Oct 10, 2004 03:12 PM
17525 Views
(Updated Oct 10, 2004 03:15 PM)
Music is relaxing to all of us and getting best possible music system within your budget is the aim of my writing this review.
Well, whatever budget you may have - Rs 10,000, Rs 50,000, 1 lac or 5 lac: you can buy the gadgets in any of the amount. Costlier gadgets will definitely sound better.
The most important part of music system is the speaker. Sound reproduction has to be by speaker. Its still the same old speaker when it was invented and there is nothing (at least as far as I can see) which will replace it for another 100 years. The
2nd important part is the amplifier. Its still the same old electronics when it was invented and this will also remain for ever. Only components used has changed, it was valve in earlier days, changed to transistors and now integrated circuits.
On priority I give 3rd place to the input device. This keeps changing very fast. It started with gramophone records, then SW radio, MW radio, audio cassettes, FM radio, CDs, MP3, digital broadcasting and latest to DVD audio.
So when you buy a combination music system - minis, midis and maxis, 2 in one, 3 in one, 5 in one etc and it lasts for say 5 to 10 years, its time for you to change the system and buy the latest as old CD player will not play mp3, or later it will become obsolete as dvd audio becomes popular etc etc. Each time you pay for a set of speakers, built in amplifier and input device. Then if your cassette player or CD player or tuner breaks down, you need to change the music system.
What I suggest is that within your budget you buy the best of the speakers and 2nd best amplifier. The input device will keep changing with time. That is to say, if you plan to buy your dream audio system in Rs 10,000 - spend Rs 5000 on speaker, 3000 on amplifier and 2000 in input device. The quality and Hi fidelity of sound also depends on the quality of equipments in the same order. Best amplifier in the market with 2nd best speaker will give you lower performance than the best speaker and 2nd best amplifier.
I have been using bose speakers with marantz amplifier since 1990. Sound is perfect to this date. Input devices have been changing with time. Earlier I was using Kenwood Cassette deck and Kenwood FM tuner, then Sony audio CD was added to it. Now its input is from computer and thats the main audio input device I use. The best audio input device in present scenario is computer. Its unmatched. The quality of sound - I can not make out any difference whether it is from Sony CD player or Computer's CD ROM. Further its versatile in storing, recording and playing music. Its prudent to invest in moderate to good sound card for PC instead of using onboard sound card.
If you keep buying a music system every 4 to 5 years, say for around Rs 10 - 15 thousands, you spend more and get inferior sound. After an year of use your speakers will start crackling as you increase the volume and music is no more soothing. Instead if you spend say 1 lac on speaker and amplifier, it will stay with you till your life with very high quality music output. Only thing you have to change is the music source input as the technology advances. Most of the speakers in this price range give you life time warranty and quality amplifiers should last 25 to 50 years. I have been using a 27 year old JVC amplifier in my shop and 14 year old marantz at home without any loss of Hi Fidelity or giving trouble anytime.
