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Seiko SQ50V Quartz Metronome

In the search for the best way to time their music, musicians worldwide continue to look for that perfect device. In this metronome review we take a look at the Seiko SQ50-V Quartz Metronome, which with its $30 price tag is clearly aimed at the entry-level buyer segment. While this neat little instrument doesn’t have a lot of “extras” to boast of, this update to its predecessor (the SQ50) does add a few things that had us interested to test.

Specifications

Here is what’s new with this Seiko update to a fairly good device:

• A new stylized look makes it appear simpler to use. It in fact is.
• Adjustable volume controls can be seen here.
• You have your two tone generators (A and Bb).
• An easy-to-use tempo dial helps you select and switch settings fast. Use the A=440 to perfect your tuning. Range is 40-208 BPM, and can be easily set using this 39-position rotary dial.
• Represent the beat visually through a red LED. You can also use both together i.e. the LED and the audio beats.
• Includes an earphone jack.

Pros

To kick things off, it’s important to take stock of the dial found on the SQ50-V. You have here a dial that’s easy to operate, and extremely convenient to use when figuring out the tempo of a song you’re listening to.

For example, you can turn the dial to what you think is the song’s tempo. From there, you can turn it point-by-point in either direction until you find the exact value of that particular tune. Compared to its counterparts which use buttons to change the settings, most musicians (serious or casual) will find this dial to be a far superior option.

Another great addition to this quartz metronome is the headphone jack, which can be specially useful to night owls using digital instruments. Even better would be to connect it to a wireless headset, for an unrestricted practice session.

The flexibility you see in this entry-level product is quite surprising. There are various ways you can work things out, including adjusting the volume of the beat while choosing between two pitches for that beat.

Cons

Now while you can choose between two pitches, the sound isn’t all that pleasant to the ears. The beep sounds are electronically reproduced, and are unnatural to play along to. During a long practice session, it not only gets annoying, but might just distract enough to get one off tempo. Nor is it a particularly sharp sound, that will have you paying attention. For anyone interested in this product, it’s highly recommended that you hear it for yourselves to ensure that your ears can get accustomed to it.

Not particularly important, but some musicians might say otherwise and demand it from any metronome review – this device cannot go up to 250 BPM. It doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t buy it, rather it wholly depends on the kind of music one subscribes to. 208 BPM is the maximum this quartz metronome can go up to.

Verdict

For a price tag of $30, the Seiko sure has packed in enough to justify a recommendation. This metronome review gives it a…

Rating: 4/5