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.