Small shelf sound systems, Soundmatters MAINstage- surround sound from a single box
Week of October 5, 2003
Q: I am looking for a mini or micro stereo system that could fit into a small cabinet, including the speakers. Are there any high quality or high-end systems that are small/tiny? I read a review of the Denon DRR-M31 in Hi-Fi News magazine that spoke highly of this unit. Some have suggested a NAD Model L-40 CD player/receiver with NHT bookshelf size speakers. What can you recommend that is very high quality, perhaps high-end, but compact in size?
-M.L. Regan
A: While I always encourage the purchase of good quality equipment, in your case it may not be worth it. Before you invest a significant amount of money in a compact system, there are other considerations that must be taken into account.
The placement of the speakers in any system has a tremendous impact on sound quality. Poor placement can wreck the sound of even the best speakers.
Placing high-quality speakers in a small cabinet may ruin that high-end sound quality you are paying for. If you place the speakers on stands on either side of the cabinet instead, this will yield large dividends in sound quality and make your investment in quality equipment worthwhile.
If you cannot place the speakers on stands, be sure to get a return privilege if you buy an expensive mini-system. You may be disappointed by the way it sounds when placed in your cabinet.
You seem to be doing a good job shopping. Both of the systems you mention are great quality. The Denon DRR-M31is a very good compact system, but the NAD/NHT system would be a better choice.
Q: I am in the market to purchase a new Home-Theater-In-A-Box system and would like your opinion on the Bose 3-2-1 system. It seems to be an easy system to set up and use and I especially like the unobtrusive speaker system. I don’t feel the need for 6 or 7 speakers and all the wiring and separate pieces of a component system. The Bose 3-2-1 seems a little over priced at $999… any other recommendations?
-Michael Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh, PA
A: I personally am not a fan of Bose sound quality, and I agree that the 3-2-1 is overpriced. To Bose’s credit, the system is easy to set up and use. This simplicity is something almost all consumers want, but few companies deliver.
Based on emails I receive, many people such as you are looking for good sound quality with surround effects, but don’t want wires and speakers everywhere. They also want the system to be easy to set up and use, and of course, they don’t want it to cost a fortune. This combination of qualities has seemed to be impossible to find.
I recently discovered a unique product called the Soundmatters MAINstage (editors- MAIN should be capitalized) that could be the answer. The MAINstage looks to be a standout product that fits the needs of a large number of TV lovers looking for better sound.
The MAINstage is a single-piece component that sits on top of a television and delivers high-quality sound and surround effects. All you need is a DVD player and a television- all the connection cables you need are included with the unit. The MAINstage has a separate output for an optional powered subwoofer, which makes it even more similar to the Bose 3-2-1. The MAINstage is $329 and can be seen at www.soundmatters.com.
Soundmatters is sending an evaluation unit and I will soon have more information about the MAINstage on my website. So far, industry reviews have been promising, and with Soundmatters’ 30-day return policy, the MAINstage seems to be a safe bet.
