In the affordable consumer-grade speaker systems we review, we mostly see the same technical solutions. If the budget is limited, manufacturers cannot use technologies of a principally different level, so the competition in this segment is concentrated on the appearance, comfort in use and aesthetics. SVEN MS-1020 looks advantageous in this respect, as the triphonic system is really innovatively designed and, moreover, some elements are completely new.
Package Contents
The speaker system comes in an ordinary cardboard box with traditional package contents:
- Subwoofer;
- Two satellites;
- Signal cable;
- Wired remote control;
- Operation manual and warranty card.
So unpack and listen!
Appearance and Design
The satellites are made as an intricate plastic construction in red and black. The materials are high quality, and the designer’s solution appeals to us. The satellite speakers are as tall as an ordinary LCD monitor, so you can feel their immensity and scale.
Yet the sound is reproduced via quite modestly sized drivers. Most of the load is on the small full-range driver with an oval paper cone, and the highs are under the responsibility of the plastic cone tweeter.
The subwoofer has a bandpass enclosure, so the driver is hidden inside the cabinet. Outside there is a plastic bass reflex tube only. The cabinet is made from MDF boards covered with black vinyl film. To make all the elements of the system go well together, on the front of the subwoofer there is a red-and-black plastic panel with a power switch button in the center.
All the connections are made maximally simple. The satellites are connected to RCA output jacks, and the signal is transferred to the same kind of a stereo input. The wired remote has several functions; therefore it’s equipped with a multipin connector.
The design of the remote is really curious. We’ve never seen anything like this before. Three separate metal-stylized control knobs are united into a common construction reminding of a trefoil in shape. The remote is fixed on the table with a slip-proof rubber layer. In general, such a remote looks very imposing.
Practical Testing and Listening
The frequency response of the elements of the system measured in our test lab is in line with the price bracket we are focusing on. The satellites start playing at about 150 Hz providing the curve of ±5 dB. In the highs, you can observe a slight cut. The subwoofer works starting from 50 Hz, but it’s worth mentioning that its sound is vividly point-like. This means that in some rooms you’ll probably have to search for an optimal place where the result will be the best.
As to our subjective estimates, the system sounds good. The satellites have medium level of volume in store, their sound has no apparent defects, but it’s not detailed enough in the mids. The subwoofer sounds confident, though, in view of its design, it’s most suitable for uncomplicated modern music.
Conclusion
In the end, we estimate SVEN MS-1020 as an attractive speaker system providing sound of good quality. Naturally, speakers having such an appearance should be bought for special rooms with corresponding interior they are actually designed for.