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Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/401116
54 MacDirectory reVIeW Cambridge Audio made a name for itself making uniquely slim amplifiers and tuners in the 60's. Since then they have continued to produce high quality audio gear with an emphasis on audio quality and stylish design. Their philosophy is "sound first" meaning they build a product for sound quality over flashy design or gimmicks. All stages of development, from conception to design to prototyping happen in-house at Cambridge Audio in London. The engineers at Cambridge Audio select only the best components to be used in their products even if that means re-designing and manufacturing their own custom parts to achieve the quality they require. Not only does Cambridge Audio have high end audiophile quality equipment in their catalogue, but they use that same attention to detail in there more convenient, affordable wireless and portable audio device offerings. AIr 200 Cambridge Audio's Air 200 wireless speaker is a versatile AirPlay, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker, that lets you easily stream music from your device and through popular apps like Spotify. The Air 200 also lets you listen to your favorite internet radio stations and find new stations with the Air app. There are over 20,000 stations from around the world that you can browse through by genre or location on the app. You can also use the five preset buttons to select stations even without connecting to a device or app. The compact design of the Air 200 incorporates Cambridge Audio's innovative audio technology. The Air 200 is acoustically dampened and eliminates distortion and vibration. The bass port serves double duty as a convenient carrying handle while it adds punch to the bass notes. Sound comes from Balanced Mode Radiator (BMR) speaker drivers which vibrate horizontally as well as in and out. This extra axis of movement disperses sound in a wider arc through your room than traditional speakers would. These innovative speakers are powered by 200 watts of amplification, which means this little unit can get very loud when needed while still producing clean audio. mInx xL The reasonably sized XL speakers are perfect for hiding in a bookcase or in a TV stand, yet they can produce the kind of high quality audio experience of much larger, more expensive speakers. Cambridge Audio focuses on using the best components and technology to ensure the speaker performs at the highest level. With rounded edges and a modern looking gloss finish in either black or white the speakers look great and have cabinets designed to have the perfect dimensions that eliminate standing sound waves inside their enclosures. There is also a foam damper behind the tweeter diaphragm which serves to reduce audio reflections. Silk dome tweeter construction increases clarity and detail in the highs, while the treated paper cone of the 5.25 inch main speaker creates a responsive rich mid-range. An "optimized" woofer magnet smooth's out the low range and helps with bass tones. Tuned two-way crossover provides great response. These speakers are designed to be used with Cambridge Audio's similarly styled Minx XL audio system, but they could easily compliment any existing system that uses standard speaker wire (Cambridge Audio recommends using a 10 - 100 watt amplifier). The wire connectors at the back of the Minx XL are clearly marked and solidly constructed with big clear nuts that turn down easily without loosening. CAmBrIdgE AudIo > grEAT BrITISH Sound By THAddEuS rAzdow Air 200 Wireless Speaker Made by: cambridge audio (cambridgeaudio.com) Price: $499.99 Pros: Great connectability, features, and clarity. cons: a bit larger than expected, bass could be stronger. MacDirectory rating: 4 stars Minx XL Bookshelf Speaker Made by: cambridge audio (cambridgeaudio.com) Price: $350.00 Pros: Great sound, style and affordability. cons: no wireless capability. MacDirectory rating: 4 ½ stars