Music all the way -- almost

This is music to the ears -- for consumers, that is. If you are market-bound and looking for a good two-in-one stereo, help is at hand. A ready reckoner to assist the consumer in making an intelligent choice is a comparative test done by Consumer Voice, a non-profit voluntary consumer action group working for consumer awareness.

The organisation carried out tests on eight popular brands of two-in-one stereos available in the market, picked up at random from various authorised dealers across the city. The tested brands of two-in-one stereo include BPL (Black Pearl), Panasonic (RX-F5-410A), Philips (RR-584), Thomson (TM-4713EQ), Sony (CFS-B 5S), Sansui (PRX-275), Sharp (QT-ss-10) and Videocon (V-SX262).

The tests carried out in the Union Ministry of Information Technology's laboratory centered on the quality of sound output, electrical parameters, subjective listening test, testing of inventory, mechanical parameters, eco-criteria and safety of the stereos.

Releasing the report of the tests, Dr. Roopa Vajpeyi, Honorary Editor of VOICE, said: ``Each of the eight brands that we tested performed well and seven of the eight brands that we tested have been termed good.''

According to the test results, the BPL set costing Rs. 2,800 tops the overall score by finishing first in the nine performance parameters. However, a Panasonic model is described as an intelligent buy, priced at Rs.2,300, and tops the parameters like subjective listening, signal-to-noise ratio, maximum useful output, and ranks second in labelling. Following closely behind are Philips, Thomson, Sony, Sansui and Sharp.

Videocon was the only brand that could not make it to the good bracket, having to be content with just average rating.

``The comparative tests are an effort to make the consumer aware of the brands and their money value. We also aim to sensitise the consumer about their rights and alert them about the many loopholes that the market holds for them,'' said Dr. Vajpeyi.

Meanwhile, surveys conducted by VOICE in some of the major markets in the city, pointed out that at the current market price while a brand new medium size two-in-one stereo costs Rs. 3,000, one could buy two local brands having the same audio output at the same price.

The report explained: Assembled two-in-one stereos in the 40-80 watts range cost only between Rs.400 and 600 in the Delhi market. A 200-watt set costs Rs.900 to Rs.1,200. All of them are equipped with earphone, pick-up and pick-in sockets. However, one drawback found in local brands is the fact that these are generally AC operated only. Their guarantee period varies from one month to six months depending on the price and FM radio can be installed for Rs. 200 extra, making it not too bad a deal.

By Bindu Jacob

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