Technics SC-CX700 Review: Faithful Musical Reproduction

The primary speaker features a few physical controls across its top surface, but greater control is available via an unglamorous remote control handset. There’s also the Technics Audio Center control app that’s free for iOS and Android. It takes the concept of “unglamorous” to previously unimagined places, but it’s a stable and useful enough interface. No, it’s not the swiftest in operation, and no, it’s no one’s idea of a visual treat—but if you want to integrate your favorite music streaming service (as long as it’s Amazon Music, Deezer, Qobuz, Spotify, or TIDAL), check on firmware updates, run the Space Tune room-correction routine, access bass and treble controls and so on, it’s got everything you need.

Depending on how your digital content comes aboard, resolution of up to 32 bit/384 kHz PCM and DSD 256 is supported. If you make a wireless connection between the speakers, everything is scaled to 24 bit/96 kHz, but with a wired connection and 24 bit/192 kHz is available. Ethernet or Wi-Fi connectivity means that internet radio is catered for, as are Apple AirPlay and Google Cast, and the SC-CX700 will be Roon Ready soon, via an upcoming over-the-air update.

Easy Listening

Once you’ve tuned the SC-CX700 to your space, arranged the home page of the control app to your satisfaction, and have started to listen in earnest, there’s plenty to admire and enjoy in the way this Technics system sounds. There’s nothing ostentatious or in any way in-your-face about the sound, but in its own way, the SC-CX700’s are a compelling listen.

That’s the case no matter whether you’re playing a heavyweight vinyl reissue of “Les Stances a Sophie,” by Art Ensemble of Chicago, streaming a 24-bit/96-kHz FLAC file of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ “Final Rescue Attempt,” or listening to a compact disc of “All Mirrors,” by Angel Olsen via the digital optical input. The Technics is always a carefully controlled, pointedly balanced, and basically unflappable performer.