May be, grab it (Philips MMS 221)

Member Name: roktimdutta

Product:	Philips MMS 221
Date:	27/10/09 (8 review reads)
Rating:

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Before writing a review on the 'Philips MMS 221' multimedia PC speaker it is very much necessary to understand what is actually meant by bass reflex speaker system and its significances and application in acoustics.

To understand what is actually meant by bass reflex it is important to be familiar with traditional and simpler sealed enclosed system performance. A sealed enclosure system attaches the speakers to a sealed enclosure barring a small air leak included to equalize the ambient pressure inside. As the air inside the enclosure is compressed and rarified it acts as an acoustical compliance element. More often than not an acoustic material is stuffed in the box to reduce standing waves, dissipate heat and other reasons. Where as in case of a bass-reflex enclosure, a port is added to the construction. Typically the port is cylindrical and is flanged on the end pointing outside the enclosure. In this system the amount of acoustic stuffing used is much less than the sealed enclosure one and quite often none at all.

It delivers superlative audio performance that is further enhanced by a carefully engineered mounting system. It eliminates spurious vibration and resonance, allowing the speaker to deliver its full sonic potential. The design boosts woofer performance and similarly the twitter design minimizes high frequency losses resulting in remarkable high frequency detail. The over all result is extraordinarily smooth, accurate response through out the audio spectrum. And exactly this is the specialty of this particular speaker system of Philips.

It is time that we have look at the technical specification of Philips MMS 221:

'Series' Harmonic Pulse
'System Components' 2 speakers
'Nominal Output Power (Total)' 3.0 Watt
'Response Bandwidth' -19880.0 Hz (120-20000 Hz)''''
''''Output Features'''' Bass Reflex ''''
'Magnetic Shield' Yes
'Audio Amplifier' Integrated
'Connectivity Technology' Wired
'Speakers Included' 2.0 x Right/left channel speaker - 1.5 Watt - -19880.0 Hz
'Driver Details' Right/left channel speaker : 1.0 x Full-range driver - 3.0 in
'Connector Type' 1.0 x Audio line-in ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ) , 1.0
'Headphones' ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )
'Width' 4.7 in
'Depth' 3.7 in
'Height' 8.1 in

Just look at the Response band width and the wattage. Yet it gives amazing bass as well as treble response. It also more or less eliminates equalization issues since the response is continuous through out the frequency range spectrum but then evidently you loose control over groups of frequencies and the out put becomes a bit flat. The bass does not boom and highs becomes subdued. This takes the sting out of the out put which is not big enough (3 watts). The cymbals might become jarring and Roger Whittaker might sound too heavy (this man has real golden voice, Neil Diamond, don't take it to your heart, it's just that I have not mentioned you).

Another draw back is the 2 (1x1) system which means no under lining of frequency range groups. What I believe a good system should at least have a boofer, a woofer and tweeter to give quality out put, things that make you nod your head.

It's magnetically shielded, includes an integrated amplifier, headphone response has no hiccups. For general purpose use it is quite an enviable possession and compares very favorably with other in its range. Definitely good shopping and there is no point denying PHILIPS brand guarantee. It's going to satisfy if not mesmerize you my friend.

(This review was first published at ciao.co.uk under the same user name)

Summary: Worth it's price

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