Philips has launched the latest in its Streamium range of networked media players, the MCI900.
The new device includes a CD/DVD player, streaming capability, internet radio, 160GB hard drive and a 3.5in colour screen. The speakers use Philips’ ‘SoundSphere’ technology, the result of seven years of research, which has produced the distinctive ‘freed’ tweeter.
The 25mm soft-dome tweeters are mounted in their own thick, one-piece aluminium enclosure supported by a rigid, sonically inert arm. Philips says the idea is that this helps them to produce a wider dispersion of sound and frees the tweeters from any vibrations or standing waves within the main speaker cabinet for a more accurate and uncoloured sound.
The tweeter sits above the 5in woofer built into the top of the 1.8in thick aluminium cabinet, and the woofer is angled slightly forwards for improved sound projection.
The system is powered by a Class D digital amplifier built into the main unit offering 50 watts per channel. It can be networked using Ethernet, USB or 802.11n Wi-Fi connectivity to deliver internet radio, stream tracks from a PC and also record to the included 160GB USB hard drive. You can also connect it to a TV via HDMI.
The Philips Streamium MCI900 is on sale now for £999.