2023-08-14 06:30:55
The JVC/Kenwood entity was born in 2008 from the merger of these two very large Japanese consumer electronics brands, JVC on the one hand and Kenwood on the other. Its M-9000S system takes us back several decades, as it is a micro system, a concept which was at its height in the 1990s. But this one incorporates a network player in order to be completely in the zeitgeist.
Kenwood M-9000S
Type: built-in stereo
L’avis d’ON-mag : (4/5)
Price at the time of the test: environ 300 €
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The main interest of this Kenwood M-9000S microsystem consists in combining several functionalities in a single system, and this for a very reasonable budget: a CD player, an FM/DAB+ radio tuner, access to web radios, a Bluetooth connection, a port for a USB key and above all a Frontier Smart Technologies audio streamer, which is controlled from the Undok application on a smartphone, while being Spotify Connect compatible. It is therefore a true all-in-one device, which is moreover in an ultra-compact format. The central unit, which includes all the electronics, amplification and sources, is only 26 cm wide for as much in depth and only 11.5 cm high. The two accompanying speakers are also quite compact (17.3 x 26.3 x 24 cm). They are two-way models, with light chipboard cabinetry, plastic front panel, 13 cm paper cone woofer, 28 mm textile dome tweeter and bass-reflex tuning by rear vent.
At the back of the central unit, the connectors are rather sparse compared to what is available, for example, on the Taga Harmony HTR-1000 CD v.2 model or the Onkyo R-N855 & C-755 mini-system set, but it must be recognized that these two products do not play in the same court either in terms of price, since they display prices that range from simple to more than triple compared to the Kenwood M-9000S microsystem.
Here, apart from the aerial socket, the clip-on loudspeaker terminal block, there is only one analogue auxiliary input on the mini jack socket. But given the all-in-one vocation of the device, which integrates a maximum of sources, this seems to us sufficient for the vast majority of users.
On the front, the USB Host port used to play MP3 or AAC from a USB key accepts files with a bit rate of up to 320 kbps, but is not compatible with FLAC or WAV in CD-Audio quality. A 3.5 mm mini jack socket, to be able to listen to headphones, completes the equipment.
An easy-to-live micro Hifi system
The set is aesthetically discreet and sober, without unnecessary frills. The construction looks serious. The chassis and the cover of the central unit are made of sheet metal and the front face is made of plastic. There are several keys on the upper edge to access the menus and two large main control wheels (tune/select on the left and volume on the right) framing a very practical color display. The latter, 6 x 3 cm, relays essential information depending on the menu on which you are: the Internet radio listened to with its name and logo, the Bluetooth connection with the title and performer of the song being played, the time elapsed and the remaining time…
During our tests, we found the CD playback mechanism to be slightly noisy, emitting a small audible hum when listening. Apart from this small downside, the Kenwood M-9000S is very pleasant to live with and listen to. It can even act as an alarm clock thanks to its dual alarm. It is announced for a power of 2 x 50 watts and already delivers a sufficiently comfortable acoustic power to add sound to a small living room. It is easy to use. The sound is properly balanced, not garish, with good coherence and overall ventilation. It is quite warm, thanks to a low end that is not too narrow. To prevent it from sounding too boomy, we recommend placing the two speakers on a very firm support that does not sound like a sound box. This condition respected, makes room for the ease and pleasure of all listening, alone, in pairs or during an evening with friends.
In summary
This Kenwood M-9000S chain, which is often found for less than 300 €, is a good little do-it-all set, with which we had a good time. It is a very interesting alternative to a simple connected speaker like the Sonos Era 100 or the Yamaha MusicCast 20, offered at a relatively similar price without being able to claim true stereo rendering, unlike this micro-system.
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Specifications
Type: integrated stereo microsystem Power: 2 x 50 watts at 6 ohms Analog connectors: Line input on 3.5 mm jack, 3.5 mm jack output Digital inputs: Bluetooth 4.2, USB Host Remote control supplied Dimensions: 26 x 11.5 x 26 cm (central unit), 17.3 x 26.3 x 24 cm (per speaker) Weight: 2 kg (central unit), 2.4 kg (per speaker) 2-way speakers, bass-reflex, with dome tweeter 28 mm and 13 cm woofer
Price noted at the time of the test: environ 300 €
Our opinion
1691995667
#Future #connected #micro #Hifi #system