SVEN MS-103 speaker system is a bright example of a budget-oriented set with a subwoofer. It’s no laughing matter: the cheapest plastic speakers cost about $10, and here you get two full-range speakers, a good-looking subwoofer and a convenient wired remote control for only $20. It only remains for us to check the quality of the sound.
Package Contents
The set is sold in a modest-sized box and has no additional accessories as all the wires and the volume control are attached to the cabinets. Except for the speaker system itself, the package includes an operation manual and a warranty card.
Appearance and Design
Both satellites have black plastic enclosures. They are oval-shaped, truncated at both ends. For desktop placement they are supplied with small stands with rubber feet bending these flattened cylinders toward the listener’s ears.
The satellites connect to the subwoofer by means of a split wire with a 3.5 mm jack. It’s about 135 cm long, so the speakers can be placed not only next to a medium-sized laptop, but also next to a widescreen TV.
The subwoofer is encased into a miniature cabinet, a reduced copy of a full-size sub. On the bottom there is a small driver with a paper cone about 55 mm in diameter. To avoid its damage during operation, the cabinet is put on four feet 3 cm high. On the side, there is a plastic tube acting as a bass reflex port.
The volume level can be adjusted with a fully plastic wired remote control with a backlit decorative ring. Its shape reminds of a truncated pyramid, so it’s quite convenient to use and its only minus is small weight.
Except for the rotary volume control knob, the remote is equipped with a headphone jack and a microphone jack (for a separate mic or as a part of a headset). If you’re going to use a microphone (nowadays very few people are ignoring voice services), the corresponding plug of the signal cable should be connected to the sound card.
Listening Impressions
The listening test was pleasantly surprising. The satellites reproduce the whole sound frequency range starting from 200 Hz quite vividly, without any side tones. Naturally, at the very highs there is a small peak. At the lows, they are greatly supported by the subwoofer starting to operate from about 85 Hz. However, the main advantage of the set is its ability to achieve decent sound pressure with such modest size without any clashing, wheezing sounds or other defects – it’s enough for comfortable listening to music in small rooms.
Conclusion
To sum it up, we give MS-103 our high estimate. For only $20, you get a cute compact set of good-looking appearance and convenient design that will in addition surprise you with pleasant sound. The strong point of the model, in our opinion, is the wired remote control allowing not just to change the volume quickly, but also to conveniently connect a headset for Skype use. Returning to the issue of the sound, we can state that it doesn’t reach the level of a full-sized multimedia speaker set but if you view SVEN MS-103 as an opportunity to upgrade your laptop, you’ll feel tremendous difference.