the volume was only at 18! This system is awesome. It's BIG, BEEFY, the bass sounds GREAT, and the tweeters are wonderful. They sound soo rich, very sharp. I rarely use it at high volume without the "X-groove" turned on, but even without the bass, it sounds amazing. Really. This has to be the best shelf system out. I paid $450, but it was worth it. It should last a while too, being a Sony.
My only complaint would be that you can't control the "X-groove" (the bass) from the remote. You always have to walk up to the main console. Other than that, no problems. IPOD dock is great too. My IPOD looks great sittin on it. Controls for that work well too. GREAT PRODUCT! You won't be disappointed.
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