The Hindu Business Line : Philips unveils new range of compact music systems

Mr Suresh Sukumaran (left), Director-Marketing, Consumer Electronics, Philips Electronics India Ltd, and Mr Nabendu Ray, General Manager - South, Consumer Electronics, at a press conference in Chennai on Friday. — Bijoy Ghosh

Chennai , Dec. 23

SIZE does matter - the smaller the better, at least as far as music systems are concerned, says Philips Electronics.

That explains the growing popularity of the minis and micros among music systems, says Mr Suresh Sukumaran, Director - Marketing, Televisions, Consumer Electronics, Philips.

Philips's shift in focus from the Powerhouse range of music systems of the 1990s - when big was better - to the compacts is in line with its new brand promise, which is: sense and simplicity.

Houses are giving way to apartments. Also, there are more gadgets in the market for people to buy so space is at a premium.

Music systems are evolving to occupy less space, look better and deliver high fidelity sound - they are now lifestyle products. The micros and the minis have grown to dominate more than 50 per cent of the audio systems market, he says.

So Philips, which prides itself on leadership in this segment - one out of three buyers goes for a Philip music system, according to Mr Sukumaran - is launching a whole new range.

It covers the three major segments - the VCD system, DVD and Microsystems, in which Philips has a 50 per cent market share.

A small system has to be high tech, simple and trendy and offer high fidelity sound. This season, Philips's range starts from the wall mountable MCM 240, with 400W PMPO output for Rs 5,999, that is as flat as a plasma or LCD screen and goes on up to the 3,300 W PMPO unit - "something which will let your neighbours know you have a new music system," he said.

As an added attraction Philips has tied up with WorldSpace, the satellite radio service provider, to offer WorldSpace connection with three months subscription free on a select range Philips music system products.

The offer is valid in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad till December 31, 2005, for those buying the DVD mini hi-fi systems, FWD790, FWD576 and the FWD796.

The prices of these products range between Rs 20,000 and Rs 26,000, he said.

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