The FC70BT is a 2.1 speaker system featuring NFC as well as various DSP technologies to give high quality playback supported by an elegant remote control.
Product on Review: Microlab FC70BT
Manufacturer & Sponsor: Microlab
Street Price: £141-150
It was a little while ago now since we took a look at the great FC50 speaker system which showed us how awesome Microlab’s 2.1 systems can be. Consistently showing excellent value, innovation and performance we jumped at the chance to take a look at the latest in the FC Series. The FC70BT, as its name suggests, has wireless connectivity via Bluetooth and NFC connection. It also has a built in Amp with Digital Signal Processing (DSP) including Microlab’s own HC²D (High Clarity Close Distance) technology that provides a high quality audio experience regardless of how the speakers are arranged. The FC70BT has three audio channels, main, wireless and optical, which will allow for versatile multimedia use which can be controlled via the included remote.
The two satellites are powered by a 2.5″ tweeter each at 25W RMS power, while the massive 8″ subwoofer packs in an additional 55W RMS which should provide plenty of power for most home scenarios.
Overview by Microlab
About FC70 BT:
Incorporating latest Bluetooth® wireless technology, this 2.1 subwoofer system lets you connect to your mobile phone or media player without cables. Using A2DP profile, it streams stereo music wirelessly by connecting to any Bluetooth® wireless technology enabled products. It supports high resolution sound formats, AAC and aptX profiles.
Employing the latest proprietary HC2D(High Clarity Close Distance) sound technology, it creates very clear sound. No need to align your speakers to your listening position, with advanced Digital Signal Processor (DSP) to bring perfect clear sound to your ears.
Designed with beautiful finishes, this versatile home theater system fits perfectly in your AV room, living room, computer room or even your bedroom.
Incorporating latest Bluetooth® wireless technology, this 2.1 subwoofer system lets you connect to your mobile phone or media player without cables. Using A2DP profile, it streams stereo music wirelessly by connecting to any Bluetooth® wireless technology enabled products. It supports high resolution sound formats, AAC and aptX profiles.
Employing the latest proprietary HC2D(High Clarity Close Distance) sound technology, it creates very clear sound. No need to align your speakers to your listening position, with advanced Digital Signal Processor (DSP) to bring perfect clear sound to your ears.
Designed with beautiful finishes, this versatile home theater system fits perfectly in your AV room, living room, computer room or even your bedroom.
Technical Specifications
Amplifier
Output power: 105 Watt RMS
Power distribution: 25 Watt x 2 + 55Watt RMS
Harmonic distortion: < 0.5% 1 W 1 kHz
Frequency response: 40 Hz – 20 kHz
Signal/Noise ratio: > 80 dB
Separation: > 55 dB
Speakers
Tweeter driver type: 2.5″
Tweeter impedance: 16 Ohm
Woofer driver type: 8″
Woofer impedance: 4 Ohm
Interfaces
Output: 2RCA
Input: 2RCA, TOSLINK, Bluetooth® V4.0, A2DP
Dimensions
Subwoofer dimension: 254(W) x 307(H) x 377(D) mm
Satellite dimension : 56(W) x 87(H) x 179(D) mm
Product net weight: 8.8kg
Remote control dimension : 77(Dia) x 30.3 mm
Gift box dimension: 480(L) x 311(W) x 445(H)mm
Gift box gross weight: 10.1kg
Output power: 105 Watt RMS
Power distribution: 25 Watt x 2 + 55Watt RMS
Harmonic distortion: < 0.5% 1 W 1 kHz
Frequency response: 40 Hz – 20 kHz
Signal/Noise ratio: > 80 dB
Separation: > 55 dB
Speakers
Tweeter driver type: 2.5″
Tweeter impedance: 16 Ohm
Woofer driver type: 8″
Woofer impedance: 4 Ohm
Interfaces
Output: 2RCA
Input: 2RCA, TOSLINK, Bluetooth® V4.0, A2DP
Dimensions
Subwoofer dimension: 254(W) x 307(H) x 377(D) mm
Satellite dimension : 56(W) x 87(H) x 179(D) mm
Product net weight: 8.8kg
Remote control dimension : 77(Dia) x 30.3 mm
Gift box dimension: 480(L) x 311(W) x 445(H)mm
Gift box gross weight: 10.1kg
Packaging & Bundle
The packaging is clean and sleek with information about the product found at the sides. The box is larger than what most would expect to find a 2.1 speaker system in (nothing on the Corsair SP2500 mind) with a net weight of 11.1Kg.
The included bundle is impressive, coming with the choice of wall hangers and stands for the satellites, 2x AAA batteries for the remote, an optical cable, 2x RCA to 3.5mm jack cable and the manual. Apparently there are floor stands available separately.
The remote is static with touch control and is the NFC contact point. It is very glossy and looks great though may attract dust and fingerprints. There are functions to change audio channel, pair Bluetooth, skip back and forth, play/pause as well as power down controls. Overall the functions seem markedly improved over the remote included with the FC50.
The satellites nicely contrast the Subwoofer with black and silver two tone without being garish or overdesigned and should fit in with most environments.
Each satellite is fitted with high quality gold plated RCA connectors and high fidelity audio cable measuring at a comfortable 3.5m long.
Closer Look
The included subwoofer in its own right is huge! The face is a highly reflective glossy black, with a simple Microlab logo.
The driver is protected with by a removable facbric cover.
The 8″ woofer exposed.
At the back we get a load of I/O features and control buttons
For a huge driver a huge bass reflex port is needed.
Unlike the FC50, which you could only adjust the bass on the remote, the FC70BT has included various controls should the remote die, break or malfunction. This is a very wise move as now you have full control of the speaker system even without the remote, with the exception being NFC, which is only functional with the remote acting as the NFC location. So at the back of the sub woofer we find Volume and bass dials, input selection and Bluetooth pairing buttons, optical input, 2x RCA input, 2x RCA output and a power switch.
The complete speaker system, note how the front of the subwoofer is almost mirrorlike. Aesthetically the system looks pleasing, though dust and fingerprints will show easily on that glossy plastic.
The front Microlab logo acts as an indicator to which audio channel is in use. White for RCA input, blue for wireless input and orange for optical input.
Performance Testing
Setup, Design & Observations
Setting up a 2.1 speaker system is relatively simple compared to a 5.1/7.1 system and is made much easier to position when the cables are long enough for desired use. The FC50 satellites had relatively short cables which limited the positioning of the speakers and intended use, however the FC70BT has a much more generous length included on the satellites. At 3.5m, most people will be able to fit them into a desired location without much hassle. The NFC feature worked as it should, tapping a Samsung Galaxy S4 on the remote allowed to pair wirelessly in just a few seconds with the manual pairing being just as painless. The remote was surprisingly awesome, making life with this speaker system much more simpler with all the controls you need literally at hand. The downside to the remote was that sometimes the jump in volume seemed difficult to control as there was slight lag and there is no indication to what level you have set the bass to. Otherwise, the fact that it is touch controlled means that there are no moving parts, making the remote more robust and durable.
Multimedia
Playing music via the SoundCloud app via mobile was impressive, the speaker system reached very high levels of volume with excellent fidelity. The bass was truely magnificent, the subwoofer provides a thick flood of low tones that even with the bass level at its highest, simply sounded and felt good with the satellites that were doing their job in the mids and highs. Interestingly, the satellites didn’t sound isolated in their audio range with great sound coming from both the left and the right. The mid tones at times felt a little underpowered though depending on the source this can be adjusted.
Swapping over to our PC as the source, considering we use a discrete sound card, there was a noticeabe improvement in audio quality when compared to using the mobile device though this is to be expected in this situation. In our testing we found that watching movies, listening to music and playing games was fun and engrossing and the FC70BT could equally be used on a desktop, in the living room with your TV or games console or in a comination of such for those that do all.
Conclusion
The FC70BT cuts to it with clear mids and highs and clinically precise bass. The built in amp and digital signal processing (DSP) does a great job improving the audio signal from the source. Considering the wireless connectivity and the performance of this calibre, the price tag of £140-150 is wholly justifiable.
Microlab have continued to impress us here at Vortez and the differences between the FC50 and FC70BT really show that Microlab have the ability to take feedback onboard and create something quite special. The FC50 is a remarkable 2.1 speaker system in its own right (especially considering that it is now available for around £60) however there were some minor downsides such as the remote being intrinsic to the control of the system and the short cables. These issues are non-existant with the FC70BT. You can control all the features without the remote (should you need to), which now does exactly what a remote control should be doing, that is to make controlling the system that bit more convenient, while the cables on the satellites are long and easy to manage.
Other than a little lag issue with the remote which can sometimes cause a larger than expected difference in volume, the remote was surprisingly handy and is easy to use which makes it a great addition to the bundle. Overall the FC70BT is a marvellous product that seriously deserves your consideration if you are looking for a multimedia 2.1 speaker system.
The FC70BT is a versatile and intelligent speaker system which delivers a powerful and rich audio performance.
Pros.
+ NFC/Bluetooth + aptX, AAC and A2DP
+ HC²D – Integrated Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
+ Deep and precise bass from the sub woofer
+ Clear mids and highs from the satellites
+ Excellent bundle
+ Elegant wireless remote
Cons.
– None
+ NFC/Bluetooth + aptX, AAC and A2DP
+ HC²D – Integrated Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
+ Deep and precise bass from the sub woofer
+ Clear mids and highs from the satellites
+ Excellent bundle
+ Elegant wireless remote
Cons.
– None
Click here for an explanation of our awards at Vortez.net.
