RCA Audio Systems combine smart features, great convenience... and a mountain of sound. And with features like bass boost and electronic equalization, you can customize your sounds to match your mood, your music... or your parents' pain threshold. Pick RCA Audio - and get ready to rumble.
At first glance, RCA's RS-1249 compact system seems a bit too flashy with its bulbous shape, colored lights, and tiny icons of guitar, sax, and orchestra conductor (which glow red if you've selected one of their corresponding equalization settings). But looks can be deceiving. It's actually a remarkably good-sounding compact system with far more substance than flash.
The RS-1249 comes equipped with a three-disc drawer-type CD changer, a dual-well cassette deck, a digital AM/FM tuner with 32 presets, two-way speakers, and a full-function remote control. This unit is pleasingly intuitive to operate. Although you'll want to consult the manual for advanced functions, getting it up and running is easy. For example, the RS-1249 automatically senses your tape type (chrome, normal, etc.) and sets the recording level, so recording to cassette is essentially a one-button operation. The full-function remote is also a model of clean design.
We were immediately impressed by the RS-1249's open and rich musical presentation. In fact, its sound is so seductively smooth and warm, we'd go as far as to use the word "creamy." Two other sonic qualities stand out: One is the RS-1249's ability to sound bigger than it is--we never felt like we were listening to just two small speakers. The other is the highly natural tones the RS-1249 brings to instruments and voices.
The RS-1249's excellent digital tuner deserves special mention for its ability to capture stations and for its clear, static-free sound.
If you're looking for a super-affordable, natural sounding, and easy-to-use compact system with just the right set of features, check out RCA's RS-1249. --Wayne Garcia
Pros:
- Full, seductive sound
- Easy to use
- Recording to cassette is a snap
Cons:
- Flashy panel display cannot be turned off
1 good with accessories
This is a great stereo system. I have it hooked up to two large floor speakers and two surround sound speakers and I'm very pleased with the sound quality. I can really shake the walls in my apartment if I feel like it. The system is easy to set up and to use for anyone who isn't a sound technician. I like the remote feature and the preset equalizers (I'm no good at balancing sound). It would be nice if it had a clock feature but I see that as the only drawback to an otherwise simple yet great sounding system.
2 Piece of garbage
I bought this thing before I had any knowledge of what a good piece of audio equipment was. I only had this for about 3 months until it stopped working. Everything was lighting up but when I tried to play a CD or an audio tape or listen to the tuner, there wasn't any audio. The RS1249 had a warranty but it cost me $60 to ship it back to Texas. That was about half of what I paid for it... not cool. I took about 3 weeks to get my replacement for it. In less than a year, that one was total busted as well. It started making weird noises when I opened and closed the CD tray. Then it would occasionally become stuck and I had to apply force to close it until it finally would almost never close. I even had one of my good CDs get stuck in it and I had to take it all apart to get my CD out. When I looked inside, mostly everything that could be plastic WAS plastic. Plastic against plastic doesn't work very well... I speak from experience. Also, in the time that it did work, it would pick up radio signals even when it wasn't set to tuner. It would even pick them up when it was turned off. When I went to bed, I would have to unplug it because it would pick up stations and randomly go on and off with them. The RS1249 also puts of distortion when it is turned off or not being used but it isn't very obvious. Don't waste your money on this piece of garbage. Go out and buy a system that has a receiver and separate CD player or tape deck. If you have to get a book shelf system for space or money reasons, do yourself a favor and don't buy this product
3 The radio on your system "stinks"
I received a RCA RS 1286 for my birthday and am thrilled with the CD and tape player part of it.....but the radio leaves a whole lot to be desired. As with all digitals, a pre-set station is just that....a set station, whereas with analog you can fine tune a station until it comes in clear. If a door closes hard the radio goes way down and then you have to start fiddling again....Not happy with it at all.
Couldn't find this number (1286)on the web so used 1249.
Thanks for the opportunity to voice my displeasure.
Helen L. Bright
18245 305th Ave.
Onida, SD 57564
4 Substandard
Decent sound but within a few weeks the unit had become very temperamental when it came to playing CDs, to the point where it would nearly always stop playing the disc prematurely. I can no longer use it play CDs.
Worst, though, is the fact that the unit is prone to picking up signals from other sources, such as CB radios (which don't affect any other radio I've used in the same location). This happens regardless of whether I'm using the tuner, tape player, or CD player. The only way to avoid this is to unplug it.
5 Satisfying
I recieved this product last christmas and it is still a "satisfying" CD player. I know that I'll be keeping this one for a couple more years.
6 Satisfying
I recieved this product last christmas and it is still a "satisfying" CD player. I know that I'll be keeping this one for a couple more years.
7 A good first stereo - not great.
This was purchased to be the main stereo in a very musically-involved teen's life for the next few years. Having an RCA myself, and having 3 years of a very positive experience with that one, I hoped for the same with this. There are a couple of major drawbacks to this system, that Amazon does not point out in their "technical data" section. Buyers really ought to be made aware of these features, before they purchase this system. The red on/off power light does not EVER really go off. When the stereo's not being used, the system goes into "standby" mode. The power light stays on, and there is a digital readout that says STNDBY on the display - all the time it's "technically" off. Meaning: the light's going to burn out a lot sooner than necessary, and it's annoying - you get the impression that it's on when it's not.It's never really dark, or has a clock on the display when it's off. (There's no clock display, period, unlike many other sytems.) The other thing that isn't terrific is the noise from the tape decks.I'm hoping this will dissipate with time, but I obviously don't know that it will. When either deck is used, there's a motorized noise that eminates from them. The stereo does have better general sound than I had thought something with only 10 watts per channel would. Overall: the "standby" mode is simply a waste of electricity and will eventually leave you with a dead power light. (Bad design idea, RCA. And this absolutely should be mentioned when Amazon gets specific about the technical aspects of this system!)If this isn't a bother, you'll have a sytem with decent sound for an inexpensive price.I happen to believe people really should be aware of what they're buying before it's in their house & the box is opened.
8 I Need That Stereo
I Need That Stereo Until I Can Listen To My Beastie Boys And My Red Hot Chili Peppers CD.
9 CD Jammed within 10 minutes of use
When I received this stereo I was a little disappointed that it didn't have an auxilary input so I could hook my VCR up to it. I decided to open it anyway. I put a CD in the CD tray. It was a little dark in my room, so I wanted to see what track the CD was on. I lifted the CD player like 2 inches. The CD in the player slid out of its tray and jammed the machine. I am returning this product, minus one of my favorite CDs
10 This was good buy
I thought that when i opened the box i wasnt going to be happy since you cant listen to it like at a store when i hooked it up and listened to it. It was a great sound loud and the features are great the only thing is that it doesnt have time on it but that is ok and it is capably of 4 speakers.I would buy this product again if i had to
11 A great impulse buy!
I wasn't actually LOOKING for a compact stereo, although I've wanted one for months. But when browsing through Amazon, I came across this one, read the editorial and customer reviews, and then bought it. Well, it's barely out of the box, and it's fantastic! The sound is great, the controls are clear, the features are easy to use and helpful... basically, what everybody already said here. They were right, and they made me decide to buy it. It's a wonderful stereo at a great price...like everyone else, I highly recommend it!
12 You can't beat this one for value!
Frankly, I didn't expect to like this as much as I do! I expected it to look a little cheap and maybe sound that way too, but when it arrived (in 3 days!), I was very pleasantly surprised. Even if I had had more money to spend on a more expensive system, I doubt if I could be happier than I am now with my new RCA! It has great sound and a sleek, sophisticated design. You can't go wrong with this one!
13 A very good product.
This is a great sounding stereo with a great price. It's worth every cent. A must have for someone who wants spectacular quality with an affordable price.
14 nice for the price
great smooth sound with high powered bass that would make a great gif
