Big sound...Little Price

I purchased this medium-sized unit about a week ago after testing many different brands and models. The first thing that got my attention was it's great looks. Upon further investigation, I found that this unit has a subwoofer. Once I fired it up I knew I had a keeper.

The search was for a great-sounding, budget-priced portable system that I could use in my office or take on the road. I started the search about a month ago. I tried many brands including Panasonic, Phillips, Sanyo, Aiwa and, of course, Sony. There are some good portables in the $75-$100 price range but most lack any type of bass. I tried a Panasonic that was rather futuristic looking (RCA has almost the identical model) and it did have very clean sound but a small bass response. The Phillips models in this price range, in my opinion, had weak bass but they were very clear and crisp. I wanted more from my portable than clean highs and mids, I wanted some good bass.

After about three weeks of not finding what I wanted and starting to think I wouldn't find it unless I paid $200 or more, I stumbled upon this Sony CFD-G50 while browsing BestBuy.com. The looks and the fact that it had a subwoofer were very promising. Then I saw that the price tag was at $99. I got in my car and drove the mere five miles needed to reach Best Buy.

Once I got there, I noticed that there were only two of this model left. There was a demo model and one still in the box. Other people must be buying this one too! I fired up the demo model and fumbled with the controls and a deep red light came on that said "Power Drive Woofer". I thought, "Well, let's see what this puppy can do!" I tuned into one of my favorite funk and soul stations and turned it up to volume level five. The sound was incredible for such a small and inexpensive unit. I grabbed the last boxed unit and headed to the checkout.

I have, now, owned the CFD-G50 for about a week and have tested it thoroughly. It can play CD-R discs that you burn on your computer. The radio tuner has some problems even with the antenna out. I cannot pick up my favorite funk and soul station at my house but I can at my office. Very strange. I live in Phoenix, Arizona and am surprised that the FM tuner does not pick up all the stations as easily as it should. All that aside, it does play CD's and tapes well and the radio stations that do come in sound great. The remote has good features as does the unit, itself. Now it's no Onkyo home theater with a subwoofer but it does above and beyond what you would expect from a product of this size and price.

The unit is very user-friendly. You don't even have to hit the power button to start playing CD's or the radio. Hit the radio/band button or the play button for CD and it will start up for you. It has programmable radio station presets and an FM1 and FM2 just in case you have more than one user. Remote will not power up the unit if you are running on batteries but I have not found this to be a problem; but I don't use batteries all that much.

If you are in the market for a portable system that plays, cd's, tapes and radio and sounds bigger than it is, this is a very serious contender. I urge you to visit you local Best Buy or Circuit City (both stores sell it) and try it out for yourself. I think once you hear it, you will agree.