Philips Teenage hi-fi solution. (Philips FW M589)

Member Name: doylo

Product:	Philips FW M589
Date:	24/05/09 (92 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good sound, loud, variety of inputs, gameport is unique.

Disadvantages: Maybe a little outdated now.

I've had this system for a few years now, saved up from my paper round, which took quite a while when it was new on the market! One thing to take notice is that it still works perfectly, sound is still as clear as the day I bought it, all the different features on the unit still work. However, due to water damage, the buttons on the remote don't exactly do what they're supposed to, the bottom half seem to choose anything but the noted function. But that's entirely my fault. I have put this system through alot, moved it from university halls to back home every holiday, yet it's never broken on me and even with the inefficience of amplifiers, never had a problem with heat (it's never even got warm). Some of the features are somewhat complicated, all explained in the manual and most aren't necessary. I found the clock function more of a pest due to all my equipment blowing the garage fuse.

The system contains a 5cd changer (rarely used), radio (never used) and USB PC link support plus aux and a gameport inputs. The last being most interesting, I use the system through the aux port from my computer, works great, I can use all the different presets for what I want, or just leave it on 'Optimal' to get a nice dynamic range. I also have my Xbox360 plugged into the gameport, it has the option to route the video, however I just ignore this and plug the video straight into my TV. When selecting gameport, there's an option to 'mix it', pressing this allows you to have two inputs at the same time, e.g. gameport and aux. This comes in handy when I'm watching something on the computer, but don't want to play in silence. The gameport has it's own volume control to stop a tedius unbalancing process.

I used to use the USB PC link, the software provided is simple to use and the sound is awesome, however, due to the USB running through software, I had latency issues with music production software. If you don't use a midi keyboard, I really wouldn't worry. But if you do, the time it takes between pressing a key and hearing the note was painfully awkward. This will only effect a small majority mind.

Although this system is quite outdated now, not sure about the price it would go for and unclear about the competition, it will still look awesome in any teen's bedroom with the light-up speedometers and the 'Max Sound' button is sure to annoy any neighbours.

In comparison to other systems, I'm really not a fan of these new iPod docks, it seems they can charge whatever they like for a basic system with not a lot of power, if it looks good and has specific iPod leads. But what's the point? You get a lot more for your money if you make a playlist, use the aux, and get more power to fuel that party when your parents go away. (Respect the neighbours mind...)

Summary: Great teenage hi-fi, still relevent today.

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