There's still ONKYO gear active in the KAZUKIN household. This time, this one: the ONKYO CR-U1. I apparently bought it about 15 years ago. ...Fifteen years. Had that much time passed? To me it feels like “a component system I bought a little while ago,” but time is frightening.
The reason I bought it: it's just compact
The biggest reason I bought this ONKYO: as good a sound as possible, taking up as little space as possible. That's it. Back then, KAZUKIN wanted to listen to music with reasonably good sound in the kitchen and dining area, separate from the living room. But there wasn't room to plonk down a big amp and speakers. Thinking “I wonder if there's something small that really sounds good,” I was browsing at an electronics store and found this ONKYO. And it was on sale. As I recall, it was about ¥20,000. Compact. ONKYO. And cheap. Yes, bought. With investing I'd read the financial statements a bit more, but with audio my decisions are quick.
Not a “thump!” like BOSE
The sound is still quite good today. It's different from the punchy bass of, say, the BOSE SoundLink Mini II—“How does this small thing produce that bass?” The CR-U1 is more modest. In exchange, its mids and highs are elegant and easy to listen to. It makes vocals and instruments sound pleasantly natural. It doesn't shout “listen to me!” with bass. It quietly says, “Well, I'll play it properly.” That reserved way of working. Nice, right?
But in recent years, a strong rival appeared
Even the CR-U1 has seen less use in recent years. The cause isn't breakdown. It's Alexa. “Alexa, play some music” and Amazon Music plays. No need to insert a CD. No need to connect a phone. No need even to stand up. That's strong. Before sound quality, it's convenient enough to spoil a person. Before I knew it, in the kitchen and dining area, only Alexa is working. CR-U1, on the bench. But every now and then I properly listen to music on the ONKYO. Then, “Ah, this is good too.” Convenience and good sound are, after all, somewhat different things.
Even 15 years ago, it had a LINE input
And this CR-U1, though old, has a LINE input. That's big. From today's Bluetooth-dominated viewpoint it's an old machine, but connect external devices and it's still usable. Being able to enjoy music normally even after 15 years may be a plus of audio equipment. With a phone, I'd hardly think of using a 15-year-old model as my main. But amps and speakers are different. As long as sound comes out, it can still fight. By Ore-shiki standards.
On reflection, there are three ONKYO systems
And this time, looking back at my home audio, I realized: I have three ONKYO component systems. ... KAZUKIN himself has no sense of being an audio maniac. I'm not the type to compare expensive cables or chase power environments. “A decent sound at a decent price” is basically all. But three ONKYO systems. BOSE speakers and headphones too. AirPods too. ... Perhaps KAZUKIN likes audio more than I thought. A case where only the person himself hadn't noticed.
Summary
About 15 years since purchase, the CR-U1 still plays elegant mids and highs unchanged. It lacks the convenience of the latest models. It doesn't answer if I talk to Alexa. It doesn't connect on its own via Bluetooth. But turn it on and play music, and it properly sounds good. That's enough. Considering I bought it for about ¥20,000 back then, it has completely paid for itself. No, it has overpaid. It's going beyond the concept of depreciation. Thank you, ONKYO, for a wonderful product. I'd like to use it for ten more years. Facing a 25-year-old CR-U1, I'd like to listen to music saying things like “Still sounds good.”
ONKYOいいよね
KAZUKIN Rating
- 💰 Purchase cost — ★★★★★ (a 15-year veteran for about ¥20,000)
- 🎵 Elegance of the mids and highs — ★★★★★ (modest but does the job)
- 🔊 Punch of the bass — ★★☆☆☆ (no BOSE-style assertiveness)
- 🗣️ Competitiveness against Alexa — ★★☆☆☆ (completely losing on convenience)
- 🎧 Self-awareness of my ONKYO love — ★☆☆☆☆ (owns three systems and only just noticed)
This article is a personal opinion and record of use. KAZUKIN LAB has no relationship with ONKYO, BOSE or Amazon (Alexa). I'm just an audio-loving customer. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
The illustration is an image based on KAZUKIN's experience. It may differ from real stores and products. It is not an official manufacturer image.