I love this stereo . I be look for a small powerful stereo with a CD changer and the ability to connect a auxilliary audio source -lrb- XM MyFi -rrb- . the speaker have to be small enough to fit on my desktop and not look silly . I go to best buy and compare what they have in stock , and settle on this one , simply because it meet all of my criterion , plus the speaker have 3 separate driver - 4 '' woofer , 2-3\/8 '' mid , 1 '' ceramic tweeter . also , it can play virtually every format of music , which be great because I download ton of song and I hate have to convert they to . wav file from . mp3 . also , it can play dvd-audio and hdcd disc , both of which I have many of . plus , it can play dvd-video , and it have component video out , which I find amazing on such a small multi-tasking unit . I will probably never hook it up to a tv , but if I do , it be nice to know that I have that option . I manage to get it for $ 249.99 , which accord to some of the review I have read , be a steal at best buy . setup be a breeze - everything be color-code - and I be up and run in about 5 minute . the speaker fit perfectly on the desktop , and actually the wood veneer come pretty close to match the color of my desk . the main unit manage to fit into one of the cabinet in my desk , so all you see be the speaker . I be quite surprised at how good it sound . the high be exceptionally clear , which the 1 '' tweeter have alot to do with , and the bass be powerful and rich , which be amazing for 4 '' driver . I listen to a wide variety of music , from country to metal to techno to clasical , and everything in between , and I have spend the better part of 2 week play around with different cd to see if I could find a flaw in the sound . I still have not . I think the techno\/trance music be a especially good test for the speaker , because there be so much go on and all three driver be be test . so far , it sound amazing . the amp have yet to fade out at all with extended bass line or extremely hard bass hit . I have see a few negative comment on the bass output . I just do not get where those comment be come from . they must be people who like bass-heavy music and not true-sounding music . from my perspective , the music sound just the way it be intend to sound . however , if you be a bass-nut , the unit offer a sub pre-out , which be simply amazing on such a small unit . I do not think a external sub be need at all , but maybe somebody do . now , I say in the title that you must buy it for what it be intend . what I mean be that you should not buy this as a main home theater receiver . you will be very disappointed . I have a thx ultra2 certified onkyo and very high-end speaker for that purpose , and I would never recommend anything less . however , if you be like I , and look for a desktop or shelf system that sound great and maintain a small size , then this be perfect . also , I can see how I would have love to have this when I first go to college . small size , powerful sound , the ability to be a dvd player , all at a relatively cheap price . Perfect for any dorm room . I remember there be people who have Aiwa shelf system that be twice as expensive and twice and large that produce half the sound quality , and they still have to have a separate dvd player . I recommend this to anybody whose need match the criterion I have lay out . I could not be happier . if you want a home theater system , do yourself a favor and buy the best receiver and speaker combo you can afford , not a mini shelf system .