Outstanding Sound from a Compact Package
Written: May 03 '07 (Updated May 03 '07)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Great sound. Great bass response. Performs like a much pricier/larger unit.
Cons: None, other than they stopped making it.
The Bottom Line: Best in class. Rule of Thumb: When in doubt at under $200, buy Philips.
|
|
|
| dxbari's Full Review: Philips MC-320 CD Shelf System |
I have been meaning to finish this review for years. While it is likely you won't find this product any more in first run retail, it makes appearances on eBay (there right now in fact) and other outlets. When I set out to make this purchase, I needed very specific things: a small unit, that could look good on a sparsely decorated bookshelf unit (no backing so the wall showed through), that had quality sound. I have used Philips/Magnavox products pretty regularly over the years (my latest buy was yesterday on a pair of open air headphones) and have not been disappointed with the quality.
First, the MC320 is LOUD. Amazing sound from such a small source, easily matching most mini-systems and blowing other micro systems in its class out of the water. Hearty bass response, and good all around perform. The system remote is intuitive and has great range. The battery can be replaced (which I have had to do once by now), and it is a necessity to keep the remote working because the CD repeat feature is only available through the remote.
It has one RCA auxiliary input on the back, which is now occupied by my Sansa e200 series base station and it works well and the sound is good. I really can't say enough good things about over the time I have had it. At one point, it was the only consumer electronics I had on that floor (it is on a decorative bookcase in my dining room area). It looks great with contemporary/modern decor and with a little effort/cable control it looks like art more than a stereo. Stands up well to daily use, I have not heard so much as a single twang from the speakers in nearly three years. Having just bought a docking station for my new Sansa (so I could use it from a distance in my dining/kitchen room area) attached to the MC320, I was just reminded all over again how much I like this product.
If you can pick up one of the these on the born again circuit and you need a cheap system with solid sound (I bought it brand new for about $50), this is a great buy.
Features and Specs
(Primary Source: Amazon.com)
- 1 Front-loading CD player (hidden, flip-down)
- 1 Cassette Player (full-logic, auto-reverse, CD synchro recording)
- Radio presets: 40 stations (with auto programming)
- Audio inputs: 1 stereo analog (left/right) RCA (plug mono sources into left jack only)
- Display: Backlit LCD
- Antennas: FM, AM (included)
- Speakers: 2 (2-Way bass-reflex with 4-inch woofers)
- 23-key remote
- Power: 40 Watts (RMS)
- Bi-amplified: No
- Impedance (speakers): 6 ohms
- Impedance (headphones): 32 to 1,000 ohms
- CDR playback
- Alarm clock: Yes (wake to CD or radio)
- Track programming: Yes (40 tracks)
- Surround sound: Yes (Incredible Surround, Simulated Surround)
- Digital sound control
- Dynamic bass boost
Frequency response:
- Amplifier: 63 to 16,000 Hz, +/- 3 dB
- CD player: 30 to 16,000 Hz
- Tuner: 63 to 12,500 Hz, +/- 3 dB
- Cassette (type I): 80 to 12,500 Hz, +/- 8 dB
HxWxD:
- Width: Main unit: 6.5"; speaker (x2): 6.5"
- Height: Main unit: 8.8 inches; speaker (x2): 8.8"
- Depth: Main unit: 10.8 inches; speaker (x2): 9.6"
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
dxbari
|
|
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.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.