The SpeakEasy 4 active speaker system is truly a multipurpose solution for someone who owns vinyl, maybe already a turntable, and just needs a simple speaker solution to listen to the music in a separate room or the weekend hone. While at it, why not also allow connecting sound from a TV, a wireless streaming device or any other streaming source such as an Apple TV or a WiiM? All these possibilities are covered by the Massachusetts-based company with the SpeakEasy 4 system, even if it's not the most innovative or exciting thing in the world.
"We enjoyed great success with our unique SpinBase series of one-box powered speakers for vinyl fans," explains Bob Hazelwood, Andover's Director of Engineering and Product Development. "We feel it is important also to offer a more conventional powered speaker option that will not only seamlessly integrate with existing Andover components like the Songbird Streamer and SpinDeck 2 turntable, but also accommodate digital and analog sources via a well-performing, affordable tabletop speaker for anyone looking to significantly enhance these sources' sound quality. The result is the SpeakEasy 4—effortless setup and operation with detailed sound for a wide range of home-entertainment needs. As the name implies, we’ve made something that is easy to connect and use with whatever source you have."
The SpeakEasy 4 was designed around a 4" composite cone woofer and a 3/4" silk-dome tweeter, providing a balanced and well-performing solution in a compact, vented MDF cabinet internally braced for lower resonance. Each woofer and tweeter is directly powered by its own dedicated Class-D amplifier channel (50W/25W RMS) optimized for its specific frequency range, to ensure the best possible, distortion-free sound at any volume level. One speaker contains the plate amplifier with all the electronics and connectivity, and the other is simply a satellite unite that connects to the main speaker via a single cable
The SpeakEasy 4's phono input is in this case the main differentiator, and follows the launch of the company's own SpinStage separate phono preamp. The digital inputs accept high-resolution signals up to 24-bit/96kHz via a TosLink connection. A USB Type A port offers the ability to play song files from a storage device holding a digital music collection, and can also power and charge a mobile device. Andover doesn't provide any specifics about the Bluetooth module, so we should assume SBC and AAC at best.
An interesting aspect is that the SpeakEasy 4's include a left/right pre-out output, which allows connecting additional powered speakers, and/or a powered subwoofer. The design is extremely simple, with the speakers available in black or white vinyl finish, featuring a removable grille. A LED Night Mode sets the speakers' internal lights to dim a mere five seconds after the user changes the volume, advances a track, or makes another adjustment.
Conveniently, the SpeakEasy 4 system comes with its own IR remote, and the front-panel includes an intuitive control knob with LED to indicate operation modes and Bluetooth pairing. To support easy operation, the SpeakEasy 4 wakes from Standby mode when an audio signal is sensed on the input that was active when the speaker was last placed in Standby.
The SpeakEasy 4 speaker system is available for pre-order with expected deliveries starting in July 2024
www.andoveraudio.com
