When I first saw this system, I couldn't believe my eyes.

In these days in bookshelf system business, most of companies go with fancy jog dials, retractable front face, neon signish flashing panels, this Yamaha GX 500 Mini System has a simple elegant look.

It is constructed with gray plastics with gun metal colored covers for cd changer, casset deck, and soud ontorl buttons. There are minimum number of buttons exposed.

I had a 5 years old Aiwa mini component which had similar configuration with this system, but as time goes, cd player skipped from time to time.

So I was looking for a mini system for a decent sound at reasonable price, (These days, you can buy a decent shelf system under 300 bucks.) I saw this model.

At first, I had trust in the Yamaha product. Their speakers and receivers have been receiving one of the highest applause in the business.

I asked for a demo cd to a sales person, and poped into the system, I was shocked by the rich sounds the system produce. Even though the spec of the system was 75W x 2, it was far superior than any other systems I heard claiming from 200W to 500W by JVC, Aiwa, Panasonic and even Sony.

The system features a Yamaha exclusive techonology called Ymersion.

Company claims that Ymersion sound mode suppose reproduce surroud sound with only 2 speakers. The system does kind meet the company claim, but with certain musics, it doesn't quite come close to the expectation. The sound feels like a little lighter with this mode on.

It's all about bass. This small system gives plenty of bang when I poped in one of my favorite techono cd. With 30% of the volume use, it chook up my apartment floor. It sound far superior than any subwoofer in 100 to 200 dollars range.

Some of down side with system, the component doesn't have dual casset deck. (you can't copy tapes compare to other systems out in the market) Also some functions are missing in cd player mode (Such as programed tracks remain in memor after power off)

Another wish to have lists,
More diversed pre programed equalizer modes.
You can't fully manuver the system with remote control itself.
Clock display even after turn off the power.

In conclusion, if you are looking for a decently priced but high performance mini component, this is your choice.

There is also a same unit with several surround sounds mode with two rear and one center speaker. (GX 700: $499)




Recommended: Yes