Cambridge Audio, the UK’s specialist audio manufacturer and retailer of musically inspired audio equipment, has today announced the launch of the Evo One wireless streaming speaker, which is sure to be a formidable force in almost any home. Like Sonos on steroids, with 700 watts of power and no fewer than 14 speakers to deliver room-filling sound – whatever kind of music you like… crank it up!
Learn more about Cambridge Audio Evo One
Cambridge Audio says the Evo One “offers unrivalled performance, connectivity and versatility.” Ged Martin, a Red Dot Award-winning designer, is the creative force behind the design of the Evo One.
The company says the Evo One combines the hi-res streaming intelligence and musicality of its Evo 75 and Evo 150 streaming amplifiers with 14 perfectly tuned drivers powered by no less than 700 watts of power to give users a truly unique omnidirectional audio experience.
Based on the StreamMagic platform
By integrating Cambridge’s StreamMagic platform, music lovers everywhere can effortlessly access their favorite music content from virtually any music service. StreamMagic is the same platform used in the company’s CXN100 and MXN10 network players.
Our goal was to combine our decades of experience in sound and streaming into a user-friendly one-box experience. Evo One does all that and more. Aesthetically, sonically and functionally, it enriches every room and every occasion.
Matt Dore, Technical Director at Cambridge Audio
Further exploration of the Evo One
While the goal was to provide end users with a simple yet flexible sound solution, the company’s engineers have outdone themselves and delivered a high-quality, room-filling source of music enjoyment in a box. The four sides of the Evo One are equipped with 14 independent drivers, including 4 – 1-inch silk dome tweeters, 4 – 2.25-inch aluminum cone midrange drivers and 6 – 2.75-inch long-throw woofers.
To say the Evo One has wide dispersion would be the understatement of the year, as it is said to deliver a “really expansive soundstage.” Having friends over to meet and listen to music? With the Evo One, everyone in the house will be in the “sweet spot” no matter where they sit.
Lots of drivers and lots of power for room-filling music
These 14 drivers are powered by a 700-watt Class D amplifier, which has enough power to deliver breathtaking crescendos and floor-shaking bass. Each individual driver receives 50 watts RMS of pure power for fine control. Also on board is an advanced digital signal processor for perfect tuning of the signature Cambridge sound.
The company says that through the StreamMagic control app, users can fine-tune the sound to their exact taste. This includes a 7-band equalizer that gives users a nearly infinite number of control combinations to dial in the sound quality they desire. Additionally, there are several expert-developed presets that are tailored to optimize for a wide range of music genres as easily as the push of a button. The app also offers room optimization features, so the system adapts to your room…not the other way around.
Connoisseur of connectivity
Featuring the 4th generation of the company’s proprietary StreamMagic platform, this is Cambridge’s best streaming platform “for seamless, stable listening across a huge range of services and formats,” says the company. StreamMagic allows users to stream directly from Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Deezer, Qubuz, Roon Ready, UPnP and Internet radio, supporting high-resolution audio up to 32-bit/192kHz over Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Evo One is a connectivity genius with options for Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 and Google Cast. It is also fully compatible with Google Home, Apple AirPlay and Roon multi-room systems. You can even use Evo One as the heart of your home theater system, connecting it to your favorite flat-screen TV via HDMI eARC.
If you have it, you can connect it to Evo One
Other connectivity options include a moving magnet phono preamp for connecting your turntable, a line input for other sources, an optical digital input and a USB-A media jack for more digital options. The Evo One is easily controlled via the StreamMagic app, but thanks to the HDMI eARC connection, you can also easily control the volume using your TV’s remote. The Evo One also comes with its own remote control.
The design strikes me as a sort of modern, minimalist design. The wood veneer finish is a “genuine walnut wood veneer,” according to Cambridge, meaning there will be a little variation in each device made. The company calls the design “retro-modern,” which strikes me as a bit of an oxymoron… you know, like jumbo prawns. But I agree with them that the lines are crisp and clean. It’s hard to tell from a photo if it exudes a sense of luxury, but I can certainly see that it could.
Maximalist interior for minimalist exterior
When you remove the cabinet, you can see an incredibly robust and complex internal structure with the 14 drivers arranged around the cabinet, which shows just how clean and elegant the exterior design really is.
The device features a 6.8-inch color screen that gives the user even more display options. Users can choose between album art, a clock, or my personal favorite, large virtual VU meters. Evo One is made from recycled plastic and other sustainably sourced materials and is deliberately designed for precise performance optimization.
Prices and availability
Cambridge Audio’s Evo One is available now from cambridgeaudio.com and selected authorised retailers, with an RRP of £1299 / €1499 / $1499.
Key specifications of the Evo One
- 14 drivers (4 x 1-inch silk dome tweeters, 4 x 2.25-inch aluminum cone midrange drivers and 6 x 2.75-inch long-throw woofers)
- 700W Class D amplification (50W RMS per driver)
- Large 6.8-inch TFT color screen (1280 x 480 IPS) with choice between VU meters, album art or clock display
- StreamMagic Gen 4 module supports TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, Qobuz, Deezer, Roon Ready, UPnP and Internet radio
- FSC-certified wood veneer and MDF cabinet with beautifully patterned natural walnut top
- Supported audio formats: WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, DSD (DSF and DFF), WMA, MP3 (CBR and VBR), AAC, HE AAC and AAC+ (CBR and VBR), OGG Vorbis
- Supports audio resolutions up to 32 bit/192 kHz
- 7-band EQ adjustment with custom EQ storage option plus a range of EQ presets
- Room optimization settings to adjust the sound to your room and placement
- Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1 A2DP, AirPlay 2, Google Cast
- Wired Connectivity: HDMI eARC, Ethernet, RCA Line-In, MM Phono, Digital Optical, USB-A Media
- Remote control included
- 675 x 129 x 290 mm (26.6 x 5.1 x 11.4 inches), 14.5 kg (32 pounds)
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