EPSON EF-100 - Petit In Size, Grande In Picture

When it comes to enjoying a good movie at home, nothing beats the feeling to watch it on a huge screen which most of the time is only achievable using a projector. One of the main challenges that a common household face is to have a dedicated room or area big enough to set up a projector. Not only you need a decent size screen but also ample space to install those bulky projector.

The EPSON EF-100 might just be the answer to this issue. Launched on 27th August 2019 in Malaysia, this projectors weighs at just 2.7 KG and at 23 cm on its longest edge, this projector is ideal for any space constraint home. Don't be fooled by its petit size though. It can easily project up to 150" screen size on Wide mode (111" on Tele mode).

This model is equipped with 3LCD technology that displays 100% of the RGB color signal of every frame. What does this mean? It basically provides better color accuracy without compromising on brightness (2000 lumens of colour/white brightness). With this, the projected image is detailed, vibrant, lively and definitely minimizes any jittery images.

THE BUILT

For a small unit like this, I was expecting the built to be cheap and flimsy. I was wrong indeed. EPSON did not deprive its consumers of any substandard materials. The ergonomics of the chassis was well thought off with the option to lay it flat to project forward or to project upwards to the ceiling though its 360 deg projection technology. All the connection ports are well hidden under a fabric mesh like cover which can be sturdily locked in. The front fascia is simple with just the lens and ventilation fins. The connectivity ports are also well fitted although I would prefer an option to extend the USB cable out. This is truly a non intrusive projector and with the choice of 2 colours, Classy White or Tailored Black, it can easily blend in any modern home deco nowadays.

It comes with small remote with a simple lay out to ease the usage. It is adequately sized for consumers to easily browse through the settings of the projector and also control the built in 5W monaurel speakers volume.

THE CONNECTIVITY

The unit offers simple connectivity options:

1. HDMI x 1
2. Stereo mini out x 1
3. USB Type A x 1 (for 2A power supply, firmware update and Copy OSD settings)
4. USB Type B x 1 (for firmware update and copy OSD settings)
5. There is also Bluetooth connection that supports external speakers
6. There is also an option for wireless connectivity to stream movies with its built in Android TV function

THE SESSION

Most reviewers will choose movies that are known to be good in projecting the vibrant colours and also the ones that were highly mastered and processed to meet the highest quality of image projection. Very rare that these movies will fail to mesmerize viewers once played on a decent projector. Now, for me I used 2 different movies that are not known to be as a masterpiece production.

First up is The Brothers Grimsby.  This movie was on 1080P BluRay quality. I chose this movie because of its bright settings throughout the movie. I wanted to see how it fairs in a dark and bright room settings.

 

In a brighter setting, I find that the image was natural with a decent projection of colour definition. However, compared to a darker viewing environment, I find that the image is more defined and engaging. Livelier and more vibrant images with a well defined colour tones. In this scene, I could see that the skin colour of Sacha is more defined in the darker setting. Even the hair colour of the surrounding people look were projected in a more variable tones compare to the brighter setting. 

In another scene, the blood stream has more colour intensity when the projector is running in a darker room. The red colour of the blood stream looks more convincing compared to when used in a brighter room.

Another example here is how the face and hair colour of Penelope Cruz looks more natural, lively and convincing in the darker setting. This is where I believe the 3LCD technology really plays its part. The colour vibrancy can be easily experience without loosing any brightness intensity even though you watch this in a dark environment.

The second movie I watched was The Woman in Black. This movie is a very dark movie where most of the settings on this movie was filmed in a dark settings.

The scene at the beach here looks livelier and natural thanks to the 3LCD technology that the EPSON EF-100 has. The sand contour also looks more defined when watched in a darker setting. It does not loose the brightness even though this is a dark scene. I have experienced with other projectors that fails to project a dark scene with the right colour variation of the objects in that scene. With this projector, somehow I can still sense some variation in this dark scene.

THE CONCLUSION

At RM 3,999, this is actually a steal for those movie buffs that are looking into a more cinematic experience at home. Provided you have an empty wall area or ceiling, this is a much more worthwhile investment compare to a normal LCD/LED TV. It is small enough not to be intrusive to your living area but at the same time provide a very vivid and vibrant images straight out of the box (I did not do any calibration). With the wireless streaming connectivity, its an added bonus as you can also stream online platforms like Netflix, Youtube etc. The EPSON EF-100 would be a great add on to your existing home theater without creating a big hole in our pocket. If there was a one downside of this unit is mainly on the audio side. The 5W speakers is nothing to shout about. In fact, it can sometime sound very highly distorted. Best to connect the sound to an external speakers either via BT or wired.

This unit is also suitable for the less techy consumers as it is so easy to set it up. No messing around with jargons or features that you are not familiar with. Its close enough to be defined as Plug N Play.

For a more detail info on specs, click here

Oopiib Sings Impression 2 - Live Recording in Bangkok

When Auu of Impression Sound Studio posted on FB that this album will be on sale, I immediately pre ordered one. As Kusuma and her were heading this way, I managed to get a hold of this CD sometime in February.

Based on my previous experience buying LPs or CDs from Aau during KLIAV, the sound quality of the recordings is something that you look forward too. I dont speak Thai apart from Khub khun karb but listening to ISS production is a must. 

There are 10 tracks on this album and all of them were recorded live in Studio 28, Bangkok.  I have been listening to CD for over a month now and I must say, it does not matter that I dont understand Thai. What matters is that I felt really engaged and entertained. My favourite track on this album is track 7. You might want to guess why? I particularly like the sound of the percussion on this track. The snare, brush stick, toms sounded full eventhough it was played at a lower volume. Besides the drum, the piano also sounded really melodic . Oopiib vocal really mesmerizing. The recording really focused on ensuring her vocal comes out clearly but at the same time full of energy to deliver  that emotion across. 

String instrument is a bit on a mellow side but wind instrument makes up for it. It really sounded huge and airy but at the same time it is mesmerizing. Never once Oopibb vocal fail to surface despite of the multiple musical instrument used for this recording.

On the highs, her vocal can sound pinchy at times but still sweet enough to forget about that. With the multiple layers of instrument properly staged during my session, even at low volume, the presentation from this album was still lively. The energy dispersion just envelopes me. It is so engaging that I didnt even realise  that its already on the 10th track.

Listening to this CD made me realised that there are a lot to learn to properly record a live session. But doing it right will give listener a full satisfaction. I wonder how it will sound if this was recorded in a high resolution format or LP.

I would like to say thank you to Auu and Kusuma for bringing the CD to KL. Now I await for an LP version of this live recording.

XTARK IA10 - Solid, Bold and Huge Sounding

More and more local products started to surface in the past few years. As far as I can recall, I have reviewed speakers, cables, pre amps, power amps, streamer, and headphone amps. This will be the first integrated amp with a Malaysian touch that I had the pleasure to review. First of all, a big thanks to Matthew Ong of AFC Top HiFi for sending this unit over.

THE BUILT, INS AND OUTS, SPECIFICATION

Sturdily built and beautifully finished aluminium chassis with a simple front fascia. The front is equipped with a small screen to show the volume step. There are 2 knobs, one for input selector and one for digital volume. The volume knob also act as a mute knob by pressing it in. The power button is also located here.

The unit is relatively heavy compared for its size. I would say about 6 to 7 kg.

On the rear, the unit offers 4 RCA inputs and a 2 sets of RCA outputs (I believe there is a plan for XTARK to introduce power amps as well). The speaker terminals accepts standard banana plugs. 

The remote is something special. Reminds me of a Bryston remote. Metal remote with minimal buttons for volume, input selector and mute. Even battery compartment is locked in with screws.

The IA10 amp is a 100 watter per channel amp at 8 ohms, 200 watts at 4 ohms and 300 watts at 2 ohms. THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) is at 0.005% and the response frequency goes from 20 Hz to 35 kHz (-0.5dB)

THE SETUP

The amp is hooked up to SONY HAP Z1ES, Kronos Sparta via Absolare Phono stage and the PMC Twenty5.24 speakers.

THE SESSION

On the digital side, playing Tak Seindah Wajah by the late Dato S.M. Salim from my SONY HAP Z1 ES, I was extremely surprised by how huge the sound stage have transformed in my set up. Clarity of vocal seems to be the main strength in this first impression session. Its not just clear but the amp injects the energy to reproduce his sweet and emotional vocal.  With regards to the low frequency, the amp does not fall short in providing very well defined bass. The PMC Twenty5.24 was giving out an immersive bass experience driven by this amp. The highs can be of a concern as at times, it can sound a little bit harsh. The huge sound stage is also one the amp's strong point. I initially thought that this was a hybrid amp i.e. having both tube and solid state characteristics.  But nope. This huge sound stage was coming from an AB amp.

On the analog side of things, this track Samba de Menino by Michael Blicher, Dan Hemmer, Steve Gadd is a testament of what this amp can deliver . The percussion on this track was presented in a very engaging manner. The bass drum was hard hitting and so were the toms. The snare was dispersed and hi hat was splashy to give that huge staging impact. This one really got me going as my feet was moving to the beat of this track. The part that impressed me most was the fact that the amp can still produced such a controlled and grip on the bass but at the same time maintained that huge sound stage that painted a real lively listening ambiance.  

THE VERDICT

At RM4680, I would place this amp as a very decent start up hifi category. Minimalist but with a very high grade build and also a decent specs. In this price range, consumers are spoiled with various options from Marantz, Arcam, Musical Fidelity, Rega etc. However, this XTARK IA10 can give you the spacious sound if that is what you prefer in your listening session. It does  give a little bit harshness in the highs but given the overall presentation, the clarity from the vocals and controlled bass delivery compensate a lot to this minor setback. Give it a go and demo it. AFC Top HiFi is located at Bandar Kinrara 5.