Lenco SCDI-01 iPod Music System

There are docks and there are complete music systems - the latter is for those who still listen to CDs and enjoy tunes from the radio. Mostly the market is filled with very iPod centric systems, that mainly play your Apple device, and also “offer capabilities of playing audio from other sources” like maybe a Creative Zen or a Philips GoGear. Today we are looking at an all in one boombox that acts as the benevolent and just parent, without having the favorite child in the avatar of the iPod dock, rather it gives equal provision and attention for all sources of music. Lenco’s SCDI-01 is the quintessential boombox that plays everything, so let’s check it out.

Design
Remember the film  “The Fly”? If not take any dead fly and look at it under an electron microscope , magnify the head to about 10000 times, and the image you get will resemble the perspective view of this system. The stereo speakers bulge out like insect retinas, while the black exoskeleton and blood red borders for speakers makes it look like the hard skin of the Diptera species. Keeping my acute taxonomy knowledge aside, the product overall looks like it will suit the youth more than a mature user. It’s still impressive on its own.

The player supports CDs via its top loading station. Right below it is the Dock for your iPod. As usual different plastic moulds for different iPod models are provided, which fit into the dock and hold your device steady. There is an alarm function that works with CD, radio or the iPod, and also an alphanumeric LED screen which lights up in blue. Just below the screen is the slot for a memory card and a USB input. Last but not least there is Aux in and also line in for external audio sources. In my opinion these are substantial plus points for the system. I like it when the customer has choices. The max output is 4 watts RMS. There are 2 drivers measuring 2.3 inches each. For its portable use, it needs 8 C sized batteries.

Performance
For a change, this time we started off with loading tracks on an SD card and sliding it in. Then came CDs and the iPod. We heard MP3s and CD audio ranging from AR Rahman to some DnB by Alix Perez. Frequency response wise we have a weakfish bass response, but that was warranted as I don’t see any large drivers or ports anywhere. The sound was thick in the middle and was very forward sounding which is OK for modern Pop and Hindi stuff. The highs are really out there, and due to that some tracks the treble sound overloaded, especially badly mastered music.

The loudness was impressive. It has a clean output, with very little or no distortion at max level. It depends how you scrutinize. This is one good point, as a system like this might be used at a small get together or outing - volume is needed there. We unplugged the AC power and slid in the batteries. The player lasted for about 3.5 hours with an iPod connected. This is not bad, but we’ve seen some docks last longer.

Conclusion
At a price of MOP Rs. 5000 and MRP Rs. 5500, this product is reasonable in price, as it has a good set of input options, and also a satisfactory sound, at least for someone willing to forgo the low end bass. It looks wicked and can easily be taken for treks and picnics - it's loud enough for that. Just the frequency response overall is not anywhere near pristine. Product sourced from Innovations, Parel, Mumbai.