Firstly, I bought this same system over 4 years ago at Best Buy at a reasonably higher price at the time. The speakers are fantastic for their size but the "mini-system" stereo is just okay.Pros:-CD changer for 5 CDs-Cassette player (I like some old tapes so it's perfect for me)-Great sound (great bass when bass option is turned up using the remote)-Reliable (at least for me and the way I abuse them)-Turns itself off after 20ish minutesCons:-Has trouble establishing a connection with fm radio-30-pin adapter so it's out of date for any new Apple device-Short speaker wires with non-standard connectors. Unless you strip the wires there's no extending them.-no rca input or output-oversized central stereo system-Low quality equalizer (allows you to adjust the bass and treble independently, but only with the remote)-need remote to do many of the functions on the stereo-not the easiest to move as it is 3 parts (but is light-weight)Overall these are speakers are worth it to you or not purely depending on what you do with them.-If they sit in a garage or your room and are only used for CDs or music they're perfect. I know they'll fill it with great sound room filling sound.-If you're using this for a TV, unless you have a big enough place to put the stereo and the speakers underneath, they're not going to work as you can't move the speakers too far from the stereo. Cutting and extending wires is the only way that will work.-If you like to listen to a lot of radio these could work but it comes with a crappy fm antenna and a far from standard am antenna. In my experience the fm works okay, but I live close to the city with strong signal from the stations I like. If I want to connect to a station farther away, (which I only did for the purposes of this review) even my little battery powered radio will pick it up while this stereo won't. But, while the radio doesn't pick up far away signal, it picks up a signal that is much higher quality than any other stereo I have owned. Expect to spend a lot of time moving around the wire so it will receive the signal.In the sense of reliability I've been worried that the CD changer will break since I bought these 4 or more years ago. Somehow even though it sounds like it will die any moment it keeps going. I use the changer a lot! Also, I abuse these speakers by turning them up to near max volume on a regular basis (you'll start to piss off neighbors at these high levels). Finally, I leave these in my garage plugged in, in very moist and in the winter far below freezing temperatures. They keep on going with no signs of damage.Like I said, whether are not these speakers are for you purely depends on what you are doing with them. But for only $180, (on sharps site) from a company I know and trust, they are worth the money to me. They sound great and are built to last.I attached a picture of a setup I use at home. In the picture is the max length the speakers will go without cutting wires. The stereo system is above the tv while the speakers are below.

What wonderful, rich, clear sound comes from this book case system!!!! I was delightfully surprised. Also glad one can play a cassette tape as well as play your MP3 player through it. I only wish it held more than 5 CDs. I had been spoiled by a 10 CD player which I'd had for years until it decided to retire and got this Sharp system to replace it. As a musician, I'm a bit of a snob concerning quality of sound of my music....I don't want to have to turn up the volume a lot in order to hear the full range of a recording. And with this system by Sharp, you can hear every note in every range and have choices I'm still learning about in adjusting even further for your listening experience. This was an excellent choice/purchase. I had no idea that this company would produce something which is this versatile (even with both AM and FM antennas) with super sound quality. People who visit my home assume the music they're hearing is coming from a much larger system with a different name. Great choice with enough wire from speaker to the main player for a true, nice stereo sound. Wonderful!

product arrived after back-order delay.good: product arrived safely (ordered from amazon). sound adequate (probably around 3*). size was reasonable for my available space. only wanted 5cd/tape/am-fm features. they seem to work adequately for price of unit. was pleasantly surprised at relative quite of cd changer...prior panasonic units i owned were much more noisy. i have no need of many of the features...i.e., random play, mp3, etc. just want music, radio or tape for background. i would normally give this unit a 3*.bad: IF YOU NEED AN OUTSIDE OR POWERED AM/FM ANTENNA DO NOT BUY THIS UNIT!!!!!! after checking with many local and on-line antenna shops (i have a very top-of-the-line outside rooftop antenna -- required because where i live in a concrete and rebar house) the conclusion was that the FM antenna connection is NOT STANDARD! THE AM CONNECTOR WAS COMPLETELY BIZZARE! if you don't need or want a powered or outside/roof antenna then -- because you live in a good reception area -- this unit is still probably 3*.ugly: multiple calls to sharp to resolve the antenna issues were worthless. pleasant people who knew nothing. the manual shows that the unit can be connected to an external/remote antenna as well as to their single dinky wire FM antenna and to a very short twisted pair AM loop. i downloaded the manual before i bought the unit to be sure an external antenna could be connected. the manual clearly shows an external antenna in addition to their single wire unit. three of the four sharp customer support people for electronics didn't even know what a coax cable was. both the customer support people and the response from their tech people repeated that the owner can connect an external antenna in addition to theirs that will connect (am or fm) to a standard antenna wire (coax -- duh!). none of these people could tell me what the connector was or where to get it!!!!! three of the four people to whom i spoke told me they would call me back with an answer. none did. during the last call i was told that all sharp connectors are proprietary and they don't make adapters. the fact that their manual says one can do this must assume that you are good with a soldering gun and willing to void the warranty to make a basic receiver work. HOWEVER, i have found that the connector i need for the FM is a PAL (european standard not the USA NTSC standard). you can find one of these on line for about $4. it is called a "PAL female to F female" adapter. look it up by name now that that name is here...otherwise you will look for hours to find something that looks right. the AM side appears to be hopeless for an adapter...it looks like the little plastic plug used on the battery for a hand-held house phone. will have to solder the am one myself from inside the unit to make it a standard connector.conclusion: if you don't need the remote antenna i'd give the unit so far (after three weeks) about 3*. no one expects perfect sound or performance from a $200 stereo. but all the parts should work as stated! i'd give sharp zeor stars if i could for stupid connectors and horrible customer service and yet even fewer smarts! after three weeks of frustration, a 1* star is all i can muster.