DESIGN

There’s more to wireless multi-room audio than just streaming Spotify…

The HEOS 7 is a scarily potent table-top music system; its bass is seismic

Representing Panasonic in our multi-room Octagon is the titchy SC-All05 and the bruising SC-All9. The former is a portable for all occasions; it’ll last around nine hours on a fully charged battery, while an IPX7 rating means it’s waterproof to a depth of one metre – more than enough for the average wet room. The flagship SC-All9 is rather more sedentary, preferring a table-top or wall-mount. We were immediately impressed by their design and build quality. Streaming-service implementation includes Spotify, Napster and AllPlay Radio served via third-party apps.

The compact Denon HEOS 1 also boasts a water-resistant design, but to take it outside you’ll need to invest £79 in a HEOS Go Pack, which consists of a rechargeable battery and a Splashguard. The battery clips to the base of the speaker and plays for around six hours. The Splashguard upgrades the unit from steam resistance to IPX4 splashproof certification. By way of contrast, the HEOS 7 is a scarily potent table-top music system distinguished by a bass performance that borders on seismic. It’s also heavy, which must be a good thing. The HEOS’s streaming support is best in class, covering Spotify, Tidal, SoundCloud, Napster, Deezer and TuneIn. Its trump card, though, is its ability to play ultra-high-res DSD audio files.

Yamaha’s MCR-N470D micro-system is a more conventional alternative to the HEOS 7, but, even with separate stereo bookshelf speakers, it requires only marginally more floor space. It has all the functionality you’d expect from a standalone hi-fi, including DAB. The fascia is tidy, with a CD drawer positioned beneath a clear display and a USB reader to the right. The WX-010 has a two-way speaker design and a passive radiator for enhanced bass. You can plonk it on a bedside table or use the hole on the rear to hang it on a wall. It’s cheap enough to warrant being paired with a second WX-010 for stereo. MusicCast support includes Spotify, Napster, Juke, Qobuz and Internet Radio, and it’s AirPlay-compliant.