"Make it small and pack it tall" is the motto of the SC-EN9. The vertical CD drive gives it a Bang & Olufsen-inspired pose, and the integrated DAB radio will satisfy those looking for a wider choice of radio listening. A motorised fascia slides down like something from an 80s sci-fi movie to reveal the CD-loading mechanism -- this drive is happy to read home-recorded CDs packed with MP3s. Its sound quality is a little boxy, so audiophiles won't be scrawling its name and number on toilet walls, but for casual listening it's fine.
There's a bunch of presets to 'enhance' your listening experience, which includes XBS, Clear, Soft and Vocal equalisation. There's also a 'Live Virtualiser' designed to give a live feel to DAB or CD. Why you'd want to make something that wasn't recorded live sound live is puzzling, but we suppose there is some strange pleasure to be had in convincing your neighbours that Celine Dion really is in your kitchen. If you've got any noisy building work to do, pop on her CD and explain away the drilling and banging as the sounds of you killing Celine -- no one is going to object to that. -CS
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