In your opinion what is the best product out there in terms of sound fidelity,richness of bass, non-tinny highs, ambience for:-

(1) Mini hifi system known as a boom-box, made by JVC, Sony and others. These usually sport sound ports ad infinitum,have high wattage,and some come with sub-woofers. But I know I can't just go by wattage output (RMS). Wattage output doesn't mean quality.

(2) Micro-system cd/tape rig. My wife's mother has a JVC UX-1...but it just died. Looking for something considerably better in sound, but still has to be stylish and small. ( She likes the wood speaker cabinets.)

My only small system is a Bose wave radio with my IPOD which I guess is a mini system.

What is your budget?

Take one of your CD's that represents the music you listen to and go listen for yourself. Music is really a personal thing and one person's opinion of the "best" might not have a sound you like. You could spend $1000 on the best brand name stereo and not be happy, or you might find that diamond in the rough and get something that sounds fantastic for $100.

Any store that sells stereo's should have them all set up for listening, just pop your CD in and try them all tell you find one with the sound/style that fits YOU.

What's your budget and how much room do you have?

If the budget can manage it.

PSB speakers. Whatever the smallest ones are at the moment. Good Canadian product at a price/performance point you won't find at the big box stores.

Really a basic receiver will out play anything in a boombox.

A budget DVD player. Same reason.

Cabling from Home Depot etc. Get the heavy gauge stuff intended for in wall installation. Reasonable price. Only down side is your receiver might have problems with the 12 gauge size.

Stick the receiver and DVD player in a cabinet out of sight. The speakers aren't very big and with enough wire can be placed any place you want.

Can't beat Bose.

Sure you can :D

Sure you can :D

True but for the size and price, it's not that easy. Plus if you don't want to fill a room with speakers its not all that easy.

My Bose is upstairs in my living room all my speakers are downstairs with my receiver and my weights. LOL

Can't beat Bose.

Bose is one of the worst companies out there. Their products are overpriced and over hyped junk. Seriously. Here is a fellow who agrees with me and did a bit of the leg work looking into one of their products:

http://cookiefactory.livejournal.com/48907.html

uh oh:whistle: Here we go...:D

Seriously though. Before we get into an audio debate in a fitness forum lets give the OP a chance to chime in so we can understand a few things. Budget is probably the most important thing followed by sound quality. It would make sense to say that a bookshelf or boom box style setup is desired based on his first post. It would also help to know just what type of listener we would be picking this system for. Being an audiophile myself, I would choose a much different path for my music pleasure.

Can't beat Bose.
Oh no you did NT

Bose is one of the worst companies out there. Their products are overpriced and over hyped junk. Seriously. Here is a fellow who agrees with me and did a bit of the leg work looking into one of their products:

http://cookiefactory.livejournal.com/48907.html
In bold QFT.