I agree. I bought
this one, which I think is the same thing you're talking about, for my parents in December. I would rather read subtitles with no sound than have to experience that POS again. It was faulty the day I got it. Had really arb controls. Sound quality was **** (bass was too overpowering, no way to turn it down). I think a rotten potato could do a better job.
For myself though, I bought
this for about R2400 at the time, and haven't looked back. I am really happy with the sound quality.