Philips FWC577 5-CD Mini Stereo System

by Philips

Product Details

Product Manual [6.44mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 47 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00008Y1AF
• Item model number: FWC577
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #188,442 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Philips designed the FWC577 with gamers and computer users in mind, equipping the mini stereo system with a game port (for direct connection to consoles) and a USB PC link (for streaming MP3 content). The result is a system that delivers thrilling, explosive sound whether you're using it to immerse yourself in the Halo universe or listen to the latest White Stripes CD. The system even offers a game sound mode, so you can choose which sound setting best fits the title you're playing--i.e., Blast, for shooting games; Punch, for fighting games; and Speed, for driving and flying games. The game mix function adds the additional benefit of letting you design a soundtrack to your favorite game using CDs, the radio, or MP3s.

The 330-watt system isn't for gamers only, however. It also includes a five-disc CD changer compatible with CD, CD-R, and CD-RW formats, a digital AM/FM tuner with 40 presets and an auto-store facility, and a three-way bass reflex speaker system. The CD player is programmable with up to 40 tracks, and includes such features as repeat and shuffle. The audio is augmented by the system's Max technology, which boosts the bass, maximizes the volume performance, and enhances the overall listening experience with the touch of a single button. Other audio bonuses include Virtual Ambience Control, which mimics the acoustic effects of your favorite performance setting, such as a cinema, hall, or concert environment, and Digital Sound Control, which lets you choose among several optimized settings for specific musical styles, such as jazz, pop, and rock.

When linked to your PC, the FWC577 uses its bundled MusicMatch software to act as a jukebox, and lets you navigate (via your remote control) to play, pause, stop, and skip tracks without sitting down at your computer. The stereo even displays the song title and track time. To use the software, your PC must be running Windows 98, Me, 2000, or XP on an Intel MMX 200 MHz or faster processor, and you need 15 MB free hard disk space for the software installation. The stereo is bundled with a USB cable and PC link installer disc.

The amplifier delivers 165 watts to each of the two main speakers, which feature 6-1/2-inch woofers, 2-inch Ferro Fluid tweeters, and 1-inch Polydome piezos. The speakers also include six Max bass ports, along with detachable grilles.

Other features include a dim mode, a clock with separate alarm and sleep timers, a 32-key remote control, a demo mode, plug-and-play functionality, and an interactive dashboard display. The FWC577 can connect to a variety of other devices via its audio analog inputs (auxiliary and game port), video input and output (composite cinch), and 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack, in addition to the digital audio input (USB link). The system carries a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost a decade and still kicking strong, August 28, 2010

By 

R. Esparza - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Philips FWC577 5-CD Mini Stereo System (Electronics)

A while back I was roaming the shelves and the many stores in my area looking for a Great System at a low price. I ended up choosing this one although I didn't have the money at the time it gave me something to save up for while working and going to high school. Unbeknownst to me my parents were paying very close attention and got this system for me for Christmas.

I should note that I am not an audiophile and require the best for music or whatever, as long it sounds good and works ok I am happy.

Now I've recently hooked up my system to a USB hub, along with a M$ Multimedia Keyboard and Logitech Marble Mouse, to hook up to my ASUS N81VP Laptop that is running Windows 7. I have noticed a couple of hiccups where the sound will sound distorted for short periods of time. I am thinking that this is a pc driver issue and not necessarily the Hi-Fi systems fault. But this particular has popped up in a while mostly due to, I think, a lighter work load on my laptop with just listening to music and light multitasking. When I play a game, I.E. Roller Coaster Tycoon, I'll notice the same distortion creep up after some time while in the game, say an hour or two.

*edit*
The distortion I mentioned wasn't coming from the system. The mp3s that I ripped from cds that I had had somehow become degraded over 4 years being transferred from one computer to another over 3 computers. Re ripped the songs and updated my library and everything sounds great. Understatement of the century, sounds pretty good as pc speakers lol.

As stated in a earlier review I too noticed the rattling of the screens in front of the woofers and determined that I should just take them off. However if you prefer the look of the safety screens or need them you can pull them out slightly so that the screen is still attached but doesn't rattle against the housing.

Sound quality is good although I haven't gone out to listen to any of the new modern systems but at the same time I don't really care as this system is good enough for me. It's load, clean, and does everything that I want a Hi-Fi system to do. The simplfied EQ system is quite easy to expect more than is given. Also if you don't read the instructions like most people do it came be quite frustrating for some.

The DBB controls are independent of DSC and VAC and DBB has 4 levels of bass, off 1, 2, and 3 being the loudest.

DSC has presets for Rock, Jazz, Pop, and a forth setting called Optimal. Not sure if optimal is self adjusting or is set but if you listen to a wide variety of music like me it is the best setting to have. Rock has slightly more bass and is closer to Max Sound in loudness. Jazz is softer and has less bass which brings out the higher notes while pop seems to be just all bass with little treble.

VAC has presets to give it a certain sound as if in a different location other than your room. You will also have to choose between either VSC of DAC as a choice of one will override the other. There are 5 presets, Concert, Cyber, Arcade, Hall, Cinema. The easiest way that I can describe is how muffled each sounds starting from Cinema which seems to be the most to concert, arcade, cyber, and Hall being the clearest. Ultimately I think that this is a wasted feature for a system in a bedroom but there might be some benefit if you were to use these presets at the different locations.

I like the fact that it has a sound mixer and 2 seperate inputs for game systems or other RCA(Yellow, Red, White) cable type devices and a auxilary back just for audio. The Aux can be used to hook up your ipod, zune, other mp3 player or audio device as long as you have a cable that has the RCA ends. The gameport has three seperate sound settings that is indpendent of DBB, VSC, VAC, and Max Sound. The gameport is also the only one that can be mixed with either radio, cd, aux, or usb.

Even after X amount of years I still like the overall design of the speakers and the system itself with the lights and gauges. Although now I kinda wish the system Head unit was a little bit smaller and a little more modular so I could fit it on my computer desk or shelf without it looking somewhat out of place. But that is pretty much my only gripe, except for the distortion which hasn't happened again for a good long while.

Overall a great system that isn't available new anymore in stores.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This stereo is awesome!, February 9, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Philips FWC577 5-CD Mini Stereo System (Electronics)

This stereo has awesome sound and withe that MAX dynamic boost button makes it sound alot better. It is one of the best stereos i have owned.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Price Anywere, December 1, 2003

By 

Good Guy "The Good Guy" (Coulumbus) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philips FWC577 5-CD Mini Stereo System (Electronics)

I looked evrywere for this stereo and sams club has this same stereo for 169.95 and it amzes me that it could get cheaper.