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divdiv class=postBody txtWrap section=txt readability=26div class=cnet-image-div image-REGULAR float-none readability=1img class=cnet-image src=http://asset1.cbsistatic.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim2/2013/11/08/413G4Y%2BMKKL.jpg alt= width=500 height=500/p class=image-captionThe Sony CMT-MX500i tabletop hi-fi system/pspan class=image-credit(Credit:Sony)/span/divpVery few nonaudiophiles have hi-fis anymore, but if you would like to listen to music at home over something better than iffy computer speakers without breaking open your piggy bank, Sony's nifty little CMT-MX500i might be worth checking out. /ppThe three-piece system comes with a pair of two-way bookshelf speakers mated to an attractively styled combo CD player/iPod dock/FM tuner/stereo amplifier. The speakers measure a tidy 5.5x9.4x7.9 inches, and the amp is 12x11x5 inches. The wood cabinet's speaker wire is permanently attached, and uses a proprietary plug that goes into the amp. System hookup is supereasy, but the proprietary speaker connectors thwart chances to hook up other speakers to the amp: it's a closed system. The amp's bass and treble controls allow for on-the-fly tonal balance changes, and I preferred the sound with the treble nudged down a little, and the bass boosted two steps. The CMT-MX500i comes with a full-function remote./ppArcade Fire's new Reflektor CD unleashed a big sound, and the band's bouncy beats were well played by the CMT-MX500i. True, the sound is a far cry from what you'd get from a href=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57490890-47/mission-impossible-design-great-sounding-affordable-speakers/Pioneer's SP-BS22 speakers/a ($129.99 a pair) matched to a decent $200 or $300 receiver, but the two Sony speakers, placed 6 feet apart, can create a room-filling stereo image. Which is, after all, the way the engineers mixed the music in the first place; too bad you'd never hear true stereo over a a href=http://reviews.cnet.com/portable-speakers/bose-soundlink-bluetooth-mobile/4505-11313_7-35536570.html$300 Bluetooth speaker/a./ppThe CMT-MX500i'sa href=http://www.cnet.com/ipod/ section=luke_topic iPod/a dock uses the classic Apple 30-pin connector, not the current a href=http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-57514454-233/apples-lightning-connector-and-you-what-you-should-know/Lightning connector/a, but most older iDevices will be compatible with the CMT-MX500i's dock. I tried mya href=http://reviews.cnet.com/ipod-classic/ section=luke_topic iPod Classic/a, and it worked fine. If you don't have an iDevice, just run a a href=http://www.amazon.com/Parts-Express-3-5mm-Stereo-Cable/dp/B002T4OMG8$3 cable/a between your phone or any portable music player and the CMT-MX500i's front-panel, 3.5mm input jack. The FM tuner pulled in my favorite college stations no problem./ppSo this little Sony package really might be ideal for folks who want to enjoy tunes at home without relying on a computer. It doesn't have a turntable input, but if you're into vinyl go ahead and buy an a href=http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PP999-Phono-Turntable-Pre-Amp/dp/B00025742A/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronicsamp;ie=UTF8amp;qid=1383913 482amp;sr=1-2amp;keywords=phono+preampinexpensive phono preamp/a and plug it into the CMT-MX500i's front-panel input jack. /ppAmazon is currently selling the a href=http://www.amazon.com/Sony-CMTMX500i-Desktop-Micro-System/dp/B00438MWAGCMT-MX500i /afor just under $140./p/div/divbrbrcentera href=http://www.wizardrss.comPowered By WizardRSS.com/a | a href=http://www.wizardrss.comFull Text RSS Feed/a | a href=http://www.amazon.com/RFID-Blocking-Cards-Identity-Protector/dp/B00CJHZLEWRFID/a | a href=http://www.wpzonbuilder.comAmazon Affiliate/a/center