Panasonic SC-PM03 Executive Microsystem

Panasonic SC-PM03 Executive Microsystem Review

Panasonic SC-PM03 Executive Microsystem Feature

• CD player with MASH 1-bit digital-to-analog converters
• Digital synthesizer tuner with 24-preset memory tuning
• Multifunction remote control
• 2-way speakers with acoustic lens
• High-quality design with metallic finish and blue LCD screen

Compact size, sophisticated design, and solid performance are standard with Panasonic's SC-PM03 executive micro system. The small footprint and great sound together bring you a system that enlivens any home office, bedroom, or kitchen.

The motorized tabletop CD drawer simplifies disc loading. You can adjust bass and treble from the remote to get just the right sound from your listening position. The soft-blue LCD screen blends with any decor, and clearly displays the time and important disc and station information, even in low light.

The system's two-way speakers are honed by an acoustic lens, a carefully shaped front panel designed to deliver expansive, natural sound across your listening area.

The digital AM/FM stereo tuner digitally processes FM and AM radio broadcasts, locking in on the signal to avoid drift and reduce distortion. The tuner also fosters simple storage of 24 station frequencies (12 FM, 12 AM) in convenient presets.

Last, but not least, the play timer will start playing a preselected source at a time of your choosing. A sleep timer automatically turns off the power after a preset time period so you can drift off to sleep to the strains of your favorite music. Micro-systems, which are just slightly smaller than mini-systems, are basically the smallest stereo systems you can buy. Panasonic's SC-PM03 is the less expensive of the two micro-systems in its lineup. The two music sources are a CD player and a digital AM/FM tuner. Like most micros, the SC-PM03 has a single-play, rather than multiple-disc, CD player. The digital tuner has 12 FM and 12 AM station presets, for a total of 24.The speakers are the real surprise. The cabinets, rather than the typical plastic seen in micros, are particle board, and have a faux-oak finish. Panasonic's Super Woofer system, with a biamp design, consists of a separate amplifier for the woofer and tweeter in each speaker. There's also an "acoustic lens" on the tweeter, a feature borrowed from professional public-address systems that optimizes the way the tweeter disperses sound. The company couples this system with the Sound Virtualizer, which is a digital signal processor (DSP) that is intended to widen the soundstage. Other nice features of this system include play and sleep timers, bass and treble controls, a dimmer for the blue LCD display, and a remote control.