Sony's new Muteki line of "party in a box" shelf systems

If you thought the current generation of molded-plastic-gone-wild shelf audio boomboxes was getting out of hand, you might want to avert your eyes from this Muteki extravagance. Sony's targeting Latin culture with these four new stereos, which are designed with banging Quinceaneras and Cinco de Mayo parties mind. The LBT-ZX80D tops it out with 880 watts, a karaoke "game" feature, three DVD player, DivX and MP3 support, TV out and Dolby Digital surround sound. The 720 watt LBT-ZX9 loses the DVD capabilities, and spins five CDs instead, while both systems include DJ-ish features and sound effects. The LBT-ZX6 includes 560 watts and a mic input, along with gaming audio features, while the MHC-LX1000 does 520 watts and three CDs. Those two "stripped down" Muteki units go for $400 each and are available now, while the LBT-ZX9 will go for $600 in March and LBT-ZX80D will follow in May for $700.

[Anthony @ Feb 27th 2007 2:21PM]

Okay- not it's just getting crazy- Engadget- can you create a mini Sony site for all the releases? I can't keep things strait.

On topic: I must be getting old (though it's mentioned that the Latin community is the target so maybe I'm just really white) 'cause this thing just looks like the ugliest piece of...

Why can't they design a full stereo system to look like Sony's The Radio? Box, knobs. Done.

[Matt B @ Feb 27th 2007 2:29PM]

Divx support? I'm sold.

[shimman @ Feb 27th 2007 3:19PM]

unless you want an out-of-box experience of loose but very boomy sounds in all-in-one compact package, it might do a job, but at price, i would look else where to get a better sonic quality

[docca @ Feb 27th 2007 4:59PM]

No, that's not "party in a box". That's "party in a whole lot of ugly boxes". Kinda like their GENEZI line: a lot of ugly (and huge!) boxes, lots of light flashing, useless "game/DJ" features... I wouldn't get caught dead with horrendous things like those in my living room. And I'm latin.

[Deezee @ Feb 27th 2007 3:12PM]

If you cant get the party started with one of these, nothing can help you.

[friko @ Feb 27th 2007 3:31PM]

@Anthony,

No, it's not that you're really white. Though I'm no in the "Latin community" in the US, I'm a Mexican living in my country, and I agree: this thing is ugly!

[David Jenurm @ Feb 27th 2007 3:44PM]

The outrageously exaggerated claim of 880 Watts shows what kind of people this is being marketed to as well.

[venk @ Feb 27th 2007 4:34PM]

Oh Dear God this thing is ugly

[Antoine @ Feb 27th 2007 4:38PM]

I live in Venezuela, and altough I find this thing really ugly (I would never buy one), I've to admit that this is the kind of systems that people here love and you can find'em in the vast majority of stores, not only from Sony, but also from Samsung, Panasonic, Aiwa and many others "chang-chung" or "no-brand".
All families around mine have some kind of system like this one and their parties usually end up early in the morning...with a lot of annoyed neighbours, so I think that the marketing department for this product is making their homework much better than the one for the PSP :))

[CharlieX @ Feb 27th 2007 4:45PM]

I'm going to buy two... that's like 1700 watts! the Quinceaneras will be bangin for sure

[Kev50027 @ Feb 27th 2007 7:54PM]

I'm a bit of a Sony fan (enough to hate Engadget forever for their anti-Sony BS), but even to me, that is one ugly bunch of boxes. Seriously, if it were made of wood and wasnt so insane looking, I might get it, but as it is.. that thing is fit for 12 year olds.

[mesaboogie @ Feb 27th 2007 9:47PM]

is it just me or does that center piece looks like an owl? lol

[Galley @ Feb 28th 2007 9:37AM]

My eyes... my eyes!