Core review: Shames its rivals twice the size
It relies on Wave Field Synthesis, where a set of speakers rely on sound reflection to creatte stereo effect and pumps out a total of 120Watts output
Core comes from the stables of Mass Fidelity, a startup catering to audio products. It features great audio performance that comes from a box as small as a lunch box. It is a compact wireless and BT speaker that can pair with multiple Cores around the house. The Core produces pristine quality stereo audio from a single unit itself. The company claims it is ‘ better than stereo,’ and we would probably support that term too.
Core measures just 6x6x4 inches and weigh 1.5Kg. It holds five drivers and an amplifier that pumps a whopping 120 Watts in total. And what impresses us, even more, is that the tiny box has been cramped with a battery that can run for almost 12- hours on a single charge apart from also doubling up as a power bank for your smartphone/ tablet. And Core charges to a full tank in just 2 hours.
As for the build, the product is rock solid. It has a glossy acrylic top, a metal chassis with fabric around and a chrome bottom — makes it look both simple and elegant. Four buttons on top cater to volume, multi- room pairing and source, while the business end features a USB port, power jack, power, S/ PDIF, subwoofer and aux ports. A 5GHz wireless module for multi- room connectivity is also seen on the rear. Handsfree calling, IR remote control, NFC and IoT compatibility are some additional features here. Lastly, the Core supports Qualcomm’s AptX to ensure better audio quality and transmission.
The Core can produce acoustic holograms that imitate conventional stereo speakers. Trust us, the tech actually works and is not a marketing gimmick. Physical stereo speakers need to be placed apart from each other, eating up a valuable real estate in the room. As for Core, the acoustic hologram actually sends sound waves in a particular direction behind the speaker and reflects off the wall to create an imaginary stereo setup. This tech is called Wave Field Synthesis, where a set of drivers are clubbed together and have algorithms to bounce audio off the walls to create the stereo effect. Moreover, this effect is not directional or limited to distance — be in any part of the room and you can still experience pure stereo audio.
We tested the same and were blown away by the claim that we could move anywhere around the room and still experience stereo. Audio delivered from the Core is great and we were trying our best to nitpick on any area we could. The Core is not meant for oomph bass — however, we still didn’t find a chance to complain. There was absolutely no distortion, even at high levels. No mixing of sounds, almost nothing. Watching movies was bliss too — vocals are crisp and clear, whilst still maintaining the highs and lows in the background.
For the price of ` 34,999, the Core is not cheap, but it justifies the price from the technology it incorporates and the hard work put in by the engineers. With a slick design and impressive audio performance with capabilities to play in multiroom groups, the Core is a product we would want to take home.