Sony bites the bullet, releases Made for iPod music systems

Sony's using CES to update its iPod / iPhone-compatible stereos -- it's releasing the iPod / iPhone-friendly CMT- LX20i micro shelf system and MHC-EC99i mini boombox (pictured above). Not a whole lot left to say other than they also play CDs and rattle windows, respectively. For pricing and release details -- including a word or two on the new Muteki systems -- hit up the read link.

Gallery: Sony bites the bullet, releases Made for iPod music systems

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[neodorian @ Jan 7th 2009 8:48PM]

I never really got this concept. I've been hooking up anything and everything with a 3.5mm jack to my stereos since I was a kid with a boombox. Why does a proprietary iPod dock somehow make these things unique? All you need is your regular dock for power and a five dollar 3.5mm->stereo RCA cord.

[Darren @ Jan 7th 2009 9:08PM]

Convenience. Just plop in your Pod and you're on your way. It's charging and you're listening to music.

If I'm choosing between two audio system, one has an iPod dock and the other doesn't, I'm going to pick the one with the dock, all other things being equal.

[Quicksilver4648 @ Jan 7th 2009 8:49PM]

My god, look at that thing. Its a Transformer!

[The Joker @ Jan 7th 2009 9:24PM]

But will it go to "11"?

[AndrewNeo @ Jan 7th 2009 8:55PM]

Sony's been making iPod compatible in-car stereo receivers for a while.

[go4broke @ Jan 7th 2009 9:05PM]

bleh, anyone ever hear one of these things? I got the displeasure a few days ago, the speakers sound like they are playing in mud. I'm not sure I've ever heard anything that was so muddied and just plain awful. It wasn't just one system, there were 2 of them different models and they both sounded atrocious.

They look nice I'll give them that, they are attractive in that flashy way, but I bet even someone deaf from artillery can hear how bad these things sound.

[ChuckyG @ Jan 7th 2009 9:11PM]

These are old..... I work at Best Buy and that system with the subwoofer and the one without are already going clearance at the stores. That round clock radio is the newest but that has been on shelves for months now.

[gremo @ Jan 7th 2009 9:13PM]

Yeah I have, they wound like something I would expect to pay $20 for, Sony really shouldn't touch audio gear, add to the aweful sound quality, this looks like it's something out of the 80's, what were they thinking.

[Ethan @ Jan 7th 2009 9:21PM]

It was very 'kind' of them.

[Indie @ Jan 8th 2009 1:05PM]

should be "King"

[chefgon_ign @ Jan 7th 2009 9:33PM]

Uh, wait, are you serious? Sony makes tons of iPod accessories, they have for years.

[Ali @ Jan 8th 2009 4:17AM]

yep... Engadget has even posted about it repeatedly since 2007 http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/02/sony-announces-cpf-ip001-ipod-audio-docking-station/

[FILA @ Jan 7th 2009 9:36PM]

never had good luck with these kind of radios, although they were made by shitty SHARP, the speakers blow, shitty, just shitty, i dont know how the sonys would work thou, but it doesnt matter i wouldnt buy this for two reasons, one it has a ipod dock so fuck that non sence, and b, i already have a 180 watt 2.1 system hooked up to my computer with every song i could ever imagine, and working on movies along with my radio stations broadcasting from online. put my radio on a yahoo widget, my music is never to many clicks away.

[ecking01 @ Jan 7th 2009 11:42PM]

I don't buy a ton of sony stuff anymore but I gotta admit I'm loving my sony iphone capable clock radio, it's nice and sounds more than good enough for a bedroom. That said does anyone really go for these boombox designs anymore?

[Arkenklo @ Jan 8th 2009 2:28AM]

What. The. Fuck.

That thing is way to cool for a Ipod.

[Aaron @ Jan 8th 2009 4:43AM]

I don't know about the quality of these newer Sony stereo sets, but I have a HCX-GX40 that I recieved as a birthday present five years ago and it's still going strong. I regularly crank it up near-full because I have it hooked to my PC through the audio out, as an alternative to a regular PC speaker setup. The audio quality isn't bad for a cheap 2.1 stereo with a 3-disc changer, IMO.

The look of this is a bit gaudy, though...

[Galley @ Jan 8th 2009 8:25AM]

Have you ever known anyone that actually bought a shelf system like that? Those things are so large, they require their own dedicated room.

[Hey U @ Jan 8th 2009 2:01PM]

I bought this system minus the woofer after returning one of those Altec docks. It's been a toss up with Sony products the last few years but the price was attractive. Let me tell you this thing BUMPS! Crisp Highs, nice mids and warm lows. If I'm not mistaken the speaker box is made out of wood, giving a more "old school" warm feel to the new age digital music. With out the woofer this thing has much bass, can't imagine with the woofer what kind of beef you'll get into with the neighbors.

I was skeptical about the "total" ipod control via remote control but it's true! Hooked up the ipod touch and was browsing threw my catalog across the room. Its of course hard to navigate threw the ipod across the room because of the small ipod screen but I guess if you have it memorized. It was kinda cool to see the cover art switch with the songs in shuffle mode.

Sony got this one right!...Maybe I should wait a year to say that..lol