One of the Most Powerful, Best Sounding Stereo Systems Under $200
Written: Jul 15 '02 (Updated Jul 15 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Amazing sound irrespective of price. 240 Watts of power.
Cons: At this price point there aren't any. Simply a pure music machine.
The Bottom Line: Loaded with features and bringing a rangy, powerful sound that outclasses the competition, this is a new benchmark for shelf systems. The best sound for the your equipment dollar.
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| dxbari's Full Review: Philips FWC550 Shelf System |
The Philips FW-C550 is the best $180 I have spent on audio equipment. Like many folks who enjoy music, I have a nice sounding home theater system in the living room. And it sits there collecting dust because I spend my time away from it working in another room. In that room there was an economically priced shelf system that was nice for playing music while sleeping, but was less than stellar for any regular use because of its lack of sound quality when compared to my primary system. The solution was to purchase a new system with better sound output, but I was really determined to keep the price down because I was replacing a system that still worked (an unhappy event, but the difference in the sound was distracting).
Pre-Purchase Evaluation Method
When making a purchase of a very specific nature, in this case finding a bookshelf system that had comparable sound to the home theater at a fraction of the cost, I tend to go to a store where I'm able to "kick the tires" of many options at once. I also needed a small system that would fit in the same cabinet as the old system did. Standing in the local Best Buy (R), I was able to compare the sound of approximately 20 bookshelf systems with a group of CDs that I had taken to the store with me. If anyone is interested, the CD I primarily used to "test" each system was a copy of the jazz quartet Fourplay's Between the Sheets, and its opening track "Chant" which has a great range of sound from high to low and rangy vocals.
Selection Method and Alternative Products
Since the review is being written about the Philips FW-C550 3-Disc Mini System, I'll say that it was my first and only choice and that hearing it in the store compared other systems made the choice a no-brainer. To anyone else looking for an inexpensive system with great sound, I would suggest they hear the system in the store with music they are familiar with to really get a feel for just how good the system sounds. The FW-C550 literally blew the other systems away, both above and below it in price. I was able to directly compare it against notable products by JVC, Sony, RCA, and others by Philips. It was the best sounding bookshelf system in the store. The music section staff member stood right beside me (with the music blaring) and told me that based on sound alone there wasn't another system he could recommend over it.
It was almost baffling how tinny a handful of $500 everything-but-the-kitchen-sink shelf systems sounded compared to it. The bass, the highs and mids, everything the FW-C550 did was in a class of its own. After testing the sound on each indivdual system, I then checked other area retail outlets for other systems to confirm that the Philips FW-C550 was indeed the best sounding shelf system available through regular retail chains before returning to make the purchase later the same day. Having spent in excess of $100 on headphones twice (on the underrated Sony MDR-V600s, once to replace a stolen pair), I am a consumer who will spend a little extra on audio equipment when necessary for a significant jump in quality, but with this system it wasn't an issue to consider. Philips has set a new standard in sound for all mini-systems this side of Bose (and let's not forget a Bose CD Clock Radio costs roughly twice as much as the FW-C550, let alone a stereo).
Product Use and Impressions
I am including a "quick" feature list at bottom, but here I'd like to describe my impressions of the unit through regular daily use. The system is on for several hours each day, as it is what I use while working from home.
Heat Dissipation
The stereo runs cool, as it is in a stereo cabinet that gives it less than an inch of clearance on all sides. I have no concerns with it because the vents give off less heat (almost none) than my computer monitor in a wide open space--even after playing for hours.
Timers/Sleep Mode
I am able to play the system while sleeping because it has a dimmable display and an auto-shutoff feature. It also has a "sleep" mode, but the auto shutoff feature almost negates the need for it. You don't have to worry about whether or not the stereo was left on (except for the Repeat All Discs Mode).
Sound Fields and System Size
There are a wide range of sound field options available, however using the MAX Sound field setting enables most all CDs to sound their best without having to adjust for each music style. The radio reception is also high-quality as is tape playback and dubbing. The unit is compact: (Base and Speakers same size) 12.20 (H) x 9.45 (W) x 12.40 (D). It is also lightweight at around 40 lbs in the box.
Interface and Remote
The stereo base interface for the basic features is intuitive, but you'll want to refer to the user manual for the more advanced features. The remote control is a nice size and has rubber buttons. The major functions (play, skip, volume, etc.) are all near the center where your thumb will naturally go when holding the remote in the right or left hand and are positioned similarly to a VCR remote. The buttons are also different sizes and shapes, so once you are used to the remote you can use it without looking and it has good range.
Appearance
Overall the base system is black with silver accents and sleek looking. It has a blue LED display, with various other colored diodes that may or may not be visible depending on the display mode. The only minor quibble I have is that the unit coloring is a little more vivid than I would have preferred, the pronounced yellow on the largely charcoal grey speakers is a bit of a no-no. But in the face of such superior sound that issue was overruled without another thought. Additionally, in normal home "yellow" lighting the color is much less noticeable than in a florescent lit showroom, and the speakers are behind a grill in my case so I don't see the yellow on them. But as I've said, the sound quality will make the bit of yellow on the unit an afterthought for most buyers.
The following is an extended bulleted list of the range of features this unit offers--they are superior to all units in its price range at the time of purchase and comparable to more expensive units.
Features List
- Outstanding, outstanding, outstanding sound
- 240W of combined power between two front speakers
- Great distortion-free bass output
- Front Speaker Surround (IS)
- Plays CD-Rs and CD-RWs
- Sturdy infra-red remote w/ nearly all features of base
- Track skip and seek on remote and base
- Sound field control on remote and base
- - Virtual Ambience Control (VAC)
- - - Hall
- - - Cinema
- - - Arcade
- - - Concert
- - - Disco
- - - Cyber
- - Digital Sound Control (DSC)
- - - Digital
- - - Pop
- - - Classic
- - - Rock
- - - New Age
- - - Electric
- - Dynamic Bass Boost (DBB)
- - - Beat
- - - Punch
- - - Blast
- - - DBB Off
- Direct disk access on remote and base
- 3-mode Repeat from remote (Track, Disc, All Discs)
- Programmable up to 40 tracks from remote and base
- Up to 40 Radio station presets
- Dimmable 4-mode base display
- MAX SOUND auto-sound field (that is all I use)
- Auto shut-off 15 minutes after CD stops playing
- A digital clock complete with gradual wake alarm
- "Sleep" mode
- One auxilliary stereo sound input in back
- Dual tape deck with synchro dubbing and auto reverse
- ECO Power Standby mode (under 1W consumption)
- Mini headphone jack
- 3 Way Bass Reflex Speakers (per): 1 x 6.5" Woofer; 1 x 2" Tweeter; 2 x 1" Polydome Tweeter
What It Doesn't Do
- It doesn't play Mp3s
- It only has two speaker output, but has a quality simulated front surround
- There is no direct track access on the remote or system interface
- It does not play DVDs
- If you direct select a CD, it doesn't change CDs unless you select a repeat mode
Conluding Remarks
In closing, if you are looking for a shelf system that has component system sound for a reasonable price (under $200), this is among the best systems available if not the best. This is an ideal system for a college dorm room or apartment, or a secondary system in the home. Because it only has one audio input and no surround speaker output, its use in a home theater may be limited--but in a pinch it could stand in with full, quality sound. The FW-C550 I own has played tunes by artists that range from Stevie Wonder to Nirvana to CCR to Fauré and they all sound great. Rating this on terms of its sound alone, this is a shelf system that truly should be included in any discussion of shelf systems at any price point. Even under-$100 bargain hunters may be willing to spend a little more once they hear what the Philips FW-C550 has to offer. It really is the best sounding system under $200, period.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
dxbari
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Member: D. Xavier Bari
Location: USA
Reviews written: 48
Trusted by: 8 members
About Me:
Someone who likes to hear himself type. Reviews written on user experiences in day-to-day life.
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