Philips in recent times has come up with two affordable models to accompany the expensive Philips MCM906 Heritage series hi-fi set, which is the company’s flagship model. The Philips MCM772 hi-fi sits pretty between the two extremes. The design of the unit is a bit laid back, with traditional and conservative touches clearly visible. The gadget comes adorned with a two-way drive system that delivers some stimulating audio sound measured at 50W.

The device digresses from its cousins in the sense that the amplifier is all solid-state, with no signs of any valve whatsoever. The sound tends to twitter a bit when heard in very high volume, but that is no cause to discourage you as the sound levels otherwise is quite vibrant and sufficient for a home-setting.

The device is build of brushed aluminium separates and boasts of chunky silver knobs which elegantly complement the speakers. In fact the aesthetics of the Philips MCM 772 may prompt you to use it as a decorative element in your bedroom, a fact that is also supported by its other specifications. One aspect that may leave you dissatisfies is the unimaginative LCD display, which for the major part looks out of sync with device.

The compact build quality of the device is another nice thing, and so are a host of connectivity options that enable you to optimise its output. Meanwhile, the hi-fi device scores a lot of good vibes also because of its user friendly attributes as you can avail most of the services that the model has to offer with the minimum of fuss.

Logitech Squeezebox systems are always known for their impressive build quality and impeccable performance. The aesthetically designed boxes plug into your Hi-Fi system and afford you the luxury of wirelessly sourcing your tunes from the PC to your Hi-Fi. The advantage of this arrangement is that you can listen to your tunes with a lot more clarity than what you tend to get through your PC’s speakers.

The model signifies the first Squeezebox to have come out of the company after Logitech took over. There were many apprehensions at the initial stage with people wondering about the abilities Logitech to make the transition given its computer background. But Logitech has put all these speculations to rest with this amazing product which now appears to be the most ideal device to accompany your Hi-Fi system.

The device has a different appearance from the old Squeezebox, and comes equipped with a more comprehensive range of control and display options. Meanwhile, the Logitech Squeezebox Duet’s LCD display screen stands at a reasonable 2.4 inches and you also get to have an intuitive remote to control the various functions of the system. This arrangement also means that you can get enthralled with your fave music without having to bear the inconvenience of moving around.

That’s not all as the device can be directly connected to Pandora, Slacker Internet Radio, Rhapsody and iTunes without the aid of a PC, signifying that you can listen to your tunes without having to bother for boot-up.

Londoners can finally lay their hands on the critically acclaimed Pioneer LX010BD Blu-ray Home Cinema system, as the company has decided to exploit the potential of the UK market. The decision is quite a significant one as it has been proved, over and over again, that even if the market is over flooded with similar products, a quality product can still carve a niche out for itself. Moreover, users are always ready to accept a genuine and quality product with open hands. The product in question, the Pioneer LX010BD is aware of these realities, and is aimed at becoming the ideal counterpart to the Award winning Kuro range of televisions.

The system starts in the right earnest and is of profile 1.1, and boasts of a native resolution of 1080p. You can enjoy a wide range of color tones and fluid transitions facilitated by the HDMI Deep Colour technology. You will also feel at ease by the fact that there are two HDMI connections, both in and out, which provides you the leverage to connect other devices such as a Sony PlayStation 3 or Sky HD. Sound quality of the system is quite vibrant supported by an integrated 5.1 channel amplifier. The amplifier makes use of the latest dodecahedron technology derived satellite speakers which unswervingly proliferates sound fields in all directions. You are also provided with a subwoofer-receiver with dual-drive subs that will assist you to handle lower frequencies with more precision.

That’s not all as the system is also capable of processing the latest audio formats DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD. Further, it supports KURO LINK as well which can be controlled either via an LCD touchscreen remote or the system itself.

It is somewhat surprising, that despite being a key member of the Blu-ray Disc Association, it has taken JVC a damn long time to come up with its own debut Blu-ray player, the JVC NX-BD3. Fans of the company will definitely be pleased with this new development. JVC has generated enthusiasm and fans for its propensity to risks, as evidenced by the company’s latest presentations at the IFA and CES, for example.

The most alluring aspect of the JVC deck is that it is the first of its kinds to use anisotropic diaphragms in its speakers that unequivocally takes the audio to an entirely different level. This unique feature technically using cross-shaped vertical and horizontal dense areas increases the sound propagation levels by 10% which consequently reduces the resonance levels.

Moreover, each speaker is equipped with a pair of drivers in separate enclosures, with one of them outputting the front channels while the other sends out the surround channels, which delivers a comprehensive 4.1 sound from three speakers. You will however regret not having a proper5.1 speaker system, especially considering the lackluster performance meted out by most of the by most 2.1 systems.

The connectivity of the unit is a versatile mixture of sophisticated and user friendly features that should give you the luxury to almost every thing the system has to offer. It includes an HDMI 1.3 output, which supports Deep Colour and x.v.Colour, apart from having1080/24p Blu-ray output and CEC functionality. Then, the much in demand a SCART and component video output features are available on the Blu-ray DVD player as well. What should impress you is also that optical digital input feature included is compatible with the optical out found on Sky+ and other digital TV receivers. An analogue audio input effectively complements the set up and proves to be a useful foil for other external sources.

It is somewhat surprising that despite being a member of the Blu-ray Disc Association, it took a long long time for JVC to come up with its first Blu-ray System, the NX-BD3. The unit has a swanky look and feel about it, and wears a number of different hats apart from performing its primary task with great ease.

In terms of looks it’s not called Sophisti for nothing, as the main Blu-ray/receiver unit boasts an elegant, seductive design with a gorgeous semi-translucent front section that offers a flirtatious glimpse of an illuminated blue arc. The buttons and info display also glow an alluring shade of blue and on the underside you’ll find a flap that conceals a slot for SD and SDHC memory cards.

Each speaker of the unit is outfitted with a pair of drivers in separate enclosures, with one of them outputting the front channels while the other sends out the surround channels which are supposed to deliver convincing 4.1 sounds from the three speakers. Despite all these, the JVC NX-BD3 sorely misses the presence of a proper 5.1 speaker system that could have turned the system into a real livewire.

Connectivity of the unit is pretty solid including an HDMI 1.3 output, which supports most of the popular formats like Deep Colour and x.v.Colour, apart from 1080/24p Blu-ray output and CEC functionality. Then, there is a SCART and component video output as well, which is capable of upscaling standard videos to 1080i, but somehow strangely defaults to 576p when playing DVD or Blu-ray.

It is common for use to assume that a wireless home cinema set is bereft of any wires whatsoever. This is, however, not always the case, as even a so-called wireless home cinema system usually involves some amount of meddlesome wires. The same holds true for the LG LH-W5100 home cinema, which is connected to its rear speakers via radio frequency, but otherwise has plenty of wires connecting the unit together. The advantage of this arrangement is that you are now provided with the most unrestricted access to its different parts as the most obtrusive wire connection(between the rears and main unit) is eliminated.

The unit consists of a combined DVD/amp unit, two front speakers, a centre, two rears and a large sub. The system’s total output stands at 350W RMS, which is quite low considering its price tag.

The unit’s input and output features are mostly found on the DVD unit. These include one component out, one S-Video out, two composite outs and one composite input, along with the speaker connectors. Ports are also there for an FM and AM antenna, as well for in and out connectors. It is, however, something of a dampener that the unit doesn’t have any of the advanced digital video connectors, like as DVI or HDMI. An HDMI or DVI port usually comes standard are more high-end models like the LG HT-903TA. Nevertheless, the LG LH-W5100 can decode Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby Pro-logic II, and plays disc formats including CD, DVD Video, DVD Audio, VCD, SVCD, CD-R, RW and MP3.

Another noteworthy aspect is that it has an easy setup process, and in case you have difficulty, the easy to follow instruction manual is always there to guide you through.

There is no doubt that 5.1 channel systems are still very much the leader when it comes to filling up your living room with the richest sound. The problem is, however, that the logistics involved with a 5.1 channel system on many occasions discourages people, as they instead opt for something simpler like the 2.1-channel systems. The Onkyo LS-V501 is precisely such a system but with a wee bit difference in the sense that it takes a more audiophile approach to the concept, placing its emphasis on performance. Accordingly, you will find many of the company’s acclaimed features, especially from the 2007 range of AV receivers.

The unit manages to get you hooked from the word go with its stunning looks. The front speakers, which are wall-mountable, sport a pleasant black finish and stylish circular stands.

The main unit, which can even be purchased separately at a much lower price than the 2.1 package, is a combination of a 50W-per-channel amplifier and a DVD player. The latter is particularly adept at playing DVD-Audio, SACD, and CD, in addition to digital media formats like MP3, WMA, DivX and JPEG. Moreover, its ability to play high-resolution audio formats makes it a great asset and rightfully earning the ‘Universal’ tag.

You can enjoy movies without much ado as the unit comprehensively upscales DVDs to 720p and 1080i. Yet, you will feel letdown as it doesn’t offer the popular 1080p upscale option. Moreover, on the audio side the Onkyo LS-V 501 decodes Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks, apart from the Theatre Dimensional DSP circuit, which generates a virtual 5.1-channel effect for movie playback.

The last time Onkyo came up with a HI-Fi product was the CR-505DAB, which was not well received by the critics. However, despite the heavy criticism, the Onkyo CR 505 managed to do great business all over, particularly in Japan. The surprising outcome has highlighted the point that it has done something right that critics failed to take note of. The brand has now come up with its latest model, the X-N7UWX Wi-Fi Mini HiFi, which this time around, quite surprisingly, has drawn a lot of good vibes from the critics.

It won’t take you long to establish the reasons behind the approval by the critics though, as the deivce impresses you from the word go with its gorgeous looks. The unit is smartly dressed in a silver finish with a large LCD panel, and comes with a USB port and separate Hi-Fi unit. It thus lets you wirelessly connect the stereo up to your PC and listen to MP3s on your hard drive, or stream content from your desktop.

Apart from offering a wide range of listening options, it also has Wi-Fi and PC compatibility. You can easily notice the shrewdness displayed by the manufacturers as it comes stuffed with a number of convergence technology, including an iPod Dock compatibility feature that lets you control your iPod from the unit. Moreover, Onkyo has still persisted with the tried and tested MiniDisc format, including a MD player/recorder as well as a CD player. The unit also has an AM/FM receiver and a DAB radio onboard.

A Home Cinema System is not merely a piece of entertainment equipment, but it also happens to be an integral part of our home décor. Apart from elevating the mood and atmosphere of the room, a gorgeous looking system can go a long way in creating the perfect symphony, together with other decorative elements in the room. The latest Home Cinema System to hit the market is the Sony DAV-IS10 DVD, which is the perfect embodiment of the aforesaid with its drop-dead gorgeous looks. It’s also impressive that most of the features are structured in an unobtrusive manner, so that you can have access to all the prominent features with minimal fuss.

The unit has five tiny satellite speakers on board, each one the size of a golf ball, which makes them unobtrusive, discrete and easy to mount on the wall. The important thing here is that, despite their miniature stature, there is no compromise whatsoever as far as sound quality is concerned. Indeed with up to 450 W in power, the Sony DAV-IS10’s speakers offer performance comparable to that offered by much bigger models. Moreover, the build quality is of a very high order, and this lends the speakers an element of durability.

The unit’s connectivity is headed by an HDMI output, followed by component and composite video outputs, optical and coaxial digital audio inputs. The latter options are of particular significance considering that they allow you to enjoy 5.1 surround from a Sky+ box or separate DVD deck.

The unit’s upscaling capability stands at 720p and 1080i, but unfortunately not 1080p. It is also compatible with a host of diverse formats, including DVD, DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD+R, CD and CD-RW discs, apart from being able to read JPEG, MP3 and DivX files. Then, there is also a Digital Media Port that lets you connect a variety of optional Sony-made adapters, including Walkman and iPod cradles and Bluetooth or network wireless audio adapters.

The LG J10HD is a one-box home cinema system, which, to an extent, can be termed as the prototype of the more sophisticated home cinema systems we have recently become accustomed to. Nevertheless, this breed is still alive, if not kicking, and is trying to make a mark for itself. Actually, this type of home system reached its peak some time back, and what remains now are only the remnants of that bygone era. The LG J10HD however, dares to differ and seems determined to make a mark, especially by targeting the cheaper end of the market.

The unit, which is styled on the company’s popular Chocolate mobile phone, is 2.1-channelled, and boasts 300W of power. There is also a hard drive, and the controls are quite touch-sensitive and hence easy to operate. Moreover, it has a simple set up and is much more solid and crafty than it may appear from the outside. It is also set up to work seamlessly with LG televisions, like the LG 42PC55 plasma TV. The way in which the unit has extracted the optimum benefit from the limited features it possesses is indeed remarkable, and the novel use of some of the most basic features is also commendable. That the unit comes with long enough speaker cables to get the speakers a decent distance apart, aptly demonstrates this point.

You should also have little to complain over the way the system is configured, and in this respect it actually resembles the successful Bose approach. Functionally, however, there is out of the ordinary to astound and dazzle you. The unit’s remote is one of its high points and you can operate it from quite a distance with minimal fuss.

There is no surprise as far as CD ripping is concerned, as this follows a straight forward route. All you have to do is follow the on-screen menu, which uses clear and intuitive icon-based navigation. The unit’s connectivity is quite colourful and has s-video, composite-video, component-video and Scart outputs available for video. It, in addition, has auxiliary and optical audio inputs, and a USB port for copying content from the hard drive to a personal music player.