TEAC MC-DX220IDAB Review

It wasn’t so long ago that the voices of doom were predicting the demise of radio. Well ‘boo’ and ‘sucks’ to them, we say: radio is in rude health, so a DAB-oriented little hi-fi system such as this TEAC offering is very welcome.

 

But the MC-DX220IDAB does more than DAB. In fact, it plays CDs, has an iPod dock built-in, and even provides a sturdier bass response than most micros by having a subwoofer as well as a pair of stereo speakers.

NXT in line
You might think that a system comprising a main unit, two speakers and a subwoofer would take up too much room, but actually it gives you an advantage: the various ‘bits’ of the system can be distributed throughout the room.

 

The speakers can be wall-mounted – brackets are supplied – and with the sub hidden away out of sight the whole thing looks neat, discreet and petite.

 

The CD part of the unit is a stylish, vertical-loading design, and the stereo speakers are of the flat NXT variety – helping to keep the TEAC’s dimensions commendably trim.

Knockout punch
It sounds the business, too. The TEAC offers a punchy, faithful sound from CDs and digitised tunes, provided you haven’t overly compressed them. In general, detail and dynamics are good – if not quite as fabulous as magnificent micros like Yamaha’s M170.

 

The TEAC goes pretty loud as well, and will fill your room with sound. That said, the subwoofer does rather dominate with some overly chunky bass. But at least it avoids the treble harshness that’s so common in products of this type. In any case, you radio-heads will be pleased to learn it presents DAB broadcasts in a clean and enjoyable fashion.

 

We see many micro systems, but rarely does a product manage to combine so many features with style, performance and a wallet-friendly price-tag.