I wanted a CD player i could have in the bedroom for when i was lying in bed reading, and one i could have in the kitchen when i was cooking, and one i could have next to me when i'm on the computer. Didn't need to be loud, just decent sound quality and portable. I ended up with this great little Jensen "ghettoman".
It's cube shaped. Like 5" each way. Put your CD in the top. The front panel looks like a CD walkman. The sides are speakers. The back has an external input for an MP3 player. It can run on batteries too. $35, man! $35. This is possibly THE best buy i have ever made in my life. I'm seriously considering buying another one in case this one dies.
http://www.spectraintl.com/xjen/cd-478.html
Right now it's playing me C + C Music Factory "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" :-)