Arcam Solo Movie 2.1
15 JAN 2008
Launch price
£1,450.00
Stuff says
All the quality of Arcam's 5.1 Solo player, for £500 less. Just don't decide you need surround sound after all...
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Are you a decisive person? Once you've made up your mind, do you stick to it? If not, you may want to ignore the Solo Movie 2.1, because it's not a flexible product.
The decision boils down to this: if you're quite happy with a two-speaker setup but can't rule out a sudden lust for surround sound, keep your credit card in your pocket. But if you're absolutely certain you'll never want to go 5.1 or higher, this one-box home cinema will get outstanding performance from your pair of speakers.
Lots in the box
The Solo Movie 2.1 incorporates a 1080i upscaling DVD drive, amplification for two speakers with a pre-out for a sub-woofer, DAB/FM tuner and CD playback too. There are analogue and digital audio inputs and outputs, a pair of HDMI inputs and one output, and pre-outs for a pair of active speakers or a power amp.
In short, this machine is ready and willing to form the heart of an all-digital, expansive system.
What there is not is any provision for configuration to full 5.1 sound. If you want that, the £2,000 Solo Movie 5.1 waiting for your call.
Colours, colours, everywhere
Upscaling to 1080i, the Arcam delivers lustrous, vivid images and deals with bold tones well. Contrasts are handled effortlessly, picture noise is repressed in all but the most complex scenes, and motion is tracked effectively. Our only complaint would be some slightly soft edges.