PRODUCTS
STUDIO LINE FROM HARMAN LUXURY AUDIO HARMAN Luxury Audio has introduced the JBL 4305P Studio Monitor – the first powered product in the consumer Studio Monitor range. Despite being the most compact model in the Studio Monitor series, the 4305P packs a (serious audio punch) says the maker with a host of patented JBL acoustic technologies that deliver floor-standing level performance. As a self-contained active loudspeaker, the 4305P has 300Wrms total system power builtin, a 24-bit/192kHz high-resolution DAC, and six inputs that can be used with a wide variety of digital and analogue audio sources. Additional features include a selectable bass contour control to compensate for acoustic differences in loudspeaker placement and positioning, and a signal-sensing line-level subwoofer output. The integrated streaming engine provides both wired and wireless network audio capabilities via Ethernet, Google Chromecast Built-in, Apple AirPlay 2, and Bluetooth audio. A 24-bit/192kHz high-resolution DAC ensures music comes across with the highest fidelity. The 4305P provides a number of connections for physical sources too including asynchronous USB and optical digital inputs, and a 3.5mm analogue input. The 4305P also includes an analogue input with combination XLR / 1⁄4in TRS phono connectors and a selectable input sensitivity switch for use with balanced or unbalanced signals.
The 4305P Studio Monitor system consists of a primary and secondary loudspeaker with selectable L/R assignment capability to suit personal placement preference. The primary loudspeaker includes front panel controls for volume, mute, input selection, and Bluetooth pairing, plus all physical inputs on its rear panel. In addition to the front panel controls, the 4305P includes a Bluetooth handheld remote control and can be controlled as part of a Google Home or Apple Airplay ecosystem.
When operating with a wireless connection between with primary and secondary, the 4305P delivers audio resolution up to 96kHz. When tethered with the included 2m Digital Link cable, audio resolution can be extended to 192kHz to extract the highest possible performance from available content. Harman Luxury Audio/JBL jbl.com/specialtyaudio
The 4305P can render MQA audio files, is certified Roon Ready and launches Q2 of 2022
ACOUSTIC ENERGY HITS A 100! The new 100 Series isn’t just an upgrade of the previous version, it’s a completely new design, says the maker. The design brief was to try and maintain the compact dimensions and sleek appearance of the original 100 Series, but offer a more mature, refined and bigger sound with greater bandwidth and power. First in line for an upgrade was the main drive unit, the decision was made to move up to a 5in driver - this time utilising a four-layer voice coil with flux rings to enable improved dynamics, headroom and clarity. This created a new problem of size and keeping compact dimensions, solved by using HDF (High Density Fibreboard). The engineers concluded they needed more internal volume to achieve maximum benefit from the new 5in driver. After calculation and experimentation, the decision was made to move to HDF - unheard of at this price-point says the maker. HDF provides the option of using thinner cabinet walls with no loss in acoustic performance, the mass and stiffness of the 15mm HDF being the same as the previous 18mm MDF. The result is a 15% increase in cabinet size but a 30% increase in internal volume over the previous 100 Series. The final piece of the puzzle was retaining the integration and musically rewarding character of the slimline 100 Series cabinets. For this, a new
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25mm soft-dome tweeter and waveguide was developed to match the new bass driver, taking a leaf out of the 500 Series book and pushing them as close together as physically possible thanks to a cutaway trim. Aesthetically, the new 100 Series retains similar lines to the older generation but cleaner and more refined. The new 100 Series will
retail from £229 to £599 and comprise of the AE1002 bookshelf, AE1092 floor-stander, AE1072 centre and AE1082 active subwoofer, with a new AE1202 flagship floor-stander following in the Spring. Acoustic Energy acoustic-energy.co.uk
All speakers are available in Black and Walnut vinyl veneer with the AE1002 also available in White
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