| Product: EX-1850 Mini Stereo System |
Company: Onkyo |
| Web: www.onkyo.co.jp |
Phone: 201-825-7950 |
| Platform: A bookshelf |
SRP: US$549
Street Price: ?? |
Cred Rating: | Special Award: Object Value |
If your SOHO is anything like mine, it's choked with books, papers and office equipment. Whatever happened to the paperless office and computer miniaturization? A full-blown stereo system certainly wouldn't fit in here (hell, *I* can barely fit in here) and a boom box is just so...street. I was looking for a starter component system that looked great, didn't take up much space and had killer audio.
I was hoping Onkyo's new EX-1850 mini system would fit the bill. It combines Onkyo's CHR-185X three CD changer/receiver with the SK 185 bookshelf speakers. The EX-1850 is designed to serve as the backbone of a larger mini system. You can add the optional MD185X mini-disc deck (if you have another US$430 bucks to blow) and/or a cassette deck. An optical digital output port provides optimum digital-to-digital connection to a DAT deck, mini-disc recorder or amp/receiver with direct digital input.
About the size of a shoebox, the EX-1850 fits comfortably on a bookshelf, as do the very handsome 5-1/2" x 6-1/2" x 6-1/2" speakers. I really like the glossy finish on the speakers and the easily removable curved grill covers. The CHR-185X has a solid aluminum front panel. The entire system is very attractive, with much attention to detail. It would spruce up any office or living space. A universal audio remote is included that operates the CD changer, the tuner and other components you may add later. One stand-out feature is the ability to change two of the CDs while a third is playing.
The sound on the system is good, but not as great as I'd hoped. For $550, you'd expect to hear the difference. You don't. I've heard similar sound quality on mini systems costing a hundred or more dollars less (and they had a cassette deck!). The main benefits to this system seem to be the object value and the three disc changer. Nice, but not good enough at this price. Hopefully, Onkyo will come to their senses and lower the price or you'll be able to find it on sale at a discount audio house. What ever you do, don't pay more than $400.
- Gareth Branwyn [2/22/99]
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