Best Buy Ratings and Reviews

Best Buy Ratings and Reviews

Customer Reviews for Panasonic 40W Wall-Mountable Compact Stereo System with Apple® iPod® Dock

Panasonic 40W Wall-Mountable Compact Stereo System with Apple® iPod® Dock

Model: SC-HC55
SKU: 2155409
UPC: 885170039315
This compact stereo system features 2 speakers with 2-1/2" bamboo woofer cones and 19/32" Piezo tweeters for brilliant audio. The built-in dock for iPod and iPhone® allows you to listen to your favorite tunes.
Average Customer Rating:
4.647 out of 5
4.6
 out of 
5
(17 Reviews) 17
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating Snapshot 17 reviews
5 stars
13
4 stars
2
3 stars
2
2 stars
0
1 star
0
88% of customers would recommend this product to a friend 
(
15 out of 17
)
Customer Questions & Answers:
26 Questions | 40 Answers
Customer Reviews for Panasonic 40W Wall-Mountable Compact Stereo System with Apple® iPod® Dock
Review 1 for Panasonic 40W Wall-Mountable Compact Stereo System with Apple® iPod® Dock

Great for my apartment!

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: JoannainNH
from New Hampshire
on 04/02/2012
What's great about it: The size and great sound
What's not so great: no complaints!
This stereo is perfect for my apartment! Its small and compact, but has excellent sound! You can mount it on the wall, or stand it..love the fact that I can charge my ipod, or listen to it, or play it wirelessly as Im cleaning. The sound is very crisp and clean, and there is no distortion when you turn up the volume! If you are looking for something small and compact then this is for you!
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 2 for Panasonic 40W Wall-Mountable Compact Stereo System with Apple® iPod® Dock

Traded in the Bose for this system

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: cas300D
from New Jersey
on 01/25/2012
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Sound Quality
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Features
5.0 out of 5
5.0
What's great about it: Sound quality
My father in law was very annoyed that he could not adjust the bass or treble on his new Bose Wave Radio so he returned it. I saw this device and got it for him, he loves it and quite frankly for a 3rd of the price its a steal compaired to the Bose.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 3 for Panasonic 40W Wall-Mountable Compact Stereo System with Apple® iPod® Dock

Really like this unit.

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: Anonymous
from Salem, OR
on 01/21/2012
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Sound Quality
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Features
5.0 out of 5
5.0
What's great about it: Good price, sound quality, Bluetooth enabled
What's not so great: Haven't found anything we don't like yet.
Bought this to have music in the bedroom. My husband is picky about sound quality and he is happy with it. I love that it has Bluetooth and I can easily play music and control it from my iPhone from across the room. It looks very nice on my dresser. We have not tried the wall mount. Very happy with this purchase.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+3points
3out of 3found this review helpful.
Review 4 for Panasonic 40W Wall-Mountable Compact Stereo System with Apple® iPod® Dock

This is a fantastic product, just wish it had bass

Customer Rating
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Posted by: hightechconsultant
from Walnut Creek,CA
on 01/14/2012
Value for Price
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Sound Quality
2.0 out of 5
2.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Features
5.0 out of 5
5.0
What's great about it: Connection to the internet and ipod
What's not so great: Lack of Bass
I purchased this product to replace a 20 year old component shelf system. The idea of streaming music off the internet or having a convenient connection to my ipod was exactly what I wanted. The styling, controls, and CD/ipod mechanism worked perfectly. Everything about this unit exuded cutting edge technology. I hadn’t had the opportunity to listen to the SC-HC55 before purchasing but most reviews were very positive so I bought it sound unheard!
After setting the unit up where my old component system had been housed, I inserted one of my favorite Christmas CDs, “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo” by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It was then I realized that this unit was incapable of producing the bass that I had become accustomed to listening to for many years. I then switched to a radio music station and listened further. I brought my clock radio down for comparison. There wasn’t much difference.
Bottom line, the SC-HC55 is a great system if you can over look the fact that the unit can’t produce any bass. If Panasonic had provided a connection to add an external speaker it might have been acceptable but in the end I returned the unit and bought a new component system with separate speakers. It doesn’t have internet radio or connection to my ipod but it sure sounds a lot better. I might be old school but that’s what is important to me and Panasonic missed the mark.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+7points
7out of 7found this review helpful.
Review 5 for Panasonic 40W Wall-Mountable Compact Stereo System with Apple® iPod® Dock

Pretty much what we were looking for

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: LawTech
from Richmond Va
on 01/11/2012
Value for Price
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Sound Quality
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Ease of Use
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Features
5.0 out of 5
5.0
What's great about it: SIze, sound and features
What's not so great: Button lables are small
The sound is pretty good, but the size and features are what make this a good unit. Some mornings you want to hear the news from the radio. Other days you may want to listen to your IPOD, either docked and charging, or through Bluetooth. It can also play CD's we create and can handle Pandora through the IPhone.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 6 for Panasonic 40W Wall-Mountable Compact Stereo System with Apple® iPod® Dock

Beautiful Sound

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: demoore
from martinsville,va
on 01/09/2012
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Sound Quality
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Features
5.0 out of 5
5.0
This model features and sound is one of the best we have ever installed in our kitchen.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 7 for Panasonic 40W Wall-Mountable Compact Stereo System with Apple® iPod® Dock

Great! Only one thing...

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: AdrianH
from Johns Creek, GA
on 01/07/2012
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Sound Quality
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Features
5.0 out of 5
5.0
It is a great audio system. I love it. It is easy to use, sounds great, has many great features, and is inexpensive for what it offers.
All i have noticed is that when an iPod is connected in the dock, the songs do not advance about every 7 songs.
Considering all the great features and all the pros there are with this product, this little con is not worth not buying this system.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 8 for Panasonic 40W Wall-Mountable Compact Stereo System with Apple® iPod® Dock

Everything we wanted

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: CBBINIC
from Iowa City, IA
on 12/15/2011
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Sound Quality
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Features
5.0 out of 5
5.0
We were wanted to be able to listen to CDs, the Ipod and the radio without taking up a lot of counter space. We are very happy with this model.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+3points
3out of 3found this review helpful.
Review 9 for Panasonic 40W Wall-Mountable Compact Stereo System with Apple® iPod® Dock

Streaming audio wonder for iPhone/iPod

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: PGHMike
from Pittsburgh, PA
on 11/22/2011
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Sound Quality
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Features
5.0 out of 5
5.0
What's great about it: Bluetooth streaming
What's not so great: $200 (but worth it)
No more wires! I love bluetooth streaming. Build and sound quality are excellent and it's elegant looking as well. Could not ask for more. Highly recommend this audio wonder...
I would recommend this to a friend!
+4points
4out of 4found this review helpful.
Review 10 for Panasonic 40W Wall-Mountable Compact Stereo System with Apple® iPod® Dock

Happy with the product

Customer Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Posted by: BreadBaker
from MO
on 10/27/2011
Value for Price
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Sound Quality
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Features
4.0 out of 5
4.0
What's great about it: Sound is great
What's not so great: A little flimsy if not wall mounted.
If not wall mounted it is a little wobbly when loading a CD or IPod. But it sounds ggreat. I am happy with it. The controls on the system are a little hard to figure out (slight sight problem) but the remote is very eaasy to usr.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+7points
7out of 7found this review helpful.
Review 11 for Panasonic 40W Wall-Mountable Compact Stereo System with Apple® iPod® Dock

Great sound

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: ONGM
from Tuscaloosa, AL
on 08/23/2011
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Sound Quality
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Features
5.0 out of 5
5.0
What's great about it: Sound and features
What's not so great: mounting was a bit tricky bc the screws were not proper for mounting to a wall.
Looked for what seemed like forever for a stereo system that I could mount to the wall for docking my iPod. I came across this one in the local best buy as well as a similar model. This one does have great features and is overall a great system.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+4points
7out of 10found this review helpful.
Review 12 for Panasonic 40W Wall-Mountable Compact Stereo System with Apple® iPod® Dock

Winning!!!!

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: 504maestro
from New Orleans, LA
on 08/10/2011
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Sound Quality
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Features
5.0 out of 5
5.0
What's great about it: Everything
What's not so great: Nothing
This stereo is AWESOME. It sounds immaculate, generally easy to use, and a decent price. I freak people out with the motion sensors.lol. I use the Bluetooth feature to wirelessly listen to my iTunes on my laptop through the stereo. If you're buying this for personal use, you can't pick a better stereo than this one.
P.S.: If you do get it, the remote is in the styrofoam. I didn't realize it and took it back to the store.lol.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+9points
10out of 11found this review helpful.
Review 13 for Panasonic 40W Wall-Mountable Compact Stereo System with Apple® iPod® Dock

Great CD player and radio

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: suzanneu
from wisconsin
on 08/10/2011
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Sound Quality
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Features
5.0 out of 5
5.0
What's great about it: Sound, style, remote control, ease in using
What's not so great: I love it!
This compact stereo system is not only very sleek and modern looking, the sound is extraordinary and can't beat the features. I was looking for a simple CD player, but paid a little more and thought I would try this compact stereo...I was NOT disappointed!
It's not a BOSE brand, but I am just as happy with the sound, and quality of the system - I would suggest this system to anyone looking for a compact system with quality sound!
I would recommend this to a friend!
+11points
11out of 11found this review helpful.
Review 14 for Panasonic 40W Wall-Mountable Compact Stereo System with Apple® iPod® Dock

you could get better

Customer Rating
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Posted by: steelers83
from pittsburgh, pa
on 07/24/2011
Value for Price
1.0 out of 5
1.0
Sound Quality
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Features
4.0 out of 5
4.0
What's great about it: sound quality, easty to use, appearance
What's not so great: compatibility, false advertisement
First off, this is a great looking unit. The music is also crisp and fills a large room quite well. The Vtuner app is a waste of time and money, because you can get Slacker Radio or Pandora for free. It's the same thing as Vtuner but way better. Just a way for Panasonic to make it appear more iphone/ipod friendly. The unit does not actually have wifi access or internet like it seems to market, it is just connecting through a cell phone via blue-tooth and using it's internet. Speaking of blue-tooth, I pay $200 for this thing and it will only stream music from an ipod or iphone? I understand the dock was created for these, but why can't I connect any blue-tooth phone and play the music from it??? Tried connecting a blackberry and the unit would not find it. Nice unit, but this is too much money for the lack of support it has. There are better choices out there.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-3points
4out of 11found this review helpful.
Review 15 for Panasonic 40W Wall-Mountable Compact Stereo System with Apple® iPod® Dock

You've got to be Crazy

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: Droidiphile
from SF Bay Area
on 07/13/2011
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Sound Quality
2.0 out of 5
2.0
Ease of Use
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Features
5.0 out of 5
5.0
What's great about it: Approved by my psych patients !!!
What's not so great: iPod bay fumbling
tl/dr :
For the niche this unit occupies, it does a fantastic job!!!
1) great sound quality wherever the engineers were not constrained by size, leaving only poor bass to complain about, which was expected, but incredible 3D sound stage and clarity (I'm truly blown away)
2) Bluetooth streaming = awesome
3) Survivability via no poke-able speaker cones whether you are dealing with psych patients or a drunken dorm party
4) Super compact - I can fit this unit into my over-the-shoulder courier bag (barely, but it fits).
5) Coolness factors : I can say "Open the pod bay door HAL.", press a button, and the iPod bay opens.
6) charges iPod while unit is OFF but still plugged into the wall.
Got time / read moar:
I am a psych nurse. I bought this unit to be used for the dance therapy groups I lead for my psych patients. Dance connects the abstract (music) with the physical (coordinated movement). Anyway, I needed a unit that could take some anticipated abuse, was super compact, and here is the kicker, would allow my colleagues to stream songs from their Bluetooth devices, thus increasing our library of songs immensely. This box meets all of those work-related requirements with perfection. The front of the unit has semi-solid faces, so there is no speaker cone surface available to be potentially poked/damaged.
I have an audiophile quality system for home use, so seriously, I do not expect superb sound from small units such as the SC-HC55, and as expected, the bass is notably lacking even with all possible EQ adjustments set to maximize bass - not phase linear. What is a very nice surprise is the incredible stereo image when you turn on surround sound plus clarity/definition. I'm shocked that there is such a beautiful 3D sound stage even though the speakers are separated only by the iPod and CD bays. Clarity is at HD audio quality to my ears - again, I'm shocked. I want to emphasize the beauty of the sound stage and incredible clarity. I haven't seen a schematic, but whatever the engineers did, they got these parameters right according to my ears. I cannot ask for anything more from such a petite system.
iPod bay = mixed results. I did what the instruction said and placed my docking adapter(z), then tried to install my iPod(z). My older 2G Nano fits/works really great, but my newer iPod Touch is a seriously tight squeeze and it's more advanced functions don't seem to be supported by the remote clicker wand. Fumbling is a good word. Maybe I was supposed to use a dock-extender cable rather than plugging my iPod directly in - I don't know - but my Nano fits excellently, and the Touch works but has fit issues and it seems like I need tiny little pixie fingers to place the Touch into the bay with any degree of style.
Have fun with it guys!!!! It's a cool little system that is now a permanent home for my 2G Nano. If audiophile / phase linear sound is your thing, do not look here. If you want something solid that maximizes it's strengths as a petite system, this box is a great buy !!!!
I would recommend this to a friend!
+11points
11out of 11found this review helpful.
Review 16 for Panasonic 40W Wall-Mountable Compact Stereo System with Apple® iPod® Dock

Good except for one small problem...

Customer Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Posted by: BuhoLoco40
from Jacksonville, FL
on 06/01/2011
Value for Price
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Sound Quality
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Features
5.0 out of 5
5.0
What's great about it: Internet radio capable, slim design, great sound
What's not so great: Built more for the iPod Touch / iPhone, fast forward issue
I purchased this, and I think it's a great system. Great sound, and the ability to open the iPod and CD sections with a hand wave is a cool feature. The design is slick, and I like the thin size of it. I've played around with the Internet radio too. Some people will balk at having to buy the vTuner app, but if you're not going to use Internet radio, skip buying it. Of course, if you're not using Internet radio, you may want to look into the SC-HC35, which costs less, and has the same basic function as this unit.
The only real issue I have with this unit is that it seems to be designed for the iPod Touch or the iPhone, as opposed to the iPod Classic. When skipping to the next track, there are times when the system will fast forward about 5 seconds, instead of moving to the next track. This happens about every 5 or 6 tracks.
Aside from that small gripe, this really is a nice system.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+8points
8out of 8found this review helpful.
Review 17 for Panasonic 40W Wall-Mountable Compact Stereo System with Apple® iPod® Dock

WOW I LOVE IT!!

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: Robomom
from Lake Wylie, SC
on 05/28/2011
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Sound Quality
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Features
5.0 out of 5
5.0
What's great about it: The size, price, and great sound.
What's not so great: I haven't found it yet!!
Just purchased this system and I am totally in love with it!! Not only was it easy to use, set up, and set in the place I needed it but the price was perfect. I have it in a good size bedroom and the sound is wonderful. I could not have found a more perfect match for my needs. If you are looking for a sleek and powerful sound system that takes up very little room, look no further!!
I would recommend this to a friend!
+5points
5out of 5found this review helpful.