Boomy bass
We didn't expect the EX1000 to sound great--and it didn't--but most listeners will find the sound quality acceptable. When we fired up Outkast's tune "Synthesizer," we experimented with the unit's S-Bass knob, selecting different levels of bass-boost intensity. The EX1000 also has four equalizer presets and a Power Surround mode that makes the sound seem a little more spacious. While the speakers' side-firing subwoofers delivered enough feel-it-in-your-chest bass to satisfy, their sloppiness was displeasing; in place of the kick drum's usual punchy accuracy, there was a blurry boom.
The EX1000's treble and midrange performance isn't particularly smooth, but it isn't excessively abrasive either. When we played Bruce Springsteen's Born To Run, the Boss's voice was missing some of its characteristic lower midrange robustness, and the upper frequencies were slightly grainy. That said, the EX1000 plays loud enough for a small- or medium-sized room and doesn't easily distort unless bass boost is maximized and the volume is cranked. Ultimately, we didn't mind using the EX1000 for background music, but we wouldn't recommend it for intensive, focused listening. There are other minisystems in this price range that may not look quite as good but do sound better.
At $299 (list price), the Rio EX1000 is a bit overpriced, considering its limited features and unimpressive sound. Although you can find the EX1000 for around $250, if you're willing to forgo the tape deck, check out RCA's $200 RS2538, a five-CD unit with MP3 CD playback.
