The Onkyo CBX-600UKD… premium sound with style to match
Classy all-in-one audio system with CD, FM DAB+ tuner and 'slide-out' iPod dock
With the iPod now the world's most ubiquitous portable music source there's a huge worldwide appetite for iPod-based audio systems. Onkyo's new CBX-600UKD meets that need but adds top-quality CD and FM/DAB+ radio replay into the equation along, of course, with elegant designer looks.
KEY FEATURES
Sources – MP3/WMA-compatible CD, iPod, Radio, Aux
'Slide out' iPod Digital Direct Dock
Top-loading, dust-proof, slot-in CD drive
FM/DAB+ tuner with RDS – 30 presets
Alarm clock functionality with 4 timer modes
Solid aluminium top
Anti-vibration Separated Speaker construction
Aero Acoustic Drive
2 x 10w power amplifiers
11-step bass/treble control
3-step SuperBass control
1 x Headphone jack, 1 x 3.5mm (mini jack) Aux in
Measuring just 202mm deep and 193mm high, the mains-powered CBX-600UKD is as much a design statement as a means of bringing high quality audio to the most space-constrained of environments. Whether placed in a lounge, bedroom or office, it looks discreet yet still purposeful.
Drawing on decades of audio experience Onkyo's engineers have created a breathtakingly good sounding device that properly reflects the fact that many people want and expect more than just iPod replay from a premium compact audio system… by also incorporating a CD player and a FM/DAB+ tuner.
At first glance, however, you might wonder exactly where the iPod dock is. Tap the small square at the base of the front panel and the answer becomes clear as the iPod gently tray slides out to meet you. When not in use the tray can be hidden out of sight, leaving nothing to ruin the system's graceful lines.
By the way, you can be sure that the tunes on your iPod will sound pretty amazing. Onkyo has used the knowledge gained while developing its multi-award winning ND-S1 Digital Media Transport to create a Digital Direct connection that maximises the sound quality of compressed audio files.
The CD player employed is a slot-loading type, mounted in the top panel with a dust-proof cover. Place your disc in the slot and it smoothly descends into the CBX-600UKD, rising just as gracefully when ejected. Run your fingers over the top plate while you're there and you'll notice Onkyo has fashioned it in a nicely tactile, solid aluminium alloy.
With digital radio switchover scheduled to happen in just a few years time the CBX-600UKD DAB+ and FM radio tuners (30 presets) will soon prove their worth. Naturally, there's also a 4-timer mode that will allow this system to function as the most sophisticated of alarm clocks.
A system as unique as this needs to sound as good as it looks so much effort has been put into ensuring high quality audio reproduction. Inside it, for instance, there are two full-range 8cm OMF (Onkyo Micro Fibre) speaker drivers, contained within wholly separated cabinets, to keep left/right channel audio output distinct and clear.
What's more, each speaker is powered from a physically separate power amplifier for improved sound quality, a technique that is rarely encountered in products of this sort.
Consumer feedback has shown that most users appreciate separate tone controls so the CBX-600UKD is fitted with bass and treble controls, adjustable in 11-steps for fine-tuning the sound.
For a more obvious change to lower frequencies there's a three-step Super Bass control which, in conjunction with Onkyo's Aero Acoustic port design, generates an unexpectedly solid and assured bass response (if you have a flatscreen TV with poor audio just hook it up to the CBX-600UKD via the Auxiliary input for an instant hike in sound quality).
With a well-laid out and clearly labelled remote control to finish off the package the CBX-600UKD makes a compelling case for itself in a crowded market. Its style, sound quality and versatility give it a truly unique appeal.
About Onkyo
Onkyo, which means 'sound harmony’ in Japanese, founded over 60 years ago, is one of the leading names in hi-fi and home cinema throughout the world.
The company's philosophy is to deliver products that are superbly designed and built to a consistently outstanding standard of excellence. Today, Onkyo is at the forefront of the home cinema and digital revolutions.
While many manufacturers are intent on building components at ever cheaper prices, Onkyo has a different vision. Their approach is to perfect the basics, leave out the frills, pay attention to details, and use only the finest parts.
The results can be seen in the obviously high quality of any Onkyo-manufactured product, even before it is turned on...[Ends]
