12/15/2020
Because this particular machine fell into my hands again, recently, I need to do a more calm (you will see what I mean) reevaluation, and the rating remains at 3.5 stars, so I round it to 3, although I could round it to 4. The text is more important and you don't need to read all the other things I have written before.
When I bought the machine for 125 euros, i.e. more than 50% above its current price (around 80), when I set it up, I immediately tuned in radio stations and started listening to it from the radio.
The sound was completely disappointing, I struggled a lot with the settings without any result, it frustrated me and I couldn't find the calmness to listen to it properly from other audio sources (CD, USB) and evaluate it more accurately, so essentially I wrote about my experience mainly based on the sound from the radio, that's why I got rid of it briefly.
What is true in reality, for this (let me say it again) beautiful and well-made machine, is that:
- it sounds terrible from the radio (it's impossible for another micro to sound worse) and it distorts the music (you don't feel like opening it on the radio)
- it sounds fine from CD and USB for its current price, and not because it has exceptional tonality, wonderful tones, or very good, powerful, and extended highs (which should have been more and better), but because while it doesn't have anything really annoying or something that is noticeably missing, it has a clearly defined, distinct, textured, and tangible midrange with enough volume, which is its strong point. And it can also deliver aggression and energy. In other words, nothing really exceptional except for a well-defined and clear midrange (which, however, is very important in sound) and good bass for its size.
Therefore, for the sound from the radio, 1 star at best, for CD and USB, it probably deserves 4+ stars for its current price.
I have to clarify these things, so that someone knows that it's only worth buying it if they almost exclusively want it for CD and USB. If they want to listen to it from the tuner, they will be very disappointed and will stop listening to the radio. Maybe from another device via Bluetooth, one can listen to the radio decently, but even that is unacceptable in a micro system that you can't listen to with basic decency from its own tuner.
I rounded its rating to 3 stars instead of 4 purely because of the desperate sound from the radio, which is much worse than the boring and lifeless sound I initially wrote about, and practically takes away one of the main functions of the device.
Its volume, if we forget about the 20 watts in its specifications, is quite decent in my opinion, with a normal (i.e. reasonably loud) signal it is more than satisfactory, and with a strong signal it is definitely very good, and even better with surround on (which is mainly achieved through CD or USB, not the radio).
Also, the significant lack of mid-high frequencies and not too many highs help it from becoming harsh when you turn it up too much (unlike the HC400).
Finally, in this one you can save, apart from the preset equalizer settings, 3 of your own (sound1, sound2, sound3), just like its big brother the 400 (where, by the way, the radio plays wonderfully), but without the clear dialog and wall mount settings and also without an aux input.
A good machine that the sound of the radio almost "buries", but unfortunately that's how it is.
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11/5/20 - I clarify from the beginning, for the current price of 70-80 euros, rating 3.5 stars (someone would give it more), so I change the rating and categorization to its individual features.
The 2 stars were for when it cost around 125 euros, not for the current price, which has dropped a lot, so it could be bought instead of a portable one.
For this price (which clearly suits it more), I would probably give it 3.5 stars and say that it justifies its price to a great extent (mainly due to construction and functions), but not more than 3.5 stars, because unfortunately I cannot overlook its dull and boring sound (which hinders its evaluation and if it was better, I would compromise to some extent with its really limited volume) and thus, obviously, it is not interesting for me, even with the price drop.
It would be good if you could listen to it and then decide, since it is now much cheaper and you see it differently (price always plays a role).
Or if the treble and liveliness of the sound (which give interest and clarity to the music so that it does not become dull) mean nothing to you or do not matter that much to you, then you might like it (and it will probably appeal to many, tastes differ).
Just know that the vertical loading of the CD is not convenient and requires practice.
I, of course, do not recommend it, purely because of the sound and the volume, because as a machine it is beautiful and well-made, it exudes a quality, I have to say that, a quality that does not extend to the sound.
Moreover, when I bought it, much more expensive than it is now, I gave it as a gift to a friend, in essence I sent it away, I did not want to have it because I would not listen to it and it would be useless to me.
Although now that I think about it, instead of valerian pills, I could have had this to help me fall asleep more easily at night. I apologize to Panasonic but I couldn't resist writing that.
Anyway, to explain myself and not be misunderstood, the machine is very likable, beautiful, well-made and of good quality as a construction, its price (70-80 euros) is now very competitive, and that's exactly why you feel disappointed because it doesn't play as it deserves. In other words, I almost wanted to have it, to look at it, to deal with it, to handle it, but unfortunately not to listen to it. What a shame.
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4/6/19 - SUMMARY
Unexpectedly disappointing product from Panasonic. Style, construction, functions, all fine. Sound and volume, a disappointment. It probably doesn't even deserve the 2 stars I gave it.
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Although I am a bit tired of writing very extensive reviews as I usually do, I have to write a few words so that you can understand what to expect from this micro hi-fi system.
First of all, it is quite small, quite lightweight, and beautiful, and it is a convenient piece. It is quite narrow (its thickness increases towards the center) and therefore does not provide much space for the speakers to perform well.
Its sound is quite typical Panasonic up to a point (see reviews for micro SC-PM250 and radio RF-2400), it is not annoying or tiring, meaning it is ear-friendly. It is generally well-shaped and clear, with a balanced mid-range and a bassy sound (in terms of style, not necessarily having great bass, but without any particular issue in this regard), but it needs more lively trebles (and mid-high frequencies, one might say) for a more vibrant sound.
The high frequencies are underwhelming, regardless of what you do, and the comparison with the SC-PM250 clearly favors the latter. The SC-PM250 has much more liveliness, even though it does not have a lively sound itself.
I would say that the sound of the SC-HC200 tends to be boring, meaning excessively relaxed and inoffensive (and dull, one might say). If that is what some people are looking for, okay, but objectively, it is not right, and it does not allow you to achieve a more lively sound.
The various equalizer settings have much less impact than in the SC-PM250, and you cannot liven up the sound at all. You have to accept this musical character.
The surround mode, which is generally not used for music, may be desired by someone in a desperate attempt to add more liveliness.
The 20 watts are not very audible, probably due to the not-so-efficient speakers. If the signal happens to be quite low (really low, which is very rare), there will be a serious problem with the volume (which is already an issue), as there is no reserve to handle such difficult situations. Here too, the comparison with the SC-PM250 (which also has 20 W) does not favor the SC-HC200 at all, and the difference is quite noticeable.
Something strange that I felt from the beginning (and I need to verify it, because it was just a first impression, but for it to strike me immediately, it probably has some basis) is that, contrary to what we are used to, the radio does not play much louder than the other audio sources, as if the device lowers the signal to match the volume of the other sources.
To sum up, the reception of the receiver is very good, all its functions are correct (and the Bluetooth is excellent), the overall appearance of the machine is very good, but it desperately needs more volume and liveliness.
It is very difficult (if not impossible) for me to approve the purchase of this product, because it is an attempt that remains unfinished in terms of sound and the management of its 20 watts of power.
Finally, with one less star, the matter is settled, because the more I deal with this machine, the more I realize that it is not worth not only its price, but not even much less. Problematic sound volume, not for the claimed 20 watts, nor even for 9-10, and a muted and indifferent sound (and quite flat, superficial, colorless, and lifeless). The mid-high and high frequencies are sought but not found. Unexpectedly disappointing product from Panasonic. It is a shame considering the design and the good feeling as a construction and functionality. It costs a lot, but delivers very little. Avoid it, buy something cheaper and better.
S.D.