I decided to listen to my mp3s today through two very different boxes.One was my (top) MI J8080 Masterblaster (24w) from the '80s and the other was my (bottom) Panasonic RX-CT900 (45w) from the '90s.I played mostly guitar rock selections.My preference of the 2 didn't surprise me but might surprise some of you.
The Masterblaster is a very cheaply made box.It appears to have been made to sell in a drug or department store with a low price as a priority.I can imagine a stack of these sitting by the cash register in a SuperX drugs.It is,however,in typical '80s fashion a very loud box.It has very cheap "Rising" labeled woofers with stiff surrounds and metal plate tweeters.It has a 5 band equalizer but the box doesn't have much fullness to the bass.However,It just belts out the mids and has "glassy" highs.It was obviously made to give guitar a very sharp and up front sound.Due to its cheap woofs,this probably wasn't designed for those requiring loads of bass.This lo-fi sound delivered VERY LOUDLY is what I remember so fondly from the '80s.It was a very exciting and electrifying listen, great for rock and metal!
Then I played the same music over the Pana RX-CT900.This higher power box has a good bit of bass,a 6 band EQ, and is well built compared to the Masterblaster.Typically,I sure most people would say they enjoy its higher fidelity compared to "lesser" models.Replaying all the tunes,I appreciated a fuller,bassy presence.But something was missing terribly.The highs just seemed flat."Polite" I suppose would be a better word.I tweaked the upper sliders to their maximum positions.Still it just wasn't an exciting listen the way I experienced with the cheaper blaster.The only thing left to do was add equalization from the MP3 player itself.From the player,I pushed the treble even more.Now things sharpened up and began to deliver some excitement.The highs were more like that of the Masterblaster.
The verdict?As stock units,I actually preferred the very cheap Masterblaster for my listening tastes! With the extra EQ,I would have chosen the RX-CT900 as it added fullness to the bottom end.It may be I prefer lower fidelity sound or it may be that the equalizer on the CT-900 just doesn't have a big enough range of effect.Actually,I really haven't heard a '90s box that has enough highs for my liking so I think it might be I just like higher distortion in my music.Some of you guys know how I feel on this subject.I just thought it funny that I would like a cheap box like the Masterblaster over a high end PLATINUM SERIES Panasonic.Com on guys,laugh at me
I really feel most late model boxes are made for chamber music.
variety which I doubt. 
I'd bet there are more people who like shrieking sound,they're just not willing to admit it.After all,they did design boxes with that type of sound and its for a reason.I wish you guys would make a "Jovie" list of all the shriekers you have so I could offer to take them off your hands.