GX-500, more than meet's the eye!
Written: Apr 24 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Fantastic sound, very clean looking.
Cons: Single tape deck.
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| Merrick's Full Review: Yamaha GX 500 Stereo Mini System |
When i first laid eyes on this system i was suprized with the lack of gimmicky buttons, jog dials, colourful displays and sometimes unconventional shapes of the main unit.
This unit was extreemly simple looking,yet packed a punch. Most of the buttons are concealed behind a fold down flap in the center of the unit, these though are the rarly used buttons, such as clock set ect.
CD
The 3 CD changer is positioned at the top of the unit and i found that during disc changing (whilst playing a programmed sequence) the mechanics of it were very quiet as opposed to other systems i have seen.
TAPE
The tape deck is at the bottom of the unit and the tape goes into a slide out tray, very similar to that of a CD tray. There is Dolby noise reduction for better recording quality, and the CD syncro recording works very well. Although only haveing one tape deck i didn't find this a problem.
TUNER
The tuner though quiet complicated to operate worked well, i was suprised that with only the supplies indoor FM antenna it still picked up most of the stationd which would normally need a external (outdoor) FM amplified antenna to pick them up.
EQUILIZER
There are 3 different equilizer settings, the are: Rock, Pop, jazz and bass-boost. Yamaha have also incorperated a sound setting which they call "YEMERSION", it is meant to add an ambient feel to the music, much like surround. I found that it worked extreemly well with some music but made other's sound terrible. Whilst watching movies though the AUX function of the system i found that YEMERSION really gave the sound a lift, from a dull non cinematic feel to a richer fuller sound, much like you would get at the cinema.
SPEAKERS
The speakers on this system are great. The are a 3 way dome type speaker system and they really do justice to any type of music. The bass reflex port is at the back of the speaker and when positioned close to a wall the bass really increases. The speaker boxes are made out of partical board and are covered in an attractive black wood-grain veneir. The system also has an Sub Out, which is used for incorperating a Sub Woofer to the whole system.
SYSTEM
This shelf system has: AUX (in and out)
Optical Digital Output (for recording to a MD/DAT)
Sub Out (for the attachment of a Sub Woofer)
3 CD changer
Single full logic auto reverse cassette deck
Powerful 75 x 2 Amplifier
3 way dome type bass reflex speakers
Digital tuner with 40 station presets
Full function remote control
PROS
I found that this system was a huge step up from the small Panasonic mini system i previously had. It's amp has alot of power and boasts crystal cleal sound. It's 3 CD changer workes very well and the mechanics of it are very quiet.
CONS
I found that the gunmetal finish on many of the plastic panels are very suseptable to finger prints, even when you think your hands are clean. The single tape deck, as it did not pose a problam for me for some people it may. Lack of time display when unit is in the "Standby' mode.
Everything considered i think this unit is great. It's sound quality is second to none and it is very good value for money $600 (australian)
I am very pleased with the product and i think that YAMAHA have a real winner.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Merrick
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Member: Michael Gibbs
Location: Ballarat
Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
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