Panasonic SC-PM33DB Review

Overall Rating

DAB Autotune Feature had 20+ stations installed in seconds, all with an impressive clarity.
ID3 compatilbility allows Track Information to be displayed.
Front 3.5mm MiniJack Input for connecting MP3 players etc.
2 Line Display capable of displaying time, audio track, or radio station information.
Cassette deck is located at the top of the machine and has good strudy door & mechanism.
40W (2x20W) is capable of delivering satisfying results when the bookshelf speakers are spread and close to a wall.

Bundled speakers aren't the best. They are a little light weight, with no bass relex port or cable terminals.

After doing a lot of research into DAB Micro HiFi's I chose the SCPM33DB.
In the range £100-£150, I found it was a fight out between this and the similar priced Sony CMTNEZ7DAB. Both had a good range of features but after going to a couple of local stores to check out build quality etc. I found that the Panasonic had a better display, more features aimed towards MP3 music and was better built.
Whilst the Panasonic has it cassette deck at the top, the Sony places its CD tray here and i found the whole lid and mechanism quite light, cheap and plasticy. The Panasonic supports ID3 Taggin which means it is capable of displaying track info on MP3 Files and this is then reflected in a larger more informative VFD Display. When listening to MP3 cd's, each artist & song title can be displayed or if you are listening to DAB Radio, the station and program information can scroll along instead.
The Panasonic speakers did seem a little cheap (no bass port, removable mesh or cable terminals) so I'm actually still using the speakers of my old hifi (similar rating & impedence) There are a few preset EQ features which could help, but in general the overall sound is very good for such a standard of machine.
So to summarise, if you have want a small cheap Hifi for your bedroom or conservatory which will play yesterday's tapes, tomorrow's MP3's and serve as an introduction into the wonderful world of DAB Radio; this Hifi will take some beating.