Onkyo CS 325 CD Receiver System
This is a truly marvelous little mini receiver. I originally bought this that came with a set of Bose Acoustimass 3 speakers (Sam's Club package), but have long upgraded and am now using a setup consisting of the CR-325, Polk PSW10 subwoofer, and two Definitive Technology Promonitor 800s as the bookshelf speakers. The controls are good and easy to use, but what really shines are the audio and amplification abilities. The amplification of signals are clear and distinct, and I always use the DIRECT function with my sources which completely bypass the receiver's DAC and EQ for a more pure and original sound. When paired with some excellent speakers such as the Promonitors, my music just comes alive and clear. It is powerful enough for my room even at ear-piercing volumes, just to show that sometimes high wattage specs are overated. If you do decide to upgrade to higher end bookshelfs, this mini receiver will be able to handle it as long as you keep the speaker impedance in check. For an even added bump in your music, you can also add a subwoofer which is a definite way to go to complete the lower frequencies that any bookshelf speakers are missing. I don't want to go excessively as to how the system "sounds" since it really is dependant on the speakers (but you can find how my setup sounds with this main component via the Promonitor800 speaker review here on Amazon).
Feature wise, the receiver has two inputs to connect your audio sources and other typical features of mini-hifi's such as CD player and FM/AM radio. I do not use the CD player so I can't really comment on it's performance. I however do exclusively use this receiver with an Apple Airport Express to stream 320kbps MP3's from iTunes and the sound with my setup is sublime. You can't go wrong with the included Onkyo bookshelf speakers from all the good reviews here, but if you do decide to upgrade the bookshelfs and add a subwoofer, you will definitely take this mini-receiver to another whole level of audio bliss.
I recently purchased an Onkyo CS-325 CD Receiver System for our kitchen. I was going to purchase an under counter system, but after listening to one in a big box store, was disappointed with the sound quality. The receiver itself is compact and takes up little countertop space. I put the two speakers on top of the kitchen cabinets, one on each end. The wires were routed up alongside the refrigerator making them almost invisible. The system sounds great especially with the speakers being high in the room. I have other Onkyo products and they always give you great sound at a reasonable price.
BalasHapusThis is a truly marvelous little mini receiver. I originally bought this that came with a set of Bose Acoustimass 3 speakers (Sam's Club package), but have long upgraded and am now using a setup consisting of the CR-325, Polk PSW10 subwoofer, and two Definitive Technology Promonitor 800s as the bookshelf speakers. The controls are good and easy to use, but what really shines are the audio and amplification abilities. The amplification of signals are clear and distinct, and I always use the DIRECT function with my sources which completely bypass the receiver's DAC and EQ for a more pure and original sound. When paired with some excellent speakers such as the Promonitors, my music just comes alive and clear. It is powerful enough for my room even at ear-piercing volumes, just to show that sometimes high wattage specs are overated. If you do decide to upgrade to higher end bookshelfs, this mini receiver will be able to handle it as long as you keep the speaker impedance in check. For an even added bump in your music, you can also add a subwoofer which is a definite way to go to complete the lower frequencies that any bookshelf speakers are missing. I don't want to go excessively as to how the system "sounds" since it really is dependant on the speakers (but you can find how my setup sounds with this main component via the Promonitor800 speaker review here on Amazon).
BalasHapusFeature wise, the receiver has two inputs to connect your audio sources and other typical features of mini-hifi's such as CD player and FM/AM radio. I do not use the CD player so I can't really comment on it's performance. I however do exclusively use this receiver with an Apple Airport Express to stream 320kbps MP3's from iTunes and the sound with my setup is sublime. You can't go wrong with the included Onkyo bookshelf speakers from all the good reviews here, but if you do decide to upgrade the bookshelfs and add a subwoofer, you will definitely take this mini-receiver to another whole level of audio bliss.
This is probably the the greatest piece of electronic equipment that I currently own. This CD receiver is built very solid: all metal housing, aluminum front panel, and pretty hefty at about 30 pounds altogether. Speakers are attached to the receiver through binding posts instead of spring clips and the speakers themselves sound outstanding. After a few days of use, the sounds really start to open up. When set up correctly to your room this system offers outstanding clarity and sound separation. I also love the bright, easy to read blue display which Onkyo uses (it is also dimmable on several levels). You will find that attaching a powered subwoofer to the sub pre-out will give you complete coverage of all audible frequencies. I have listened to all of my CD collection again, hearing things I have never heard before, making well-produced albums a true sonic experience.
BalasHapusPlease don't go buy a sub-par, cheap, overpriced CD receiver (such as the sad excuses which sony make!). This is the best that money can buy. Hands down.
First thing that grabbed my attention when I opened up the box was how solidly made those speakers were. Quite heavy (as another reviewer noted), but still able to fit nicely on a well-adjusted bookshelf. Second thing that grabbed my attention was the considerable depth and clarity of the sound coming out of those speakers. It was almost like hearing it come out of a quality home theater system, except it was being pumped out from this significantly downsized piece of audio equipment. Bass response is also quite good (though some may prefer more "ground-shaking" bottom which in this case you can get an additional sub-woofer to satisfy that need; system comes with a sub pre-out just for that purpose). The receiver itself is also sturdily built, with easy access to the buttons and volume knob. Love the fact that the CD player is of the front-loading variety as the more recently manufactured slot-loading types tend to scratch the discs quite a bit. I found the stereo remote pretty simple to use after having to read the instructions only once. AM/FM radio is also included with a rather substantial number of presets at your disposal, but I've hardly had time to check those out yet. I mainly bought this system for the CD player itself and that alone has given me more than I could've hoped for. Only real problem I've had with this system was getting the speaker cables properly connected to the back end of the receiver, but once that was out of the way, the set-up was virtually a piece of cake. I've also noticed this receiver comes with an I-Pod playing option, which only adds to the bells and whistles it currently brings. Personally speaking, I honestly have no use for it at the moment but it's still a nice option to have should I finally get serious about owning an I-Pod.
BalasHapusIf anyone out there DOES happen to find a better system for roughly the same price with more features than what this Onkyo has to offer, MORE POWER TO YOU THEN! Because as of this review I sure as heck haven't found one, lol!
I bought the Onkyo CS-325 as a Christmas present for my wife. She wanted to have a small stereo for the upstairs bedroom. I looked at numerous systems before I decided on the CS-325. Most of the systems I looked at just seemed to be very cheaply built and they paled in comparison to the CS-325. We are both very happy with the design and construction of this system. It will not knock the roof off of the house but it does deliver a very pleasing quality of sound. The CD tray seems to be rugged and well built unlike a lot of the other systems in this price range. I highly recommend this mini-system for its high quality and price.
BalasHapusThis stereo was as good as everyone who reviewed it, said it was! First of all it weighs alot,which tells me it's not a piece of junk. Very, very easy to set up. And the sound is unbelievable. For the money, you won't be able to find a better sound.
BalasHapusEVER SINCE I'VE WORKED FOR MARANTZ BACK IN 1978 I HAVE HAD A LOVE FOR HIGH END AUDIO AND GOOD SOUNDING SYSTEMS. I WAS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING SMALL AND WELL MADE FOR MY PARENTS CONDO SO THEY CAN ENJOY GREAT SOUND BUT NOT TAKE UP MUCH SPACE. BOSE SYSTEMS(WHICH COST MUCH MORE) DO NOTHING FOR ME WHEN IT COMES TO WARM SMOOTH SOUND AND THEIR QUALITY OVER YEARS HAS CHANGED. THIS ONKYO UNIT IS MONEY WELL SPENT.IT IS ONE WELL MADE UNIT. THE WARMTH OF SOUND IS AMAZING VOCALS STAND OUT AND MUSIC SMOOTH EVEN AT LOW LEVELS. IT DELIVERS GREAT SOUND AT HIGHER VOLUME WITH NO DISTORTION. MAN YOU WONT REGRET BUYING THIS UNIT FOR THE PRICE MONEY WELL SPENT. YOU ACTUALLY GET MORE THAN YOU PAID FOR THIS BABY.
BalasHapus
BalasHapusVery nice system with a surprisingly big sound for a small unit. Adding a powered subwoofer, one might likely have people believing that it was a full sized system. It has a very clean sound with the mids being the most predominant. It would be hard to find better in this price range. There are many settings and features, so don't be too quick to write this unit off until you experiment a bit with them first. For a little shelf system it rocks!
BalasHapus