Sony - MHC-M20 High-Power Audio System - Black
Model: MHCM20
SKU: 6292085
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Customers are enthusiastic about the MHC-M20 High-Power Audio System's sound quality, Bluetooth connectivity, and ease of use. Many appreciate its compact size and the inclusion of a CD player, a feature less common in modern systems. While some found the equalizer settings confusing and desired a stronger bass response, the overall reception is positive. The karaoke function also received favorable feedback.
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In the age of many home stereo systems this Sony seems to do what many lack. 1. It has a good FM radio No am 2. Awesome Sony music center app to play DJ with if you want. 3. CD player which is rare to see in the age of USB and Bluetooth. 4. The USB allows you to record directly to it. I will admit I didn't try this out but played my USB jump drive 64 gb size. Worked just fine. Now for the sound fields. They are nice but some are gimmicks . You can get more enjoyment from the music from the regular sound fields Jazz Pop etc. Overall the volume level gets loud where I have it setup. It does give the option to have a karaoke mode. You need a mic to use that function which is not included. If you want the a good overall sound that Sony is know for then give this is chance. It has the old school shelf system look with all the new features tucked in and very user friendly. Also they have a party mode that you can link their over products for much more sound with additional speaker products!
Posted by royale192
First impressions say a lot. In the case of the Sony MHC-M20, a lot of what is said is not great. Upon initial unboxing, the main unit and the speakers are much bigger than what I was anticipating. They also are very light weight and generally unimpressive. Granted, this is at a fairly low price-point, but the tactile feedback of the controls and their design are what you’d expect on a $49 unit. The speaker wiring is permanently connected at the speaker end and the end that plugs into the head unit have some sort of little non-standard, plastic push-in connector. Given the overall presentation, this product appears to be aimed at 12-year-olds rather than adults. A lot of Sony products have run through my household in the past few decades and virtually all of them have been a “hit” until now. Given the (supposed) target audience, the inclusion of Bluetooth connectivity is understandable, but a CD player? While I still buy CDs, I doubt the aforementioned 12-year-olds probably don’t even own a CD and I expect more than a few don’t even know what one is…oh yeah, something they see at granddad’s house. To cut to the chase (at least for those interested in sound quality), this system is below average at best, with not much for highs (cymbals seem almost non-existent), no deep bass (understandable given the “woofer” size), and what is in between is generally “muddy” sounding regardless of what I was using for an audio source. The Mega Bass feature just seemed to compound the issues, at least for me. The “DJ Effect” has three different components; “Flanger”, “Isolation”, and “Sampler”. “Flanger” is described in the user manual as “Creates a deep flanging effect that is similar to the roar of a jet plane”. I found that it just messed up the sound and created drop outs in various frequency ranges and I could not figure out the desirability of this special effect. I also read the Wikipedia entry on this audio effect, and I understand it, but I don’t see it working with the type of music I listen to - maybe different source material would provide a better representation. “Isolation” makes it so you can isolate a variety of different frequencies via the main volume/DJ effect knob once you have engaged this feature. It works quite well for what it does. The “Sampler” effect has two different groupings of special effect “noises”, or “samples” that can be added at will to the currently playing audio track or just on their own - a total of eight different sampler sounds. There is a “Football” sound mode that works only when another audio source (such as a TV) is connected to the M20. The idea is to “experience the feeling of being in the stadium when watching a football match broadcast”. I’m sorry to report that I did not test this feature as I have no interest in football and I can’t imagine anyone using this system in place of even the most rudimentary sound bar that they probably already have in place with their television. Pairing to my iPhone was seamless, and the ability of the electronics to “remove” vocals from music to use the system for karaoke works remarkably well. But even though the unit has an input for a microphone none is included. There are two smartphone apps to accompany this music system, called “Sony Music Center” and “Fiestable”. These apps allow you to control the DJ special effects in more ways than using the amplifier’s front-panel controls or using the supplied remote control. The apps were free, installed without issue and worked well. Some of the functions can be controlled by making various motions with your phone rather than using the touchscreen. Again, this functionality worked as intended and appears to be targeted to a specific age group of users that is more interested in gimmicks and having fun as opposed to serious listening of music. The system also allows you to chain together other Sony Bluetooth speakers that are Wireless Party Chain compatible. Since I have none of these devices, I am unable to comment on this feature. The Sony MCH-M20 is a three-piece home audio system that is designed for times when the user wants to share music and special effects with a group of people rather than listening to content on earbuds. I see this system being used at pre-teen birthday parties and slumber parties and not being used by mom and dad. If you are a serious music hobbyist, this might be a way to introduce young household members to your pastime with just enough new tech and gimmicks to hold their interest while hopefully establishing their own passion for music and the artists in the same way we older adults have. My recommending this audio system is conditional based on the ultimate end-user and their expectations from the system.
Posted by pillboy
It’s awesome!! I’ve had it a year now.. I love it!!
Posted by Britlee