June 2022 ertonline.co.uk Below: Sony’s LSPX-S3 Light Sound speaker


All the key music streaming services are available too, including Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer, Qobuz, Spotify and Tidal.


‘A truly modern-day audio system’ Brett Worth, Marketing Director, Q Acoustics, describes the Q Active line as the brand’s most connected yet.


“It is a wireless high-resolution system that can play music from any source, be it TV, smartphone, music streamer, laptop, or turntable. Add in support for voice control and multiroom and you have a truly modern-day audio system,” he says. “Voice control is very much the centre of our


connected audio products going forward,” he adds. “Affordable, simple-to-use and easy-to-fit custom install systems are the perfect partner for voice assistants.”


The light speaker, which has a candle-like appearance,


uses three actuators that vibrate a glass tweeter to spread sound in every direction, a conventional 46mm speaker unit handles the mid-range. “There’s a Candlelight mode that provides a subtle illumination that flickers bright for general use, or delicate for winding down at night – you can set a sleep timer to ensure the speaker turns off as you doze. With four different lighting modes and 32 brightness levels, the experience is completely customisable for your needs and moods.” And yes, it can be controlled through the companion app.


Faster, faster! As the number of Internet connectable product categories grows, wireless networks are evolving to accommodate them. New standards like Wi-Fi 6 bring improved stability and faster speeds. Amazon recently launched the eero Pro 6E and eero 6+ in the UK. Both are Wi-Fi 6 enabled. The former supports network speeds up to 2.3 Gbps, and offers coverage for over 100 devices simultaneously, more than enough to ease any consumer connection anxiety. Even if you’re into (simultaneous) AR, VR, and 8K streaming, your kit shouldn’t buffer.


Amazon eero Pro 6E Users need only configure the compact central


Control Hub supplied for Google Chromecast built-in or Amazon Works with Alexa. The Hub, which can be hidden from sight, connects using Ethernet or Wi-Fi, and converts all incoming audio to 44-bit/96kHz hi-res audio.


“With the introduction of eero Pro 6E and eero 6+, we are expanding our portfolio and making our easy-to-use, fast, and reliable whole-home Wi-Fi systems more accessible and affordable for customers,” says Eric Saarnio, Vice President, Amazon Devices International.


A single £209 eero Pro 6E covers up to 190 square metres, while a two-pack covers up to 370 square metres. Smart


speakers tend to be compact all-in-


ones, but audiophile brands are getting in on the connected action too. Q Acoustics’ new Q Active models (pictured above) can match any Amazon Echo in a spelling bee, but confidently outgun it when it comes to audio quality.


The £1,499 Q Active 200 is a standmount design with a total power output of 280W, while the £2,299 Q Active 400 features a formidable 440W power plant. For all that, we’re told the Q Active 400 is incredibly compact, “consider it a mini floorstander.” The 400 is only just hitting the high street, having been delayed by the global chip shortage. Q Acoustics has an enviable reputation when it comes to sound quality and design, but with the Q Active it’s leaning heavily on smart tech. The models support voice control via Apple Siri and Google Assistant and can form part of a multi-room speaker group using AirPlay 2, Roon and Google Chromecast.


So how significant are attributes like AirPlay 2, Roon, and Google Chromecast to Q Acoustic’s road map?


“People are plugged into different ecosystems,


have different favourite services and different connectivity demands, so as an audio company you need to offer support for every leading platform,” reasons Mr Worth. “Q Active delivers that flexibility and doesn’t present any barriers for consumers not to choose our smart speakers.”


Which begs the question: Is there a future for ‘non smart’ products or are we heading for ubiquitous connectivity? “There are most definitely still consumers who want to digest their audio in a more traditional manner, and the industry still needs to cater to that market,” says Mr Worth. “There is also a new demographic that wants all-in-one connectivity solutions, so in order to service that rapidly expanding market place we need to ensure we continue to develop products that perform to traditional hi-fi standards while incorporating all-encompassing connectivity and entertainment solutions.”


Another Hi-Fi brand firmly committed to the streaming space is KEF. Its £1,199 LSX II wireless audio system is a plug-and-play sound system suitable for movie, music and gaming needs, and arrives with impeccable pedigree.


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