CNET editors' review
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CNET editors' rating:
stars
Good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 05/27/2005
- Released on: 01/06/2005
Measuring 2.3 by 2.1 by 7.1 inches and weighing 12.3 ounces, the Philips ShoqBox is too big to carry around like a traditional MP3 player, though setting it on your shoulder might draw a few chuckles. The Source button allows you to pick from your music library, the FM radio, or a line-in source. Lifting the door on the back of the unit reveals USB, line-in, headphone, and external power inputs. The ShoqBox feels sturdy and well built, and the silver buttons are solid and responsive. The white-backlit screen is easy to read and features enough contrast to view in bright, sunny environments. The screen displays info for the current song, the EQ setting, and the name of the next song in the list. To encourage use on the go, Philips includes a travel case in the package.
As for playback controls, the ShoqBox offers what you'd expect from a basic MP3 player. In MP3 mode, you have menu options for shuffle/repeat, a sleep timer, an alarm clock, basic system settings, and EQ. While a song is playing, you can press the left navigation button to view your music library by playlist, artist, album, and so on. You can establish key shortcuts to toggle through EQ settings, shuffle/repeat modes, or additional song information. The ShoqBox uses Musicmatch Jukebox, included on the installation disc, to transfer songs, which means it syncs easily with playlists created in the app. The player handles DRM-protected WMA files purchased from Musicmatch and Napster without a hitch. Unfortunately, the device stores only 256MB worth of tracks (about 64 MP3s), and there is no expansion slot. The ShoqBox would be much more attractive with 1GB of storage.
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Where to buy
Philips ShoqBox PSS110 Personal Surround System:
$127.99
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$127.99 | See Site |
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