Sony CMT-CPX11 Review

Good Points
Good looks and incomporable Sony build quality;
Beautiful Sound using S-Master technology through top quality speakers;
Plays MP3s AND MP3 Pro;
Excellent value microsystem!

Bad Points
Cassette player included (Who uses them anymore?);
No Dolby noise reduction for cassette player;
No Surround sound or Graphic Equaliser (Bass & Treble controls are present however);
Speaker cable provided is of insufficient length for any practical use!

General Comments
I bought the Sony CMT-CPX11 system after looking around at a few Microsystems in the under £300 price bracket. Couldn't find a single review for the thing on the net, so this may well be the only one and I hope it helps you make your decision.



The CMT-CPX11 is small and beautiful, with sound that is BIG, but equally beautiful. The system is built as only Sony know how. I have no idea how something so small can weigh so much, but it just reackes of quality! There is no CD multichanger, but these always go wrong, and it plays MP3 CDs which last for hours anyway! Best of all it is totally MP3Pro compatible, so you can fit lots more tunes onto that CD at CD-quality than with standard MP3!



The tuner seems fine, and the system gives great sound from my FM Stereo channels.



There's a tape player (which records) if you still have the odd mix tape your 1st girlfriend made for you lying about and wish to reminisce from time to time, but to be honest, Sony would have done better to supply an MD player or just leave it out altogether and save space!



Despite the lack of multiband graphic equaliser and surround sound functinality, the strongest point of this system is it's beautiful sound. I put it down to the speakers more than the S-Master amp, as each of them weighs a ton, and I'm quite sure they'd survive a drop from a 3rd storey window (although I wouldn't want to be standing underneath)! With rich, resonant lows and crystal clear highs, the sound beats every other system in this price bracket hands down... and that's without having to set up a 20 band graphic or fiddling through 10 preset sounds you'll never use.



If that's not enough, the CMT-CPX11 also makes a very attractive bedside alarm clock, that will allow you to wake up to your choice of CD, cassette or radio station!