Micro in size, but big in sound

Micro in size, but big in sound

Doharto J. Simatupang, Contributor, Jakarta

Another audio-video product that is increasingly gaining
consumers' attention is the "micro compo" set. With its main body
measuring between 20 cm high and 15 cm wide, it is smaller
compared to a "mini compo" set whose main body averages 30 cm
high and 20 cm wide.

The micro compo has smaller speakers compared to those
attached to a mini compo set. As the speakers are small, the
sound produced must also be limited in loudness. Clearly, it is
not in place to put this set in a spacious living room. It will
be suitable for your bedroom, your study or your dining room. Or,
you can find it in a shop, where the shop owner needs some kind
of entertainment from this set when he or she is not busy.

A micro compo set normally has two speakers. Keeping up with
the progress in technology, however, many micro compo sets now
are provided with (built-in) sub-woofer speakers and even a pair
of surround-sound speakers. In some cases, you can also find a
micro compo set provided with a center speaker. With the presence
of five or six speakers, a micro compo set may have Dolby Digital
AC-3 Surround and DTS sound systems, which have so far been found
mostly in DVD mini compo sets and HTiBs. Obviously, a micro compo
is now micro in size, but big in sound.

Therefore, if a micro compo set is provided with six speakers,
it will be a main rival of the HTiB (Home Theater in Box) set,
which also has six speakers. What distinguishes a micro compo set
from an HTiB set is that the former is completed with a single
cassette player or a double cassette player. If you observe the
DVD micro compo sets now available on the market, you may
conclude that the development of these gadgets is beyond the
normal standard, a strategy that is deliberately adopted to
ensure that a DVD micro compo set can compete with an HTiB.

In addition, many DVD micro compo sets come out with a DVD
input terminal, a feature that is now standard for this
particular gadget. Another feature that is also considered
standard for a DVD micro compo is the progressive scan function.
To give an impression of luxury and facilitate operation, several
types of micro compo sets are provided with CD Motorized changers
vertically placed to give a futuristic appearance. The wooden
wrapping round the speakers also produces a strong aura of
luxury. Now let us have a look at the more popular micro compo
sets in the market.

Philips DVD Micro Compo MCD280 (Rp 1.9 million) comes complete
with the Dynamic Bass Boost for a deep bass experience. If you
turn up the volume to the maximum level, the sound will break and
lose details. The Incredible Surround Sound is the feature that
ensures that this set will produce a sound with great dynamism.
MCD280 is also completed with a DVD player, Dolby Digital AC-3
and an audio output of 400 watt PMPO.

JVC relies on its UX-S77V (Rp 2 million), of which the disc
changer has a capacity for five discs. This set is completed with
a single cassette player, Active Hyper Bass, Dolby Digital AC-3,
DTS and karaoke features. Another more economic choice is UX-
P450UN (Rp 1.5 million), which is provided by one DVD changer, a
single cassette player, Progressive Scan, Active Hyper Bass,
Dolby AC-3, DTS and karaoke features.

LG's favorite DVD micro compo set is LX-D5230, which comes
complete with five mini-sized satellite speakers, namely one
center speaker, two surround-sound speakers and two front
speakers. This set is offered at a very competitive price of Rp
1.37 million.

An interesting offer comes from Samsung MM-DB9. Sold at Rp 2.8
million, this set is provided with 3-DVD changer, a pair of front
speakers, a pair of surround speakers and one center (built-in)
sub-woofer speaker, a karaoke feature, a single cassette player
and an audio output of 1,800 watt PMPO.

To be able to compete with the other makes, Sharp relies on
its XL-DV444V (Rp 2.43 million), which has a lot of features --
namely a 5-DVD changer, a single cassette player and a karaoke
function. Or, you may opt for Sharp XL-HP800V, which is a micro
compo set completed with 3-VCD changer, a single cassette player,
X'Bass, a karaoke function, sub-woofer speaker, two surround
speakers and two front speakers.

While in general Chinese audio-video gadget manufacturers come
up with their audio-video sets at competitive prices, DVD micro
compo sets of Chinese brands like Akira and Enzer, are also
available at relatively low prices.

Enzer HF-1618 (Rp 1.03 million) is completed with 1-DVD
changer, karaoke and Progressive Scan features plus a display in
quite a big size. Another Chinese manufacturer, Akira, has
launched its MC-1200KDV (Rp 1.5 million), a DVD micro compo with
a 3-DVD changer, a double cassette player, an audio output of
2400 watt PMPO, a karaoke function and a sub woofer out terminal.
These two DVD micro compo sets do not differ much in price from a
Chinese-made HTiB, which is available at prices ranging from Rp
850,000 to Rp 1.2 million.

A DVD micro compo is an ideal gadget allowing us to enjoy
music or watch a film in our bedroom or our study. Given its
small size, a DVD micro compo is ideally connected with TV with
screens 15 inches up to 17 inches.