SURE it's magic....
Written: Jan 04 '02
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Pros: The mid-size is good for jamming into your backpack when teacher walks in.
Cons: Skips as if the "Magic ESP" is working against you!
The Bottom Line: It does the job, sure. But shell out a few more bucks and check out the rest of the eXpanium line - this model is outdated.
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| hoborocks's Full Review: Philips eXpanium EXP103 Personal CD Player |
So after returning the RCA MP3-CD player I originally bought, I was then shown a $150 credit and a very large store to use it in. I looked at all of the CD players, especially the MP3-enhanced ones, but would it be that useful? I decided to get that feature anyway.
From my other epinion:
“For you folks with lives, I'll give you a little insight into MP3s and the like.
With a normal CD-R I can store 650 MB of data, audio, whatever, onto it. Wave files are very large, so I can only store a little over an hour (about 74 minutes). However, MP3s are much smaller, and while smaller, they do not lose quality. So I can store about 10 hours of MP3s on a normal CD.
Whoo-hoo, back to the review...”
So after debating from brand to brand, I finally found some of the eXpanium line by Philips that I had heard about thanks to Epinions. I remembered that it had Magic ESP – sounds good, right? More on that later...
I saw the EXP103 and the EXP101. The 103 included a car kit while the 101 includes a remote! The remote was pretty enticing, however, the car kit was the better choice because I'd probably break the remote out of general frustration (not at the unit, just very general).
Battery Life
The battery life on this unit tends to be very good! It only uses 2 AA batteries! No waste here! When I use it while walking to school, it usually lasts for about 15 hours. I'm a pretty awkward guy so my footsteps are all over the place – this player survives the crazy ride! This includes the time in school spent just listening to it, stationary. Overall, this player has great battery life. Not as good as my beloved Aiwa...but still great.
I recommend using Duracell or Energizer batteries (the Ultra and e2 will perform better, but at a much higher price). They work very well and aren't too expensive. Stray away from Rayovac Rechargables and Kirkland's though – they last for a VERY short time and don't do too well in the long run. The AC adapter, for reference, is a 4.5V DC, a very standard plug. If you lose the adapter, you can buy another one pretty easily.
Sound
The sound on the EXP103 is just about the best I could ask for from a portable that only takes 2 AA batteries. There is a Line Out port as well as the normal phones output. In addition to normal play, there is a DBB (Dynamic Bass Boost) button. It can really pump out some loud bass but detracts from the battery life.
Skippage
Yeah....this unit only fails on one point. This would be that point. The Magic Electronic Skip Protection doesn't really help at stopping skips. While running, even walking somewhat briskly, this player skips very readily. Not surprising, running the player without Magic ESP (there is a switch) produces much more skipping but improved battery life.
This is the only point I can truly gripe on – everything else on this unit works well, especially at the prices you can find it for now. Don't be fooled by magic.
Extras
The Car kit rules! There is the normal tape adapter as well as a car-power adapter. However, the adapter really resembles....never mind....see for yourself...
It also comes with a power adapter, and a simple in-ear pair of headphones. The headphones are very oddly shaped – one hangs low while the other one is about a foot and a half up. So using the headphones will make the string go below your chin and have it hang down the left side. A new fashion? I think not.
Durability
This unit has been dropped pretty far from the ground and still survived! However, as stated before, it does not survive attempted skips well. So while it is durable and will survive until I am forced to buy another player, it won't work for those drops I put everything through.
I must say, however, that the top can open at the most in opportune times. It's too easy to open, luckily you have to open it a few centimeters before it recognizes that the cover is open and the CD stops spinning.
Ease of Use
The EXP103 is very easy to use. The buttons are nicely organized, in a square-like fashion. The play and stop buttons are on the top, the Track Forward and Program buttons on the right, and the Track Backwards and Mode buttons are on the left.
Aesthetics
Overall, it looks nice. It has a plastic top with a very hard-to-read LCD screen, some nice protruding logos, and a pretty snazzy “eXpanium” logo on the lower part of the top.
The “CD Rewritable Compatible” and “MAGIC ELECTRONIC SKIP PROTECTION” on the top shows that you are a discerning audiophile....ahh, shut up. Not much to say about aesthetics.
The End!
Overall, a great player. It does the job, and now at about $80, definitely affordable. One thing to say, though. Fill out the registration card quickly! The serial number wipes off after about a week of use. BE ready with those pens, boys and goils.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 150
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Epinions.com ID:
hoborocks
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Reviews written: 60
Trusted by: 24 members
About Me:
I am un-addicted.
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