We can remember when it were all iPod docks round 'ere, but the customary approach is fast making way for wireless AirPlay-enabled devices such as Brit-born Cambridge Audio's Minx Air 100.
It's on sale now for around £330.
The Air 100 is really the wee male sibling of the Air 200, which offers larger speakers for £100 more. Both apparatus gaze smoothly capable, with sleek lines and no-nonsense design -- a merchandise to be relied on rather than envied, possibly.
There's no electric electric electric battery inside, so you can't play it on the move, but it's easy to convey round the dwelling thanks to a sturdy convey handle at the back which doubles as a bass port. And while it's intended primarily as a wireless streamer, but round the back there are furthermore twin phono inputs as well as a 3.5mm mini jack plug. Set-up's straightforward. close it in, then find it utilising the Wi-Fi connection on your computer on your telephone or computer. connection them up and it will mechanically connect to your Wi-Fi system, prepared to go.
As well as AirPlay the Minx 100 also boasts Bluetooth playback, which undoes it up to just about any wireless phone. You don't have to play tracks from your library either, these days you can stream content from other services encompass BBC iPlayer wireless, Spotify, YouTube and Last.fm.
There's a Minx Air app of course, for iOS or Android, but it won't proceed as a remote command, which would have been handy. The identical goes for the slimline supplied isolated command which only offers capacity and bass, in addition to ten preset buttons for your preferred internet wireless positions. If you're commanding your playback from your smartphone or table, this isn't too much of a difficulty. But if you're streaming from your desktop, isolated control would have been a helpful option. Instead, the app focuses on internet radio, making it easy to search and shop internet wireless stations. Since there's no interface on the device itself, you'll need the app to find your way around the 200,000 or so accessible stations and one time you've found some you like, you can fix them as presets on the app, or assign them to the five buttons on peak of the Minx 100.
Sound-wise, the twin 4in BMR speakers can propel out a pretty decent sound and create a widely dispersed stereo likeness. It's full, and can go blaring without any obvious distortion, but despite the additional bass control (on the isolated, or by a knob at the back) it typically tends to sound woollier than it really should, and lacking in minutia in the higher range. contemplating this absolutely isn't a allowance streamer, we'd have admired a bit more insight into our mid and top varieties.
Conclusion
The Minx Air 100 is a well-built, good-looking audio streamer that boasts a hassle-free way to play your music from your computer, smartphone or tablet. It does internet radio (though you'll need an app to command it) and it can consign room-filling volume, making it a attractive good party starter, though hi-fi followers may will be a bit disappointed with the bass-heavy sound.
