The AIRPULSE A100 is a HiFi Hi-Res active speaker system. It looks amazing, sounds incredible, yet the price is relatively expensive. Then why it is a logical purchase for audiophiles?
Watch the video review of the AIRPULSE A100 active speaker system:
Summary:
Brand: AIRPULSE
Model: A100
Specifications:
| Gross Weight | 13.4 Kg (29.5 lbs) |
| Net Weight | 11 Kg (24.2 lbs) |
| Packing Size (WxHxD) | 489x387x353 (mm) |
| Cabinet Size (WxHxD) | 160 x 283 x 255 (mm) |
| Mid-Woofer | 5-inch / 127 mm aluminum cone |
| Tweeter | Horn Loaded Ribbon Tweeter |
| Power Output | L/R (Treble): 10W+10W L/R (Woofer): 40W+40W |
| Amplifier System | Digital Amplifier With Xmos Processor |
| Frequency Range | 52Hz-40KHz |
| Input Modes | AUX, PC, USB, Optical, Bluetooth |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Supported Audio Codecs | aptX |
| Sub Out | 1200mV (max) |
| Signal-Noise Ratio | L/R: ≥ 90 dB(A) |
| Sample Rate Input Sensitivity | AUX: 450 ± 50mV PC: 550 ± 50mV USB: 400 ± 50mFFs, Optical: 400 ± 50mFFs Bluetooth: 500 ± 50mFFs |
| Voltage | 100-240V AC/50-60 Hz |
What is inside the package?
- Active speaker
- Passive speaker
- Remote control
- 3.5mm to RCA audio cable
- RCA audio cable
- Speaker connecting cable
- USB connecting cable
- Fiber optic input audio cable
- Power cable
- User manual
- Cleaning cloth
- Pair of gloves
- 3M electronics ??? (I will add this info soon)
- Pair of desktop stands
Links to purchase the AIRPULSE A100:
Via Amazon
The pros:
Stunning design – The A100 looks like a piece of modern art, and the speakers will upgrade any room (or space) where you place them.
The cabinets consist of an 18-mm thick MDF with a piano lacquer finishing and are currently available in three colors (red, black, white).
I got the Ferrari Red color, which looks astonishing and suits the speakers perfectly.
Overall audio quality – You have to listen to the speakers in order to fully understand how good they sound. A number of factors contribute to that:
Firstly, the interior of the cabinet is lined with professional waved sound absorption material. As a result, audio coloration is reduced.
A horn-loaded aluminum ribbon tweeter sits atop each speaker. The tweeters have an output of 10 Watts each.
A horn tweeter improves the sound dispersion by controlling the directivity of the tweeter. The better the directivity, the better the sound pressure levels are whether it’s on, or off-axis.
Horns also improve the efficiency of your tweeter by coupling it’s driver’s high impedance to the lower impedance of the surrounding air.
Tweeters with ribbons have an ultra-fast transient response. Thus, ribbons are a good solution if audio delicacy and detail resolution are your main priorities.
Beneath the tweeters are 5″ mid-woofer units with a hard-anodized aluminum alloy cone. They are suspended in a heavy, ultra-rigid cast magnesium alloy frame, and each generates an output of 40 Watts.
The base is brilliant and rarely shadows the high & mid signals nor feels artificial. It’s possible to adjust the bass and add an external subwoofer, but the A100 is already extremely powerful from the get-go.
Wind noise is minimized by the oval-shaped vent tube on the back of the A100.
The Internal Wiring in the A100 is made by TRANSPARENT, a well-known American manufacturer.
This quality wiring should ensure a minimum signal loss.
Supports Hi-Res audio – The A100 is Hi-Res certified, which means they support audio that has a higher sampling frequency and/or bit depth than CD, which is specified at 16-bit/44.1kHz.
The active speaker is equipped with a high-efficiency amplifier with a digital signal processing (DSP) system and includes two TAS5754 Class-D amplifiers from Texas Instruments.
The frequency response of the A100 ranges from 52Hz to 40KHz. The input sample rate here supports up to 192 KHz so the entire digital processing should run smoothly and if you’re using the optical fiber connector it should support an input sample rate of up to 216 KHz
When you play audio through the speakers, you will feel the power in it instantly, but you will notice the difference if you will play remastered audio tracks.
Powerful output – The overall output of the Airpulse A100 is 100W. I’m not sure where you plan to set them or what volume level you’re going to listen to them, but they can be very loud.
Multiple connections & inputs – The A100 is a versatile speakers system, as it can connect to almost every device you can think of, either with wires or wirelessly.
At the back of the active speaker, you will find all the possible connections you can come up to connect these speakers, including AUX, USB, optic, 3.5mm, and of course the wireless Bluetooth connection.
Subwoofer output – In my opinion, the A100 stand on their own, and offers great bass power. But, if for some reason you wish to transform the 2.0 setup into a 2.1 setup, you can do that, as the Airpulse A100 offers a subwoofer output.
Various accessories – Airpulse provides with the package all the cables and relevant accessories that I would expect them to use with the speakers. All the accessories seem of good quality.
I’m sure there are some cables that could be of better quality, but the overall feeling is didn’t save here.
To avoid fingerprints when handling the speakers you can use a pair of gloves that Airpulse included as well. I don’t see myself using them.
Additionally, Airpulse included a triangular gray dense foam desk stand. Once the stands are in place, the sound that comes from the A100 is directed up. This, in my opinion, adds to the overall sound experience.
Easy installation – As mentioned above, the wireless Bluetooth connection and all the provided accessories make the Airpulse A100 easy to setup right from the box.
This is a big advantage in comparison to more expensive HiFi audio systems that usually require installation work.
The cons:
The overall price – The Airpulse A100 is relatively expensive, with a tag price of $799.99. Therefore, these speakers are not suitable for everyone.
But the price is relative here since AirPulse is aiming for audiophiles who want Hi-Fi speakers that combine great audio, great design, wireless capabilities, and a premium feel.
And if you compare them to other Hi-Fi premium speakers, they probably will rank among the better alternatives.
The Bluetooth version – The BT version of the A100 is 4.1, which is OK, but still outdated. I wish Airpulse would offer the A100 with the updated Bluetooth 5.0 version soon, as they do with the newer Airpulse A80 active wireless speakers.
A simple remote control – The A100 is equipped with a small wireless remote control. It is possible to turn the speakers on & off, toggle between all the available connections and control the volume level, including muting the speakers completely.
It controls the volume independently of the volume level you have selected on the back of the active speaker.
However, it doesn’t control the bass or treble levels, and it requires a clear field when facing the active speaker or else it won’t work.
User Manual:
FAQ:
Q: What battery type is used with the Airpulse A100 remote control?
A: The battery type is CR2032 3V
Additional photos:
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