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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
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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
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