Panasonics front loading CD player - door opens upwards in a folding motion, CDs are easy to insert. Close door, press play and away it goes. All of the controls are on the lower edge of the stereo and on the remote control too. You can programme - repeat etc - but what's wrong with just listening to the CD I say.
The sound quality is superb for such a small player. I have never even got anywhee near full volume.
The speakers are separate with a few wires each, but they need to be next to the stereo - it looks odd otherwise, and for this reason ti needs to be located so you see it front on not side on - positioning matters with this - from the side you see the wires.
Radio signal - requires the small square aerial to be plugged in - so I have given up on this as I don't want to see it.
Mp3 player is USB type connection, no problems with this whatsoever using both mine and my daughters MP3.