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LG DVD Mini Hi-Fi System FBD103

It’s hard when looking for a new Hi-fi which is easy to use and has great sound. At first, I intended to get a bundle of Integrated amplifier, turner and a pair of bookshelf speakers. So I went down to Slim Lim Tower and take a look at the models they have there.

At one of the shop at Slim Lim Tower, the sales assistant setup a set of integrated amplifier, turner and a pair of bookshelf speakers which he recommend. He played some songs for me to listen, when listening I found that the speaker’s bass is good but the vocals were not clear.

This bundle is price at $350 which is rather affordable but the audio reproduction isn’t good so I didn’t purchase it. I left Slim Lim Tower and went to The Adelphi to take a look around. At one of the shop in The Adelphi, the sales assistant recommend me a set of Marantz Integrated amplifier and turner.

Next he show me the range of bookshelf speakers they have and recommend me the ELAC bookshelf speakers. He setup the speakers and played some songs for me listen. The speakers were able to produce clear vocals, the bass is great and there is sound stage present during the playback.

This set of Marantz Integrated amplifier, turner and a pair of ELAC bookshelf speakers cost $1K. Even though This bundle is good but it is too pricey for me so next I went down to Mustafa and this time I will be taking a look at Hi-Fi system instead of a bundle of Integrated amplifier, turner and a pair of bookshelf speakers.

At Mustafa, I took a look around for big Hi-Fi system as most of the sets are small in size. Small Hi-Fi system sets have average audio quality and the sound isn’t that loud unlike big Hi-Fi system sets.

First I listen to Sony Hi-Fi System which are rather big sets but the bass is rather weak even though the drivers were big. Next I listen to few sets of LG DVD Mini Hi-Fi System, first I listen to LG DVD Mini Hi-Fi System FB163.

This set is a 3 way speakers with a side woofer but the audio reproduction is disappointing, the mid range is rather soft and the bass is weak. So I move on to the next set the LG DVD Mini Hi-Fi System FBD103 which is a two way speaker and this set audio quality is what I wanted.

Mid range is clear, with the help of the tweeter it bring more details to the audio experience and the bass is loud. The LG DVD Mini Hi-Fi System FBD103 is priced at $240 and I brought it as I like the audio quality of this set and it fit my budget.

Back at home, it is a breeze when setting up the LG DVD Mini Hi-Fi System FBD103.

Rear of the LG DVD Mini Hi-Fi System FBD103

At the rear of the system, there is a composite and component video output for connecting to television but why isn’t there a S-video output? Speakers are connected via red and white cables, FM and AM antennas are included in the package.

Setting up the FM antennas is easy, just plug the antenna into the rear and hang it on the wall.

Two way bass reflex speaker, on top is the tweeter which help produce high frequencies. The bottom is the mid-range and woofer driver.

The speaker of the LG DVD Mini Hi-Fi System FBD103 is a two way bass reflex speaker. Bass reflex speaker extend the frequency response of the system and each of the speaker is rated at 50 watt 4 ohm. The frequency response of this speaker range from 40-20000HZ and it’s signal to noise ratio is 75dB.

At the rear of the speaker, there is port flare.

The play controls on the main system is a touch sense panel, just touch on the play icon on the panel and the disc will play. Beside the usual play, stop, forward and backward buttons. There is USB record button on the left of the touch sense panel, this feature will transfer songs from CD to MP3 players that is attached to the system.

On the right of the touch sense panel, there is a XDSS button (Extreme Dynamic Sound System) and this feature reinforces treble, bass and surround effect. Most of the time when I’m listening to this set, the XDSS is turn on as the sound reproduce is louder and clearer than default and even it’s equalizer presets.

Thumbs up for this feature as it greatly enhances the audio quailty of the system. The knob on the right is the volume control, turn it clockwise to turn up the volume. I find that the touch sense panel isn’t sensitive as sometimes I need to press twice to play a disc.

On the left of the panel. there is the off/on, function, clock and timer button. At the button of the left panel buttons, there is a USB button where user could connect MP3 players to it.

Flipping open the panel beside the touch controls, there is microphone volume controls, two microphone inputs, port. in/line in and phones out jack. This set has karaoke feature so you can plug in microphones and sing along with your friends.

The disc tray is a typical eject type, the design of this set could be more sleek if it were to adopt tray less disc drive.

Easy to use remote

Now it is time to put this system to the test.

Music

I will playing Leona Lewis Yesterday song and XDSS is turn on for this test.

Mid range were clear, the bass is very good, loud and clear. The audio performance is great thanks to the XDSS feature, turning it off the audio playback is soft and bass is weak.

Movie

I will playing Resident Evil: Degeneration for this test. The vocals and explosion were clear and loud in this movie. The speakers were able to create a eerie environment which make me chill.

Turning on the Virtual Surround Matrix makes the sound louder and it create a virtual space around me. Overall the movie experience is good on this set but I still prefer using 5.1 setups for watching movie.

LG DVD Mini Hi-Fi System FBD103

Advantages

• XDSS feature greatly enhances the audio experiences
• Easy to setup
• Touch panel
• Great sound thanks to XDSS
• Sleek and glossy design

Disadvatages

• Sometimes Touch panel is not sensitive, I need to press twice to play
• No S-video output

written by Max \\ tags: DVD, Hi-fi, LG, LG DVD Mini Hi-Fi System FBD103, LG FBD103, Marantz, radio, Slim Lim Tower