Release of new speaker systems is always both an interesting to us and momentous event in the Byelorussian market. It is hard to miss the mark by stating that yet another model which was put under test by our hard-searching reviewers will be of some interest not only for the writers of these publications but also for the reader (or listener). So, what we are dealing with today? With a compact-sized Sven Emotion speaker system which hopefully will prove to be all-strengths when tested. One cannot help but take notice of the compact 2.1 speaker system from the well-known manufacturer, Sven Company Ltd., which found its way to our test laboratory under a rather fit name «Emotion». Now, what kind of emotions has this system evoked in us as we got acquainted with it more closely, our readers will learn from this review. Sven Emotion product faces serious rivalry, so we are to find out to what extent the specifications of this new model of speaker system conform to their announced price which is $ 50 as of the date of this article.

Specifications

To begin with, let’s get acquainted with its specifications being the courtesy of the manufacturer.

The abovementioned specifications as well as frequency range slightly exaggerated towards HF are given for reference only and cannot «give rise to any claims» as their manufacturer states.

Packing and Contents

We have before our eyes a small-sized cardboard box in red and white colors typical for Sven products. Massive foam plastic inserts housing the compact-sized speaker system in their special compartments are seen inside.

The package contents is as follows:

• subwoofer;
• satellites;
• mini jack to mini jack audio connecting cable;
• operation manual;
• warranty card.

All other wires not listed above are not detachable from the system components.

First Impressions

The color of the system at our hands is silvery, though other colors such as black, grey, wood-stylized ones are also available. However, this type of coloring strikes as elegant too. In the opinion of one of my colleagues, review writers, silvery coloring now so common among various types of devices is most fit for both home and office interiors. And to say the truth, in our subjective opinion, wood-stylized plastic satellites would have looked quite weird. But as the saying goes, tastes differ, and it should not be about taste but about the freedom of choice.

The system’s subwoofer evokes most positive feelings: compact-sized, massive, of almost cubic shape, it casts its spell over anyone at the first glance merely by its appearance. However, this does not exhaust the list of its advantages which we shall describe here below.

The subwoofer’s cabinet is made of MDF plates which fact the manufacturer could not help but mention among the main features of the system. The only plastic element is front panel of a bit convex shape.

Practically all of the subwoofer’s front panel surface is occupied by the drive which pertains to so-called Scandinavian type with the cap widened to the size of the cone. Its surface is opaque, while its color coincides with the general coloring of the subwoofer.

Apart from the drive, the front panel accommodates nameplate with the company’s logo and blue light-emitting indicator: a pretty practicable feature, if anything. The indicator “shines” brightly thus providing a user with a convenience of not straining his eyes as is the case with pale illumination. By the way, if blue illumination happens to be against the user’s liking, it may be turned off any time. Moreover, most of users place their subwoofers under the table so brightness of this indicator makes no point here.

The enclosure here is of vented type with the port located on the subwoofer’s right side; the port has plastic tube with exponential extender shutting out the incidental jet noises . Deep inside the port we can discern the protective grid which many manufacturers nowadays are so fond of saving on, be the saving ever so little. But Sven company is well-known primarily for quality of its products and not for their cost-effectiveness, so here is everything as it should be.

Let’s proceed to the back panel. Here we see 3.5 mm signal input, RCA-outputs for right/left satellites and mains on/off switch. Close to these, in the upper left corner, the system controls such as master volume control and individual subwoofer volume control knobs are located. Both knobs are plastic, medium-sized and knurled to trace the actual position.

Satellite speakers. Let’s begin with remarking the satellites’ shape. We’ll dare to call them handsome and gracious referring you to their picture for justification of this statement. In our view, this speaker system may cause plenty of applause mail from lovers of extraordinary design.

The proper satellites are thin and tall. Odd enough as it may seem, a tumbler (if one puts aside its shape) is the first parallel which pops up in mind when you see the beauty of their feet. At the first glance the satellites’ design seems a bit too fragile and unsteady which, however, has little to do with reality. Because of its base with bottom part making a single-part tablet-shaped foot, the satellite stands steady «on its one leg».

The satellite speakers employ 38 mm full-range drives while the speakers themselves are one-way satellites.

The proper drives of both the satellites and the subwoofer are of Scandinavian type, though covered with glossy “metallic” cap. The length of satellites’ wires with RCA jacks for the subwoofer connection on their ends makes up about 1,5 m. Such length may be qualified as a medium-ranged one.

Well then, as we can see, the impressions from the appearance and «internal outfit» are very positive. At least, no one single detail caused negative and exceptionally adverse emotions. The only thing remained for us to do is to lift the veil and find out the sound performance.

Subjective Audition

The subwoofer performed compositions pertaining to different musical genres excellently and fully justified the model’s name. The bass attack is rather clear cut, sound impaction is very little if at all. With the volume above the medium level the bass may sound a bit boomy, but this is easy to repair by turning LF control down.

In short, here everything is OK, no faults are found nor can be found. Different sound sources connection capability is a feature which will be highly appreciated by many users who are fond of diversity. As for the satellites, their performance is rather regular for their acoustics category featuring some peculiarities. The system in general produces a rather clear and rich sound within the entire range of rendered frequencies.

Furthermore, it is “not by music alone…”. It is common knowledge that most of the speaker system models are purchased for playing music in games and movies. Sven Emotion doesn’t fail in this respect too, thus appropriating the status of a multi-purpose home system.

Findings

Here everything is beautiful: both its «mind» and its «soul», as one famous Chekhov’s expression puts it. Sven Emotion compact-sized speaker system with its interestingly shaped satellites and cubic subwoofer cannot but draw the eye and be to the liking of those who appreciate designer’s delicacies. As to sound performance, the subwoofer covers the announced frequency range of 40–120 Hz. Another interesting feature is the capability of adjusting both volume and LF level.

The system is very easy to operate and will pleasantly surprise the diversity lovers with its capability to connect not only to PC and laptop, but also to other external sound sources (in particular, to MP3/CD/DVD players).

Strengths:

• interesting design of satellites;
• reduced price;
• good quality subwoofer.

Weaks:

• not-too-powerful satellites.

Pictures are production of TECHLABS studio, photographer Artyom Kondratenkov