10 best music centers 2020 for home

Why do you need a music center, if an inexpensive radio tape recorder can play your favorite melody? Well, if the sound quality is not very important to you, then the stereo system is really a useless thing. But people with an ear for music or party lovers cannot do without high-quality acoustics.

Which music center is better to buy for home, all the pros and cons of popular models are in our rating, compiled taking into account the rating, popularity and reviews of the models on the Yandex.Market website.

10. Ruark Audio R4MK3

• microsystem
• acoustics 2.1
• total power 80 W
• CD playback
• FM radio
• support for MP3 formats
• USB playback
• connection: bluetooth
• headphone connection

The model that will immediately attract attention opens the rating of music centers in terms of sound quality in 2020. Whatever you say, but the owners will have to look at the "body" of the music center every day, so the appearance for such a system is almost as important as its sound.

From this point of view, Ruark Audio R4MK3 will not disappoint: imagine a receiver from the 60s, only made and modern materials using modern technologies, and even brought to visual perfection by a British designer.

Yes, Ruark Audio is a UK company with a solid reputation that is difficult to earn in the Hi-Fi audio environment. At one time, the predecessors of the R4MK3 - R1MK3 and R2MK3 - received high marks from critics both in terms of performance and sound. And the "descendant" does not lag behind them, however, for 100% quality you will have to disable some preset settings, for example, loud mode; it cuts highs, boosts lows, and is only suitable for parties.

This model can play CDs and catch a radio, it has a 3.5mm input, a digital optical input and a USB port. And Ruark Audio R4MK3 can play MP3, WMA and AAC both from a memory card and via Bluetooth.

pros: Great sound and cute design, easy to use.

Minuses: no Wi-Fi, high price.

9. YAMAHA MCR-B020

• microsystem
• power 2 × 15 W
• CD playback
• FM radio
• support for MP3 formats
• connection: bluetooth
• headphone connection

The Yamaha MCR-B020 Music Center is a compact home stereo system perfect for a small room. Her design is simple, it does not strike the eye, and therefore it is difficult to believe that such a baby makes such a loud sound. The center has a CD drive, USB port, display, radio antenna and analog input.

Strictly speaking, the system consists of three components - a central and two separate speakers. The columns do not exceed 16 cm in height, but they are rather weighty, so all three elements will pull almost 5 kg. Apparently due to the quality of the materials, they sound so good. Of course, this is not a sound for true aesthetes, and not many of us have access to the cork room in real life. But even in an ordinary room, the MCR-B020's sound is very decent, with clear mids and highs and deep and punchy bass.

pros: good audio quality, juicy bass, smart Bluetooth, compact.

Minuses: speakers on wires, cheap plastic front panel and buttons.

8. Onkyo CS-N575D

• microsystem
• power 2 × 20 W
• CD playback
• FM radio
• support for MP3, FLAC formats
• USB playback
• connection: Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
• line audio input
• headphone connection

One of the main advantages of the Onkyo CS-N575D is omnivorousness.Not every music center is capable of reading both a CD and a USB flash drive, picking up several radio channels, playing a song from a smartphone via Bluetooth and boasting the presence of Google Chromecast.

But the Onkyo CS-N575D's capabilities are best revealed when streaming audio from all sources, except, perhaps, AirPlay. This means that the CS-N575D can connect via Wi-Fi and integrate seamlessly into your smart home network. By the way, the center also has an analog input.

Interestingly, despite its impressive and serious appearance, the system is de facto very light (weighs no more than 2.5 kg). But for audiophiles accustomed to the idea that the heavier the system, the better it sounds, don't worry. According to the developers, the reason for the low weight and good sound is the new type of amplifier. In addition, Onkyo engineers could afford to use high-tech plastic, which has less resonance than, for example, aluminum or steel.

pros: great sound, light, compact, omnivorous.

Minuses: price.

7.Panasonic SC-MAX3500GS

• minisystem
• CD playback
• FM radio
• support for MP3 formats
• USB playback
• connection: bluetooth
• line audio input
• karaoke function

Before buying a Panasonic SC-MAX3500GS, you should think carefully about how to take it home from the store.

It is better to order delivery, because the center is large and heavy, the unit itself weighs about 5 kg, and the speakers - 15 kg each. Their sizes are appropriate. It is best to choose a place for the center in advance and you may have to adapt a separate bedside table for it.

Is the center worth the trouble? Certainly. This is a great, quality product with great build quality. The sound corresponds to the size: deep bass, clean high tones (we add that there is a separate connection wire for each range). Not only that, this sound can also be improved thanks to the equalizer settings.

pros: build quality, sound.

Minuses: large and bulky.

6. Denon CEOL Piccolo N4

• microsystem
• power 2 × 40 W
• without optical drive
• internet radio
• support for MP3, FLAC formats
• USB playback
• connection: Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
• iPod support
• line audio input
• headphone connection

Denon is renowned for its micro systems. They look simple and stylish at the same time. Piccolo N4 is no exception. It is more like a stack of 5 DVDs in size. This device is controlled via its own remote application or remote control, so there is no need for an abundance of buttons and toggle switches. And the range of settings is wide, from the equalizer to the control of other networked Bluetooth devices.

For such a small center, the Piccolo produces a very good sound. A pair of 65W channels is enough to power the speakers (which, by the way, can be suspended) with clear and loud sound.

The device can play both traditional MP3 and WMA, AAC, FLAC and other formats, and directly through the USB input. There are both optical and line inputs, radio, Wi-Fi support, as well as streaming audio services.

pros: Small footprint, support for streaming services like Spotify and Air Play.

Minuses: no CD drive.

5. Pioneer X-SMC01BT-K

• microsystem
• power 2 × 10 W
• CD playback
• FM radio
• support for MP3 formats
• USB playback
• connection: bluetooth
• iPod support
• line audio input

A small music center, which is not at all as linear as it seems at first glance. Its speakers are slightly angled, which contributes to better sound distribution throughout the apartment. The sound itself is not bad, and, despite its size, the system is capable of delivering both full bass and clear highs.

By the way, the center can play music from almost any medium (unless it can handle it from a cassette). There's Bluetooth, USB, line-in, CD, and even iPod support.

pros: omnivorous, price / sound ratio.

Minuses: no.

4. Sony MHC-V21D

• midisystem
• acoustics 2.1
• DVD playback
• FM radio
• support for MP3 formats
• USB playback
• connection: HDMI, Bluetooth
• line audio input
• karaoke function

A couple of years ago, Sony added an interesting model to its main line of music centers. It is a portable music center that can play music via Bluetooth, USB and NFC.The case has a carrying handle, so that the device can be carried from place to place in the apartment, if so desired.

The Sony MHC-V21D Music Center is also equipped with a built-in DVD-player that reproduces high-quality sound via HDMI. Plus the device has an LDAC, which is said to be capable of transferring three times more data than regular Bluetooth on similar systems.

Portable system? High power? Omnivorous? It seems that the purpose of this music center is clear - parties. It even has a PARTY CHAIN ​​mode, allowing you to daisy chain multiple mini-speakers via Bluetooth for truly powerful sound.

In addition, users can use preset modes to mix and even create their own sound effects.

pros: good sound, power, omnivorous, transportability.

Minuses: heavy (8.4 kg).

3. Panasonic SC-PM250

• microsystem
• power 2 × 10 W
• CD playback
• radio receiver AM, FM
• support for MP3 formats
• USB playback
• connection: bluetooth

The three best music centers of 2020 are opened by a small entry-level Hi-Fi system equipped with a CD player, radio, USB port and Bluetooth support. Of course, it is difficult to call it multifunctional, but have you seen many worthy centers for such a sum? And even with wooden walls?

Although there is only one speaker at the center, with a diameter of 10 cm, it reproduces the mid and low frequencies well. Moreover, there is an adjustable equalizer (separate for high and low frequencies), and not preset modes.

pros: price / sound ratio.

Minuses: no headphone jack and analog input.

2. LG FH6

• minisystem
• without optical drive
• FM radio
• support for MP3 formats
• USB playback
• connection: bluetooth
• line audio input
• karaoke function

In full, the name of the LG FH6 sounds like this: X-BOOM Freestyler. And from the design it is clear what it is for and how the creators planned to use it. In fact, before you is a giant portable radio tape recorder, which has been equipped with some interesting functions for beauty. The party goers will surely be delighted with them.

This music center itself is large, it weighs 17 kg, and is slightly more than 80 cm high. It is designed so that it can be placed both vertically and horizontally, and rubber feet in the appropriate places give stability. Inside there are two speakers for the bass and midrange, as well as two for the treble. We did not mention the speakers for nothing - they are backlit by LEDs. The body is also decorated with them, and during the music the LEDs move merrily.

Like many other centers in the same price category, LG FH6 supports Bluetooth, catches radio, is equipped with a USB drive (reads, however, only MP3 and WMA) and an analog input. And the microphone input can be used for karaoke.

And finally, a proprietary feature - a DJ round button, by pressing which, you can release a completely “DJ” sound into the world (by default it is very loud, so we recommend turning down the power first). In addition to sound, there are four more "DJ" effects that will modulate music almost like in a club.

pros: good sound, the most powerful musical center of the rating, there is karaoke.

Minuses: although the center is positioned as portable, it does not have a battery.

1. LG CM2460

• microsystem
• power 2 × 50 W
• CD playback
• FM radio
• support for MP3, FLAC formats
• USB playback
• connection: bluetooth
• line audio input

The leader in the rating of musical centers was a model that was not fancy, not expensive, but with great capabilities. There are not many music centers in this price category that can play mp3 and flac, catch the radio, have a USB port, and support Bluetooth. Let's add here also nice little things in the form of an alarm clock, a timer and remembering the last played file. The power of the system is not bad, in a small room you will have to turn down the sound.

As for the sound itself, it is more than good. It is a little frustrating, however, that there is no way to adjust the equalizers for yourself (there are only pre-installed classic modes like "rock", "classic", "pop" and so on). But there is bass, at high volume the sound is practically not distorted. And if the soul asks for something more, we recommend installing other, better speakers.

pros: price / functionality ratio, sound quality, power.

Minuses: very easily soiled body, you cannot adjust the equalizer.