Posts Tagged ‘Hi-Fi review’
I am very comfortable with my Hifi Setup at the moment and will not be upgrading for a while yet. I had been in the market for a second setup and Having looked for a small second system for my bedroom I knew Denon were one of the best brands in the mini hifi system field so I felt very comfortable about choosing this one of a couple of similar Sony DAB Systems. I eventually chose this D-M37 from Denon after hearing a demo of it in my local hifi store. Here is my verdict on the system.
Denon D-M37 – The Unit
If you know much about Hifi Equipment then you will instantly recognise the Denon style with this Unit as it is pretty much standard Denon for a product of the type, The unit is available in either Black or as Silver (as shown in the picture). So what comes in the unit? well as standard you get the DAB Tuner which also supports FM/AM and of course the CD Player which is still going strong alongside the DAB Tuner. All the more common with new systems is the usb input which also is featured here. This allows you to stick your usb cable into the slot to connect it to the computer or if you have a usb stick you can simply plug it into the slot and play your music through the system that way. Other inputs include a 3.5mm input for headphones and connections to MP3, On the back you will get all the normal connections for speakers. You can choose whether to include the speakers or not.
Denon D-M37 – The Look
Denon are known for their sound quality but also their look as you can spot a Denon easily from the shelf. This Denon is one of the nicest looking small systems and as you can get the system in either silver or piano black you can match the system to it’s surroundings. I like the clear look of the display which simply tells you which input you are playing and the station if you are playing DAB. Everything is set out well and looks the usual Denon part. It looks a very smart system overall.
Denon D-M37 – The Sound
Now onto the all important Sound test. This is a very highly thought of system and has won many awards and fans for it’s sound. Given the small stature of the box and the speakers you will not get seismic bass but the bass you do get is very good and very taut. The treble conveys vocals and instruments well and the overall sound integrates together very well indeed. Although I have this system as a second system in my bedroom it’s more than capable of being your main setup if size really is at a premium. A very good sound indeed. Upgrade the speakers and you could get even more but choose the speakers carefully.
Denon D-M37 – DAB
I Had wanted to get DAB for a while and thought that this would be an added bonus to this system for me. I was right and the reception is really good and very clear. After a simple setup you can listen to all the available DAB Channels. There are 100 combined presets available so you will probably never fill them up. The DAB also has RDS or Radio Data System which tells you what radio station you are tuned into and can also give you song titles and artists name. The reception on FM And AM is very good too but you really need to have a good connection as you would expect.
Denon D-M37 final verdict
This is an absolutely brilliant system which at Can be found under £200 for the system Excluding speakers but if you really want the system with the matching speakers it will cost around £270 so if you can find it cheaper then go for it. This is a fantastic system which has really impressive sound quality that will go loud without any trouble. This product just further proves Denon’s quality in the field. Brilliant. If you have a small living room then this may be for you.
Denon D-M37 Bass I Love You.mp4
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This set of Diamond 10.5 loudspeakers is just one product in a new line from the well established hi-fi manufacturer Wharfedale.
Founded way back in the 1930s, Wharfedale has one of the longest histories in hi-fi, though 75 years has seen several changes in ownership and downs as well as ups.
The company that ruled the UK market for the best part of half a century might no longer enjoy its earlier dominance, but IAG (the International Audio Group), its owner since 1997, is in for the long haul and has every intention of re-establishing its previous pre-eminence.
Alongside Wharfedale, IAG owns Quad, Mission and Castle Acoustics (plus Audiolab and Leak). IAG itself is owned by two Taiwanese Chinese hi-fi enthusiast brothers, Bernard and Michael Chang. Their operation is based on a huge factory complex with around 2,000 workers.
This operates a policy of ‘vertical integration’, which means that virtually everything needed to build a loudspeaker – drivers, cables, enclosures, crossovers and so on – is made in-house.
A new era?
Three months ago, Peter Comeau took over as Director of Acoustic Design at IAG’s hi-fi Division.
The first fruit of Comeau’s involvement is a brand new Wharfedale Diamond 10 range, which includes no fewer than eight stereo pairs, plus numerous home cinema extras. Eight models does seem a trifle excessive – most manufacturers make do with four or five – but we were told it was needed to cope with the wide variety of tastes across a global marketplace.
Chinese consumers, for example, like speakers with a lot of drive units. There might be some Chinese influence in the styling too: plenty of bling is visible when the grille is removed, with a glossy black front and super shiny finish on the plastic driver frames. A much more demure black grille is available, which neatly fixes onto the hex sockets of the driver woodscrews.
The Diamonds have been Wharfedale’s entry-level hi-fi models since the early 1980s, so high perceived value is an essential part of the agenda. Whatever one’s reaction to the bling, this three-way floorstander is a lot of loudspeaker for £480.
Probably inevitably, finish is vinyl woodprint, but the catalogue lists no fewer than seven options. Our samples came in ‘Roswood Quilted’, whatever that means: they certainly look pretty good, even though touch betrays their synthetic origins.
Despite the low price, the Diamond 10.5 ticks many of the boxes. Curved sides should help stiffen the enclosure and distribute internal reflections and standing waves. A composite front panel provides a secure driver mounting platform.
A separate plinth is fitted for secure spike accommodation, though regrettably this doesn’t extend the stability footprint one iota and the spike lock-nut arrangements are very difficult to tighten properly. The rear panel has twin terminal pairs, linked by brass strips and fitted to a fairly tough-looking moulding; there’s also room for a port.
The driver line-up is certainly distinctive. Dome-type midrange drivers are usually only found in much more upmarket speakers, so the 50mm dome used here is rather unusual.
There are pluses and minuses: the main advantage is that its relatively small-diameter diaphragm helps maintain consistent dispersion as frequency rises. The disadvantage is relatively modest sensitivity, due again to the small diaphragm and large (hence heavy) voice coil.
The bass and treble drivers are a little more conventional. The former is a 165mm device with a 130mm woven Kevlar cone and a ‘diamond patterned’ surround, while the tweeter has a 25mm soft dome diaphragm and short horn loading. Both mid and treble drivers are separately protected under metal mesh covers.
Auditioning was carried out in a heavily furnished and somewhat irregular 4.4×2.6×5.5m (WxHxD) room.
For
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Superior voice band coherence, thanks to dome midrange driver
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Advanced enclosure shape and construction ensures minimal boxiness
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Separate plinth gives solid spike-mounting
Against
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Too much bling?
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Tonal balance a little too warm and laid back
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Lacks midband transparency
Specification
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Min Frequency Response 35
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Driver Configuration Bass Driver: 165mm / Midrange Driver: 50mm dome / Tweeter: 25mm
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Crossover Frequency 600Hz / 3.8kHz
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Description Floorspeaker
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Dimensions 850 x 223 x 301
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Impedance (Ohm) 6
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Front Speaker Frequency Response 35
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Amplifier Type Required 20 – 120w
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Enclosure Type Floorspeaker
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Colour Various
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Additional Information Sensitivity: 86 dB
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Max Frequency Response 24
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The HB354BS marks LG’s entry into the world of Blu-ray systems and is one of two one-box packages hitting the market in May. This one is a 2.1-channel system, which means it’s designed for people who have neither the space nor patience for a full 5.1 setup, but despite the lack of surround sound its 350W audio output should deliver a more fulfilling home cinema experience than your average TV speakers. The step-up HT954PB features a 5.1-channel configuration with ‘Champagne’ style speakers, and bumps the power up to 1000W.
In the box you’ll find a combined Blu-ray player/receiver unit, two front speakers and a passive subwoofer. The surprisingly chunky main unit is styled in a snazzy gloss-black finish, jazzed up further with a volume dial surrounded by a ring of blue light and a row of touch-sensitive buttons. It’s attractive and fairly well built, but falls foul of the hollow, plasticky feel common among one-box systems.
Bang in the centre of the fascia lies one of the system’s killer features – an iPod dock. It slides out when you press the panel in the centre and supports all types of iPod, including the touch, plus you can browse through songs using the onscreen GUI. You’ll also find a USB Plus port on top that supports playback of movies, music and photos.
Around the back we’re pleased to discover two HDMI inputs (and one output), which allow you to channel two other sources though the system, such as a PS3 and Sky HD box. That way, you can improve the sound quality for TV viewing and gaming, and you only take up one HDMI input on your TV. Handy.
The generosity continues with the inclusion of optical, coaxial and analogue audio inputs, plus component and composite video outputs. The connection roster is completed by an FM antenna input for the built-in radio tuner, a 3.5mm minijack input for MP3 players and an Ethernet port to take advantage of the system’s Blu-ray Profile 2.0 capabilities.
The front speakers are gorgeous, with a glossy black finish and oval shape that will attract plenty of attention. Each one is perched on a silver horseshoe-shaped stand and plugs into the back of the main unit using flimsy springclip terminals, another sign of all-in-one cost cutting. As for the subwoofer, the matching gloss-black finish makes it look fine from a distance but on closer inspection it’s worryingly light and hollow – although at least it’s sensibly mounted on rubber feet to minimise vibration.
Because the Blu-ray player is Profile 2.0 you can access BD Live extras, but it also supports YouTube video streaming as found on LG’s standalone BD370. The feature isn’t found on the first batch of systems (from which our sample was taken) but a later firmware update will enable it.
Elsewhere on the feature list is Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS HD Master Audio decoding, the impact of which will no doubt be reduced by the 2.1-channel configuration but you should be able to hear the increased sonic resolution offered by these formats.
The rest of the feature list is pretty decent – the system upscales DVDs to 720p, 1080i and 1080p; plays DivX, MP3, WMA, JPEG and AVCHD files; features a range of sound modes designed for different types of material (News, Drama, Sports, Game and Concert); and offers a Bass Booster mode that does exactly what it says on the tin. Our advice? Stick with the ‘Bypass’ mode. A separate Night mode boosts the sound quality at lower volumes and dims the front panel lights.
The system is easy to use thanks to the superb interface, which revolves around the eye-catching Home menu – your central access point for all supported media. It offers a choice of Movie, Music, Photo and Setup (and eventually YouTube) and each one is represented by a full-colour graphic. The remote is thoughtfully laid out with large icons drawing attention to the most important buttons, although it’s a tad cluttered towards the bottom.
Like many of LG’s home cinema systems, the HB354BS has been specially tuned by audio guru Mark Levinson, which could give it the edge over rival 2.1-channel systems when it comes to performance. And for once, it actually does – when you play a Blu-ray disc, the most striking thing is how naturally powerful and dynamic the system is. Although the volume goes up to 40, we rarely felt compelled to push it over 20 – but if you do, the speakers show few signs of strain.
We started our audition with Mamma Mia!’s DTS HD Master Audio soundtrack, and we were blown away – when Meryl Streep breaks into the title track, it soars out of the speakers with such gusto that you can’t help but get swept along by the sheer energy of it all, regardless of your attitude towards this movie.
The sound is sweet and crisp with loads of top-end detail, courtesy of the smooth and well controlled treble. Dialogue is similarly clear and open, allowing you to hear Pierce Brosnan’s voice in all its flat, awkward detail. It’s a genuine surprise to hear such assured sound quality from a one-box system, although the lack of dedicated surround and centre channels does reduce the overall impact somewhat – we can’t wait to hear what the 5.1-channel HT954PB has to offer.
We also took Indiana Jones for a spin and its Dolby True HD track is also presented with plenty of detail and vitality. Harrison Ford’s mumbled dialogue, delicate background ambience, sudden crashes and gunfire are relayed with admirable attack and clarity. If there’s a weak link in the chain it’s the sub, which isn’t quite deep or punchy enough to really knock your neighbours for six, but it still manages to lend a solid, well-integrated foundation to the action.
The system also delivers excellent picture quality, which is comparable to that of the BD370. Mamma Mia!’s bright, colourful visuals look sumptuous, oozing with rich, noise-free colours (the turquoise sea almost sucks you into the screen) and crisp detail. Indiana Jones is also full of scenes that demonstrate the system’s superb detail handling, from the sharply-rendered swarms of ants to the detail inside Orellana’s dingy tomb, a sequence that also reveals top-notch shadow detail and contrast.
Verdict
We like surprises here at TrustedReviews, and the HB354BS is an extremely pleasant one. We admit that we didn’t have high hopes given the system’s inevitable build quality issues, but its sound quality is more potent and poised than expected, injecting movies with an irresistible sense of excitement despite the lack of centre and surround speakers. Add to that some excellent hi-def picture quality and you’ve got yourself a very satisfying 2.1-channel system.
Because we got one of the first samples, there was no price information available at the time of writing so it’s hard to assess its value for money. But knowing LG it’s bound to be competitively priced – and after hearing its performance, the press release’s claim that it produces “a sound more typically found in systems three times the price” is an encouraging sign. For now it gets a Recommended Award on the presumption that LG will make sure the price is keen.
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Onkyo have introduced several new AV receivers and amongst them is the TX-NR3007. It has entered the market place towards the top of the midrange, so it isn’t cheap. The company has actually claimed this and its two other partners in crime are their high end elite units; however, comparably their pricing is no where near some of the high end units. Have we found a massive bargain of the century? Just what are you getting for your money? Does it pack the punch you would hope a unit of this price would pack, or is it a bit of a wimp that just would not be able to hurt a fly? We have been lucky enough to have the Onkyo TX-NR3007 here for review so we can share our findings with you, so you can decide.
Design
Onkyo like the retro look for their AV receivers and the Onkyo TX-NR3007 is no exception. They always remind us of the old style video tape player, but we like it. This is a heavy chunky unit, finished in black, and featuring a regimented row of buttons along the middle, above which sits the LED display screen. This is a good size and the display is easy to read with clear text in a white finish.
We thought the rectangular power button was an unusual choice for this unit with all the other controls being circular, and this just may be the biggest styling feature that gives this unit the retro classic look. The back panel isn’t as structured as some we have seen. There is very little structure and formation to the myriad of jack points. There is a range of color, which at first glance looks confusing, but on closer inspection they have tried hard to make sure everything is well marked for easy identification.
Features
Onkyo are fans of the 9.2 channel AV receiver and the Onkyo TX-NR3007 is another cracking example, offering 2 more channels that the classic 7.2 channel unit that is the industry standard in the mid range or above class. Each of the 9.2 channel packs a whopping 140 watts, which really is impressive and helps create fantastic sound combinations thanks to the two supporting technologies, Dolby Pro Logic and Audyssey. That certainly isn’t where the technology stops, as the unit also comes complete with contributions from DTS-HD Master Audio as well as Dolby TrueHD. The clever technical guys at Onkyo have neatly packed a vast array of top range technologies into this little black box, and we are impressed.
The Onkyo TX-NR3007 is another network ready unit that can be connected via an Ethernet cable. We are still waiting to see a wireless version from Onkyo as this does make it much easier to use internet radio or web content, as with wired technology the PC and AV receiver need to be close together which can be a pain for some home setups. That said we are happy to see the network technology, and Onkyo have also added a USB port on the front of the unit meaning that you can plug other devices in, such as an MP3 player for example. Connectivity has been well thought out here. The iPod technologies are present, and you can use the USB port to connect your iPod or iPhone or for full functionality you can purchase the iPod docking unit, again always disappointing when these aren’t given away as part of the pack.
Picture quality isn’t an issue, and all formats gave rise to stable images that were crisp and clean. We were more than happy with the color shown, and that included our upscaling tests, where older formats are played through the unit and cleaned up before the image is shown – clever technology that is coming in as standard of units at this level, so we did expect it to be there. However, not all companies have it perfect, but thankfully Onkyo seem to have it sorted.
ADVANCED FEATURES
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THX® Ultra2 Plus™ Certified
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DTS-HD Master Audio™, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio™, Dolby® TrueHD, Dolby® Digital Plus Decoding
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HDMI™ Version 1.3a to Support Deep Color™, x.v.Color™, LipSync, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD, Multichannel PCM, and CEC
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DSD Direct for Super Audio CD
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Audio and 1080p Video Processing via HDMI (1 Front/6 Rear Inputs and 2 Outputs [Main/Sub])
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HDMI Video Upscaling to 1080p with HQV Reon-VX
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Massive Transformer and Two Separate Transformers for Audio and Video Processing
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New Custom-Designed, Large-Size Transistors to Drive High Currents
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Push-Pull Amplification Design with Three-Stage Inverted Darlington Circuitry
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Burr-Brown 192 kHz/24-Bit DACs (PCM1796 x 6) for All Channels
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Ultra-Low-Jitter PLL (Phase Locked Loop) Circuitry to Improve Audio Quality
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Three TI (Aureus™) 32-Bit DSP Chips (DA830 x 1, DA788 x 2) for Advanced Processing
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VLSC™ (Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry) for All Channels
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ISF (Imaging Science Foundation) Video Calibration
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Audyssey DSX™ and Dolby® Pro Logic® IIz for New Surround Channels
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Audyssey MultEQ™ XT to Correct Room Acoustic Problems and to Calibrate Speakers
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Audyssey Dynamic Volume™ to Maintain Optimal Listening Level and Dynamic Range
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Audyssey Dynamic EQ™ for Loudness Correction
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Dolby® Volume for Reference-Quality Listening Experience at Any Volume
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Network Capability for Streaming Audio Files (MP3, WMA, WMA Lossless, FLAC, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, AAC, LPCM)
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Internet Radio Connectivity (Last.fm* and vTuner)
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Certified with Windows 7 and DLNA Version 1.5
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Bi-Amping and BTL (Bridged Transless) Capability
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Powered Zone 2 and Zone 3 for Playback of Separate Sources in Other Rooms
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Zone 2 Monitor Output (Composite)
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Universal Port for Single-Cable Connection of Optional Onkyo Dock for the iPod or DAB+ Radio Tuner
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4 DSP Modes for Gaming: Rock, Sports, Action, and RPG (Role Playing Game)
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2 Independent Subwoofer Pre Outs
AUDIO & VIDEO FEATURES
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200 W/Ch at 6 O, 1 kHz, 1 Channel Driven, IEC
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H.C.P.S. (High Current Power Supply) Massive High Power Transformer
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WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology)
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Linear Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry
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DTS Surround Sensation® Speaker/Headphone Technology
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Neural-THX® Surround Decoder
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Music Optimizer™ for Compressed Digital Music Files
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Theater-Dimensional Virtual Surround Function
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RIHD (Remote Interactive over HDMI) for System Control
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Direct Mode and Pure Audio Mode
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Front-Side Auxiliary A/V Input (for Camcorders, Game Consoles, etc.)
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USB Port for an MP3 Audio Device (Audio Only)
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Component Video Upscaling (Up to 1080i)
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Component Video Switching (3 Inputs and 1 Output)
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Color-Coded, 9 Multichannel Pre Outs
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6 Digital Inputs (3 Optical and 3 Coaxial)
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Independent Crossover Adjustment for F/C/S/SB/FH/FW (40/50/60/70/80/90/100/120/150/200 Hz)
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A/V Sync Control Function (Up to 250 ms in 5 ms Steps)
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40 FM/AM Random Presets with RDS (PS/RT/PTY/TP)
OTHER FEATURES
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High-Rigidity Flat Chassis (1.6 mm Thick)
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4 S-Video Inputs and 1 Output
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5 A/V Inputs and 1 Output
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Monitor Outputs (Component, Composite, and S-Video)
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3 Audio Inputs and 1 Output
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Phono Input
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Machined Solid Brass, 19 mm-Pitch Audio Inputs (CD and Phono)
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Color-Coded 7.1-Multichannel Inputs
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RS232 and IR (In/Out) Connectivity
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12 V Trigger Out (Zone 2/Zone 3)
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Onscreen Display (OSD)
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Aluminum Front Panel and Volume Knob
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Firmware Updates via Ethernet and USB
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Compatible with RI (Remote Interactive) Dock for the iPod
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Bi-Directional, Preprogrammed, and Customizable RI Remote Control with Backlight, Onscreen Setup, Mode-Key LEDs, and Macro Presets for Four Activities
