Mini CD Player CD201 – Today’s product was provided for review by Leapwell’s Michelle. Thank you so much for your collaboration!
So in today’s market, CD players are pretty much long forgotten. People are mostly using streaming services such as Spotify, Apple music, Tidal, Deezer and so on. However, there is a retro element that (for instance) goes back to Vinyl Records, for the (supposedly) warmer sound. And in between these two time periods, lies the humble CD. The advantage of CDs is the much better audio quality (most music streaming services offer lossy compression in order to be able to serve a gigantic library of music, at the cost of some of the quality). Compact Discs contain music as it was mastered. No compression, no loss of quality, and of course, no need for internet connection.
What’s in the Box?
Leapwell was generous with this little CD player. They included a charging cable (the player is portable and can play up to 4 hours), 3.5mm AUX cable for using the internal speaker to play from external source (such as an mp3 player, or a TV), wired earbuds (for when you don’t want to disturb anyone), a remote control, and a user manual.
This is what I found in the box:
- CD201 Mini CD Player unit
- USB Charging Cable
- 3.5 mm AUX Cable
- Wired Earbuds
- Remote control
- User Manual
Looks
CD201 design mixes clean lines (a-la iPhone? with the rounded corners) with some retro touches in the form of the front grill and old timey font used. It is a white plastic box with built-in front facing speaker covered in a black metal grill with the Leapwell logo, ports are on the back side, and on the top next to the translucent black CD door, are the round volume knob (also functions as pause/play button), and control buttons for the player.
Specifications
| Bluetooth Specification | Bluetooth 5.1 (Only support receiving) |
| Speaker | 4Ω-3W |
| Size | 185mm x 145mm x 54.7mm |
| Net Weight | 610 Grams |
| Transmission Distance | 33 Feet (10 Meters) |
| Battery Capacity | 3.7V-2600mAh/18650 Li-ion 9.62Wh |
| FM Radio Frequency | 87.5KHz-108.0KHz |
| Rated Input | 5V-2A |
| Charging time | 3 Hours |
| Working time | 4 Hours |
| Compatible Format | CD, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3, WMA |
| Functions | CD, USB, Bluetooth, FM, Optical, A-B Repeat, AUX Out |
| Other Interfaces | USB, 3.5MM, Optical fiber port, USB-C Charging port |
Ever since Bluetooth made its way into our little devices, it became an integral part of out lives. From Bluetooth enabled earphones and headphones, through hands-free wireless car ports, and of course wireless speakers that you can carry anywhere – Bluetooth became so common that you don’t find it strange to see people talk to themselves while walking in the streets any more.
Testing and Audio Quality
Audio was tested with: FM radio, Coldplay and other CDs (original, not burnt), USB stick MP3 files, Bluetooth, and AUX out to a powered speaker:
FM Radio
FM radio is supported on the CD201 and you can auto scan for radio stations. Sound quality was OK. But reception was not 100% as the antenna is only internal, and there is no option for an external antenna to be connected for better reception.
CD (Compact Disc) Playback
CD201 plays CD audio well, even though I found the volume to be a bit lacking.
USB Playback
I copied a few mp3 files onto a formatted Thumb drive (Flash drive, USB Stick) and played them back without an issue. However, it runs in a loop, so will continuously play unless stopped or the battery runs out.
Bluetooth
CD201 allows sound to be streamed into it via Bluetooth (from outside sources such as TV, Phone/Tablet, AV receiver and so on), but it cannot stream out – meaning it cannot act as a source of sound. Pairing was pretty straight forward and fast on my Android phone, as CD201 appears as “CD Player” and simply asks for confirmation to pair.
Audio Quality
Sound seems to be mediocre in nature, and not too loud. I expected this with the 3W speaker included. I have also noticed that when in Bluetooth mode, the volume tops out at level 16, while on FM radio mode it goes much higher.
AUX Out
I connected the CD201 to an external powered speaker to test playback. Turns out if you connect the speaker before you turn on the CD201 player, sound comes out both out to the external powered speaker, and the internal CD201 speaker at the same time. Only if you start the CD201 first, and then connect the AUX out to the external speaker – audio will only flow out. Tested with the Radio function. Volume only goes up to level 16.
Playback Modes
Standard – play, pause, stop, skip to next track, skip to previous track.
AB – mark a section of a track (only in CD mode) and play it on repeat
Battery Life
Less than expected. After full charge, the player lasts 2-3 hours.
Bugs and Issues
- Turning the CD201 on is a bit tricky. I could not do it from the included remote control unit
- When the battery is running low, I found out that I cannot turn it on and for it to stay on, and there is no low battery indication
- A volume bug was found in CD playback mode, where the volume jumps for a few seconds and then goes back to normal level. I did not touch the remote control , nor the volume knob.
CD201 Mini CD Player Conclusions
Did I like it? Yes, but it depends on the price point. I am glad that this kind of product still exist in the market, but the sound quality and functions could definitely be better.
Would I recommend it? Yes, only to people who will actually use it as a CD player. The rest of the functions are simply nice to have. And as long as you don’t need high quality sound or loud sound.
You like it! Where can you buy it? It will cost you about 60 USD (excluding shipping) and you can buy it here: CD Player Portable, Leapwell Portable CD Player with Speakers Bluetooth for Car Home, Small Compact Desktop Retro CD Player Rechargeable with Headphones Radio, Personal CD Players with FM USB White
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