Panasonic SC-DM202EGK CD, DAB+ / FM Radio All-in-One Stereo System vs SC-PM702 Neat Micro System with CD, Radio & Bluetooth — Comparison

The Panasonic SC-DM202EGK is a compact all-in-one stereo at £126 with a CD player, DAB+ and FM radio, USB and a remote control. Its RMS power output is 12W, it has no headphone socket, and it comes in a black wooden cabinet design. The Panasonic SC-PM702 is a Neat Micro System at £179 with the same CD, DAB and FM tuners, USB and remote, but it is rated at 80W RMS and adds a headphone socket, five preset EQ settings, Bluetooth connectivity and sound remastering.

On paper the difference is power and features. The SC-PM702 offers more than six times the RMS output of the DM202, which matters if you play music in a bigger room or at higher volume, and the headphone socket and EQ let you tune the sound. Buyers of the DM202 are generally happy with the sound for such a small unit, though one found it tinny. Owners of the PM702 praise crisp, clear sound with good bass and treble control, and say it fits small spaces without losing quality.

Watch the drawbacks. The DM202's music and station browsing is described as fiddly, and its controls and screen are small for some older users. The PM702's main complaint is the CD display, which shows only the word CD rather than track and time, and repeat or random modes take several remote presses. If you want to stream music from a phone, the PM702 is the model that offers Bluetooth.

Bottom line: choose the SC-DM202EGK if you want a small, cheaper stereo for a bedroom or kitchen counter and mainly listen at modest volume, and choose the SC-PM702 if you want much more power, a headphone socket and EQ and can live with the CD display quirks.