jeff --most every good medium size box i listen to --has a better bass output at quiet volumes then the m70 --
just to list a few -
aiwa 950//770 , lasonic 918//920 , crown 850//945, sanyo 9994// 9996//9998
i have bought & sold and traded about 10 m70s --
so --i dont think they were all equally deficient..
just the jvc design ? maybe
but --the m70 blows away most boxes when its cranked --
so -
to most --its a keeper