As the MX-500 is exactly the same as the MX-700 minus the computer software interface, I could say it's the best remote I've ever used. I have the MX-700 and I am absolutely blown away by its ergonomics and configurability. I didn't even have to give my wife a primer on it once it was programmed, she just picked it up and started using it (though my wife is pretty techy and actually likes my M80ti tower speakers - which makes her uniquely COOL)
The review is here if you are interested:
http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/htm_mx-700_1.html
Take away everything having to do with the programming and you still have basically the same remote. I can't speak for the other remote, but I give the MX-500 the 2 thumbs up.
