Kenwood M-7100S
Specifications and features
Kenwood M-7100S: the connected hi-fi micro system
Placing a compact system in a bedroom or on the corner of a desk, without giving up the CD player or digital radio: that is the aim of this Kenwood system. A central electronic unit and two speakers combine CD, DAB+ tuner, Bluetooth and Internet radio in a compact footprint. Sunday records and smartphone playlists alike have their place, without changing devices.
A compact three-piece system
The M-7100S consists of a central unit (180 × 116 × 220 mm, weighing 1.4 kg) flanked by two speakers measuring 148 × 238 × 202 mm and weighing 1.9 kg each. The speakers are two-way bass-reflex models: each cabinet houses two drivers, one for bass and midrange, the other for treble, with a tuned port extending low-frequency response. This frequency separation gives the sound more breathing room compared with a single driver.
In terms of power, the amplification delivers 2 × 25 W RMS. The RMS value corresponds to the power the electronics can sustain over time, a more meaningful reference than the inflated peak power figures sometimes encountered. In a bedroom or office space, this reserve is enough to raise the volume without the sound deteriorating. The M-7100S succeeds the M-7000S, retaining its three-piece design with a slightly lower power reserve.
Three ways to listen to radio
The tuner section combines three modes. Traditional FM comes with RDS, which displays the station name and broadcast information on the screen. DAB+, terrestrial digital radio, receives more stations with more stable reception and sound free from FM-band hiss. Internet radio and podcasts remain available via Wi-Fi: thousands of stations from around the world and catch-up programmes, without an antenna or coverage-area constraints.
This combination, brought together under Kenwood’s SmartRadio banner, makes it possible to listen to a local DAB+ station or a foreign web radio station, in the same place and from the same system.
Stream music wirelessly
For music stored on a phone, tablet or computer, the M-7100S features Bluetooth 5.2, a recent version of the protocol that improves connection stability and energy efficiency over the M-7000S’s Bluetooth 4.2. Pairing takes just a few seconds, and playback starts from any app on the device.
Spotify subscribers also benefit from Spotify Connect. The principle differs from Bluetooth: the system retrieves the stream itself from the network, while the phone simply controls playback. Quality no longer depends on the phone’s wireless connection, which remains free to receive a call or move away without interrupting the sound. At the rear, a line input accommodates an analogue source via a wired connection.
Play CDs and USB files
The built-in player reads commercial audio CDs as well as home-burned discs, whether CD-R, CD-RW or MP3 compilations. On the front panel, a USB port takes over for MP3 files stored on a flash drive. Both sources support shuffle and repeat playback, making it possible to play through a compilation or resume an album without touching anything.
Colour display, app and alarm clock
A 2.4-inch (6.1 cm) colour TFT display shows the active source, station information and the cover artwork of the album being played. It is slightly smaller than that of the M-7000S, without changing the display logic. The supplied infrared remote control manages everything remotely.
Control is also available through the OKTIV app, installed on a smartphone or tablet. Developed by Frontier Smart Technologies, it replaces the UNDOK app used by previous-generation Kenwood systems. From the phone, users can select the source, adjust the volume, switch the system on or off, and group favourite stations and services for instant recall.
Two conveniences complete everyday use: a dual alarm clock, useful for distinguishing weekdays from weekends, and a sleep timer that switches off the system after a programmed delay, allowing you to fall asleep to music. Sound settings remain adjustable to tailor the tonal balance to the room.
Documentation
French
Technical specifications
Amplification
- Output power: 2 x 25 W RMS
- Adjustable sound settings
Speakers
- 2-way bass-reflex type
- Two drivers per speaker: one for bass / midrange, one for treble
- Tuning port to enhance bass
- Dimensions: 148 x 238 x 202 mm (W x H x D)
- Weight: 1.9 kg per speaker
Radio tuner
- FM with RDS (station name and broadcast information display)
- DAB+ (digital terrestrial radio, more stable reception and more stations than FM)
- Internet radio and podcasts via Wi-Fi
Network and wireless connectivity
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth 5.2 (audio streaming from smartphone, tablet or computer)
- Spotify Connect (Spotify playback control from the app)
Physical and local source playback
- CD player compatible with CD-DA, CD-R / RW and MP3
- Front USB port compatible with MP3
- Shuffle and repeat playback (CD and USB)
- Line input for connecting an analogue source
Display and controls
- 2.4-inch (6.1 cm) TFT colour display
- Infrared remote control included
- Control from the OKTIV smartphone app
Practical features
- Dual alarm clock
- Sleep timer (programmed automatic shutdown)
Main unit
- Dimensions: 180 x 116 x 220 mm (W x H x D)
- Weight: 1.4 kg
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a subscription to listen to Internet radio and podcasts?
No. Internet radio and podcasts are freely accessible as soon as the system is connected to Wi‑Fi. A subscription is only required for Spotify Connect, which requires a Spotify account: the free plan allows limited listening, while the paid subscription gives you full control over track selection.
What is the difference between Bluetooth and Spotify Connect?
With Bluetooth, audio is sent from the phone and travels via the wireless connection, which is constantly in use. With Spotify Connect, the device retrieves the stream directly from the network: sound quality no longer depends on the phone, which can move away, go into standby mode, or receive a call without interrupting the music.
Is the OKTIV app essential?
No. The supplied remote control and front-panel controls are sufficient to enjoy all sources. OKTIV provides additional convenience for browsing Internet radio, organizing favorites and controlling the system remotely, but installation remains optional.
Is Wi-Fi required to use the speaker?
Only for network functions: Internet radio, podcasts and Spotify Connect. The CD player, USB port, DAB+ and FM tuner, and Bluetooth work without any Internet connection.
Does the player support high-resolution audio files?
No. The USB port and burned discs are limited to MP3, a compressed format, and the system does not play high-resolution files such as FLAC or WAV. Note, however, that the CD player reproduces commercially available audio discs without compression, at CD resolution.
What distinguishes the M-7100S from the M-7000S?
The M-7100S retains the structure and sources of the M-7000S while modernizing its connected features: Bluetooth is upgraded to version 5.2, and control now relies on the OKTIV app rather than UNDOK. In return, the 2.4-inch display and 2 × 25 W output are slightly below the outgoing model’s 2.8 inches and 2 × 30 W.
Can a turntable be connected to the line input?
Yes, provided that the source delivers a line-level signal. A turntable must therefore have a built-in or external phono preamp: without it, the signal would be too weak and unbalanced. Sources that are already amplified can be connected directly.
- Eco-contribution of €2.58 included in the sale price.
- Manufacturer reference: KW245151
- GTIN / EAN: 19048245151
