The Danish company is known for listening carefully to its user base, founded in the DJ culture, and the UNIT-4 Wireless+ monitors are undoubtedly the result of the same careful market evaluation - and very likely also inspired by other Danish speaker innovations, notably from Soundboks to Audiocase. At first glance, the AIAIAI UNIT-4 Wireless+ monitors are a deceivingly simple wedge design that no one would say are intended to be used as a serious reference listening solution. And yet, the company promises the performance of studio monitors delivering tonal accuracy and a precise soundstage.
Compact and minimalistic, each AIAIAI UNIT-4 Wireless+ speaker weighs 2.5kg because of the built-in battery that allows for more than 20 hours of playback time. Inside, we find a classic 2-way active design, using a 4-inch high excursion paper cone woofer, and a 1-inch silk dome tweeter, with crossover at 3kHz, powered by a 2x 30W continuous power amplifier module. The flat +/-2dB frequency response is specified from 50Hz to 20kHz, although AIAIAI says that the speakers are tuned to provide "a clean bass extension down to 40Hz."
What really makes the concept stand-out is the use of AIAIAI's unique wireless audio protocol, which allows these speakers to deliver ultra-low latency, as required for monitoring applications. The proprietary W+ Link RF technology has been proven in the company's wireless transmitter and headphones - and now we know it's not based on SKAA, as Soundboks uses, for example. Although we can always connect directly our audio sources via 3.5mm mini-jack and 6.3mm balanced TRS inputs, for the UNIT-4 Wireless+ speakers AIAIAI explored the full potential of wireless audio.
Audio can be streamed to both speakers using the company's own W+ Link wireless audio technology for the best possible results, in a stable and robust connection. The company offers a new, more compact X02 transmitter - included with every UNIT-4 Wireless+ pair - that can be connected to any USB-C or mini-jack to deliver ultra-low latency wireless audio from the source. Each X02 transmitter transmits to two W+ Link devices simultaneously. If desired, users can also stereo audio over Bluetooth, since the speakers are also Bluetooth 5.2 enabled devices.
The bass reflex, 3-liter volume enclosure is made from stiff recycled plastic, and the achieved low bass response was achieved thanks to the combination of the woofer's unusually high excursion and the vent design optimization, with a folded design that makes the most of the enclosure's limited internal space. This bass vent also doubles as a comfortable carrying handle. AIAIAI says that, since these are studio monitors, it doesn't use DSP to artificially boost bass, and simply equalizes selected frequencies for a flat response.
The front baffle was designed to integrate the tweeter waveguide, generating the most neutral response up to 30 degrees off-axis, while the minimal front design helps ensure a precise sound stage. Users can position the UNIT-4 monitors in a standard vertical placement or on its side in "stage monitor" mode. The wedge cabinet allows 30 degrees angles upwards, useful for recording monitoring or performance. The UNIT-4's rubber feet ensure grip and isolation from different surfaces, and AIAIAI even sells additional UNIT-4 Iso Pads with a 6 degree incline or decline, providing greater isolation between the speaker and the working surface.
And because the UNIT-4 Wireless+ monitors are designed to be portable, the Danish company also made sure that users had a way to compensate for different rooms and for its characteristics. The AIAIAI app connects to the monitors via Bluetooth, and offers a customizable 5-band EQ that updates the speakers in real-time and includes some expertly tuned presets to accommodate for the most common cases.
The result of the work of Swiss design house Panter&Tourron, the UNIT-4 Wireless+ studio monitors are a glue-free construction, allowing users to take the whole speaker apart using just two screwdrivers, and upgrade or replace components such as batteries, driver units, and wireless electronics. All main components are produced from 100% recycled plastics, from post-consumer sources. The front metal grille that offers additional protection is an optional component.
At the rear of the speakers, we find the DC power inlet, balanced and unbalanced audio ports, and two connectivity buttons - one to toggle between the W+ Link or the Bluetooth source and the other to commute between left/right/stereo/mono. On the top of the speaker we find volume controls alongside a multifunction button (a single press for play/pause in Bluetooth mode and mute/unmute in other connectivity modes, or a long press for power on/off in all modes). The integrated battery offers 20 hours of playback time from just 2 hours of charging time, and users are able to monitor battery status from a LED ring light encircling the main woofer. This frontal LED ring also indicates pairing mode and volume level.
AIAIAI offers the UNIT-4 Wireless+ speakers as an ecosystem, much in the same the company does with its modular headphones. Users can order a pair of the studio monitors with the X02 transmitter as a ready to use package, or they can order individual speakers, a protective carrying pouch made from compostable fabric material with strap and pockets, a protective bumper case in recycled silicone for extra protection on the go, and the mentioned isolation pads, also made from 100% recycled silicone.
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