Filed under: Reviews | Home Entertainment
Insignia 75W DVD/CD/HD Radio Compact Shelf System Review
Dec 18 2007, 12:00am CST | by Shane McGlaun
Home audio is still popular in the era of digital music. People want access to their digital music files in the home without having to wear headphones. Best Buy has an interesting, and compact shelf system that is packed with features that is sure to make music and movie fans happy. Read the full review for all the details.
Benchmarks
Features & Specifications
The Insignia 75w Shelf System has more features than you commonly see on much larger stereo systems. You get DVD playback, CD and HD radio tuners along with AM/FM. On the top of the system is a dock for your iPod and you can connect other brands of MP3 players via a front USB port and the USB port provides music playback control.
The system can play virtually every media format including; DVD, DVD-R, DVD-R DL, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD-RW, DVD-RW DL, DVD+RW, DVD+RW DL, CD-R/RW, CD, VCD/SVCD, JPEG, MP3 and WMA formats. The DVD player has progressive-scan video output for the best picture with a digital TV. The speakers each have a 1-inch tweeter and a 4-inch woofer built-in.
The tiny system has multiple DSP modes including Dolby Digital decoding and there are six pre-set EQ modes to choose from. The systems VFD display shows music track information based on metadata inside digital tracks. Outputs on the rear of the system include composite video, S-video, component video, and one digital optical out. The system also ships with a remote control for controlling the functions. Power output from the system is 75W RMS (37.5W x 2).
Setup and Use
Setting up the Insignia 75w Shelf System was easy to do and only required that the stereo be unpacked form the box, connect the speaker wires and plug the system in. The sound quality is good with the Insignia 75w Shelf System, though it could use a more bass. However, you can’t really expect thunderous bass from a small shelf system.
Music and radio stations sound good from the system and distortion is minimal even at higher volume settings. The addition of a DVD player and video outputs to the Insignia 75w Shelf System is a nice touch. This makes the system ideal for use in a dorm room or other small space where a DVD player is wanted and space is at a premium.
Video quality from the DVD player is good, easily as good as any other standard DVD player I have used. The sound output from the Insignia 75w Shelf System will be better than the sound you get from most TVs, which is a bonus to many.
The iPod dock works as you expect it to providing control over track, pause and play functions and on tunes with metadata in them, you get track info as well on the stereos display. The USB port provides the same functionality for music control. This was my first experience with HD radio, and while there is only one HD radio station in my area the difference in sound quality between HD stations and FM was readily noticeable. The HD tuner will be a feature many music fans might not think they need, but will end up enjoying greatly.
Verdict
Conclusion
Pros
- Small size
- DVD player
- HD Tuner
Cons
- Weak bass
Verdict
As long as you aren’t expecting levels of bass on par with larger stereo systems, you should have nothing to complain about with the Insignia 75w Shelf System. The small size makes this the perfect system for a dorm room or office and the sound quality is good. The price is also right at $159.99.8.010where to buy
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Shane McGlaun
Leading our review center, Shane knows technology inside out. His
extensive experience in testing computer hardware and consumer
electronics enable him to effectively qualify new products and trends. If you want us review your product, please contact Shane.
Shane can be contacted directly at shane@i4u.com.
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