Mar 15, 2006 10:54 PM
44320 Views
(Updated Mar 15, 2006 10:54 PM)
Let me first clarify that this review is for DHC-AZ2D, not AZ5D.
My criteria was a small sized hi-fidelity system which should come around Rs. 15,000/-. Unfortunately the available systems in bangalore for that price range did not have the sound quality I was looking for. Just for the heck of it, I tried the sony DHC-AZ2D in a showroom. I was hooked.
The AZ2D has two speakers with 100w RMS each ie 200W RMS. (Dont go in for the PMPO ratings, they are just a marketing gimmick, anyway this system had 2200 w PMPO.). 2. It can play CD, VCD, DVD (Progressive Scan), DVD+R, DVD-R media. The music file formats includes MP3.
The system has Dolby digital and DTS sound processors. (but no Prologic circuitary, Prologic is available on AZ5D)
What I liked most is the USB interface. Have you been frustrated with the tin-ny sound from your computer speakers, well, just attach the USB cable between your computer and AZ2D and you have a 200W of musical power at your fingertips.
Of course it has the standard cassete player, 2 of them in fact! ....and AM/FM tuners.
AZ2D doesnt come with a sub-woofer, but listening to the system, I didnt miss the sub-woofer much. The two speakers did a pretty good job of the low frequency.
One point on which you can never blame sony is the look and feel. The main unit has two tone colour of grey and black with red back lit lettering for the buttons. Oh, did I mention the buttons are actually ''touch screen''? Come to think of it, I didnt have to touch it that often, as it comes with a remote control. I found the remote unfriendly and un-intuitive, with lots of buttons cluttered together.
Of course all these comes at a price. I was looking for a system for Rs. 15,000/-, but ended up paying Rs. 19,300 for this system from Vivek's, Indiranagar. But hey, it was worth every single naya paise!
I didnt have to go for any maintenance so far. 2 days after I bought it, Sony customer support called me up to check if I needed help with using the system and gave me an local customer support number.
Since I didnt own other music system in this price range, I cant guide you in comparing between AZ2D and other systems. All I can say is, if you are a sound buff, you need a cd, vcd, dvd player with mp3 capabilities and play music from internet and you are ready to shell out 20000 INR, this is THE system. Go for it.
