Audio Pro multi-room
“The key to the performance is a musicality unrivalled by anything at a similar price”
Audio Pro’s range of wireless speakers, including its instantly recognisable boom-box-style Addon range, has earned the Swedish manufacturer multiple What Hi-fi? Awards, such is their unrivalled sonic prowess. The Addon C3, C5 and C10 are pretty much visually identical but for size, while the C5a has a volume indicator and pair of microphones for use with Alexa Voice Assistant. Each has the ‘koala’ driver configuration that is these speakers’ distinguishing feature.
The key to their performance is a musicality unrivalled by anything at a similar price. The level of detail is insightful, exposing the texture and timbre of each instrument and vocal line alike without underplaying cohesion or organisation in favour of analysis. The Addon range once dominated Audio Pro’s wireless speaker output, but now there are talented products at either end of the spectrum. A fabric-coated cylinder standing just shy of 20cm, the A10 brings the company’s sonic signature sound to a multi-room speaker at under £200, whereas the Drumfire is a 65cm-tall floorstanding colossus. The bottom part houses a 20cm subwoofer powered by a 200W Class D amplifier to pump out the bass, while the part on top of the sub houses two 11cm woofers and a 25mm tweeter.
The Drumfire’s better-honed talents run further than the added power and bottom end over its family members – it is again a step up in terms of performance across the board.
There is a pair of unknown quantities in the Audio Pro line-up – the Addon C-sub helps those smaller speakers delve deeper into the low frequencies, while the A40 premium wireless speaker is set to receive a wider release following its design for the company’s 40th anniversary. Meanwhile, the Link 1’s duties are to collect song selections from the app, connecting to your home network via either wi-fi or its ethernet input, and dispense via the output you have selected. For just £100, any extra audio equipment – including another Addon speaker or a full hi-fi system – is now part of your multi-room network.
Stress-free set-up
It’s difficult to imagine a less stressful set-up procedure. The Audio Pro app seeks out all available products connected to the home network, and they appear there to manipulate as you wish. Living with the app is a slightly different proposition, though. In many ways, it’s extremely simple – ‘drag and drop’ to partner or separate speakers, either in stereo pairs or multi-room zones, and tweak the bass and treble. However, it can be a little buggy, and limited compared with rivals.
The Audio Pro range doesn’t include the home cinema components of some of its rivals, but for sound quality at the price, this system is currently unbeatable. As much as anything, multi-room should be about whose speakers you want around your house. For us, Audio Pro makes that particular decision simple.