apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

http://www2.oregonscientific.com/shop/browse.asp?cid=15&scid=64

They have Music Element at Conran and it looks great in person. It's more than your budget allows for, however.

I've been really happy with the little Sony system I bought recently. It has good sound and a nice, understated appearance. And, at $95, it comes in well below your price max.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7033596&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03055&id=1099395277061

Try the JBL Creature II speakers. CNET.COM rated them as one of the best buys in 2004.

I highly recommend any Panasonic bookshelf system. I bought mine about 4 years ago, live in a studio as well, and enjoy some suprisingly lush sound for such a small system. They have some systems in your price range, but seriously consider boosting up your price range to accomodate the $225 models that also contain a dvd reader and stereo sound system that can hook up to your tv or computer.

I have audio savvy friends that are always impressed with the sound I get from such a small system!

I have a JVC similar to that one, and I really like it...

Do yourself a favor and hear the Tivoli radios, they are great and as long as you can live without a CD Player, you can get them pretty cheap and usually with an iPod input. They sell them at J&R. http://www.tivoliaudio.com/home.php?cat=262

i have the tivoli ipal, made to work with an ipod input, the sound is ok. however the bose ipod sound base station is currently on my wish list. while the bose unit is above anne's price ceiling, it's a good bookshelf unit with great sound and charges the ipod while it's playing, also no cds to store.

I agree with the tivoli radio. I've been using it as my entire stereo system in my summer beach studio for a couple years.

It has amazing sound and good bass as well. Its easy to plug in an ipod or laptop or tv. It has a really great looking design as well.

Also my husband is a stage tech/guitar tech and is very particular about our audio. Also it is very well built.

That Tivoli radio in Piano Black looks nice and striking too, while producing way better music out of a smaller-than-a-shoebox case than it should be! I have an "audiophile" type system that retails at about 10K for the 3 components (speakers, amp, CD player) and I enjoy the Tivoli's sound just the same (although quite a bit "less" of the audiophile system's sound).

Just a thought:
I have a JVC similar to the one pictured above - have had it for about 6 or7 years and love it. Great size for a tiny apartment and it has surprisingly fantastic sound.
It's currently out for repair ... the motor needs to be replaced which aparently happens sometimes. Talking to the repairman about the value of repair or replacement ... he mentioned that the new JVCs are not repairable -- just toss and buy new. which I think pretty much sucks but the going trend in consumer products but some still are repairable. Just something to think about while hunting.

I guess I didn't mention all the bells and whistles I am hoping for when I asked the "good question".

Since I don't have an Ipod and I never listen to the radio I'm not sure the Tivoli is the piece for me. I want to be able to listen to my CDs and tapes (yes, I still have tons of tapes). And it would be perfect if the tape deck had auto reverse. I listen to an ocean surf tape and with auto reverse it just keeps playing on and on non-stop.

The Music Orbit is pretty cool. As far as I can tell, it's all encompassing. The speaker rotates?

The JBL piece is the strangest looking thing I've seen in a while. I think there's a cartoon character out there somewhere that looks like that. Those are just speakers though, right?

The Sony system is nice but only one CD tray. Liza, I'm going to look into your suggestion.

I like the JVC that's pictured but it doesn't have a tape deck. I may have to give that feature up for affordability and sound.

Thank you all for the time you took to link me up! Keep them coming. It's out there somewhere. I just know it.

Have you considered upgrading your computer speakers and using your computer for music and radio? It would save space and money.

I've been listening to computer speakers lately and the some of the surround sound models have surprisingly good sound for the money.

One my ears liked, the Logitech X-530 5.1, is on sale at bestbuy.com for $70. But take a favourite CD and listen to a few systems.

A great alternative for a small apartment is an Airport Express - keep all of your music on your computer (CD's stay in a box in a closet) and all I have to keep out is my speakers. Not to mention it's tiny, provides wireless Internet, and can be used with a Mac or PC...

people with computer only -- what have you done about your tapes?

also when you rip your cd's, what format do you use?

i realize these seem like off topic questions, but every time i start thinking about getting rid of my ancient and awkwardly positioned stereo and the shelf it sits on, i get stuck on these questions.

Tapes? What are those? JK, you can get software to rip them all to your computer, but it is a lot of work. As far as ripping, AAC all the way (same as mp4) of course I am a die hard iTunes guy. If you are really an audiophile, there is always apple lossless codec. I rocked the airport express for a while, it was nice, but sometimes inconvienent ie dropped signal, stuttering. I do think computers for stereo's are the way to go, and there are plenty of great computer speakers out there. I love my soundsticks.

Anne, my stereo requirements were like yours when I bought one a few years ago.

I have a Panasonic bookshelf system and have been really pleased with it. It holds 5 CDs, has a cassette player, and has given me trouble only once - and that was my fault: the dreaded user error. It has great sound quality for the price.

Check this one at Best Buy - it's similar to mine:

http://tinyurl.com/9az5t

It's on sale for $151.99 through tomorrow, 2/8, when purchased only through BestBuy.com - not in store, though you could return it there.

It does have a tape player, but it's not shown in their pictures or listed in the description. I looked at the picture of the remote control, though, and the Tape button is there.

I've owned Sony and Aiwa - both crap, if I may forcefully state my opinion. ;) CD motors broke on both (same company) and it was cheaper to fix than to replace.

Um - to replace rather than to fix, I meant to say.

I have always liked the way this system looked, although I'm not sure on the quality.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7016105&type=product&id=1099393710467

Sony rocks. But now i have a tiny shuffle conected to awesome bose micro speakers, the cheapest in the range. It takes the space of a book.

The JVC system pictured is a really neat little gadget. I'm not partial to the JVC "sound." It tends to miss some lower middle tones and deeper bass tones, but it seems that might be fine for your requirements.

I'd avoid anything AIWA. These boxes are priced low, and sound pretty darned good. But the fail rate is high.

Sony is a tough call: the lower-priced models can be cheap and unreliable. If you like Sony---and I do---you must shop carefully.

Hope that helps!

What about a bookshelf system that plays AAC/mp4 files?

I can find all sorts that play mp3 and WMA, but I'm going to be transferring most of my cds to AAC. It sure would be nice to have a bookshelf unit that could play those files.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Thomas