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Astell and Kern have dominated the digital audio player (DAP) industry for a considerable length of time, and in the year 2022, they are currently in the process of expanding their operations into uncharted lands. Not only will they have introduced their very first truly wireless earphone this year, but they will also have introduced their very first speaker.
The opportunity to hear that speaker for myself not too long ago, and I’d want to offer my opinion on whether or not it’s a useful system. The ACRO BE100 is a speaker that retails for $500 and features Bluetooth capabilities. It is designed to bring high-fidelity sound into your house. Is it possible for Astell and Kern to succeed in this new endeavour.
Astell&Kern Acro BE100 specifications
| Wireless protocols | Bluetooth |
| Height | 16.4 cm (6.4 in). Width: 26.1 cm (10.2 in). Depth: 17.1 cm (6.7 in). |
| Weight | 3.2 kilos (7 pounds) |
| Speakers | One 4-inch (about 10 cm) woofer and two 1.5-inch |
Astell&Kern Acro BE100 review: Design
The Acro BE100 is a big box that is 6.8 inches tall, 10.3 inches wide, and 6.5 inches deep. It weighs 7.1 pounds and has a grain-leather pattern on the outside and an angular speaker grille. Like the blimp-shaped Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin, both the black and white models stand out as a design piece in a room (8.3 by 25.6 by 7.6 inches, 14.3 pounds). The bottom panel has four strong rubber feet that stop vibrations from moving the speaker. You can buy this Bluetooth speaker from its official website.
Astell&Kern Acro BE100 review: Sound quality
The fact that it needs to be plugged in at all times makes it hard to carry around, but the internals do need power to make your ears dance with joy. Even though it doesn’t have direct Wi-Fi support like Sonos speakers or AirPlay, it does have Bluetooth, and the support for 24-bit aptX HD (48khz) and LDAC (96khz) codecs gives it the best wireless sound quality possible.
Astell&Kern Acro BE100 review: Connectivity
Even though Astell & Kern may have been worried about the quality of other ways to connect, like Wi-Fi, and decided not to add it, the speaker looks like it was made to have the best sound quality possible. This speaker is a straightforward Bluetooth speaker without any smarts or an integrated digital assistant, but it is a Bluetooth speaker better than any other we have ever seen, heard, or used before, so there’s that. Also, there is no Astell & Kern app to control the equaliser, which is strange since they have one for their new wireless earbuds, but it is not needed.
Final Words
There are times when you want good sound quality and the ease of having a wireless speaker that you can connect to your phone and play your favourite songs from. Astell&Kern ACRO BE100 supports aptX HD and LDAC codecs over Bluetooth, which should put it at the top of your list if sound quality and wireless convenience are important to you. And if you really want to make the most of it, you can always use the 3.5mm AUX port to connect your high-quality audio devices.
Astell&Kern Acro BE100 Ratings
Pros
- Sophisticated design
- Built-in treble and bass EQ
Cons
- Expensive
FAQs
What are the key features of the Astell&Kern Acro BE100?
The Acro BE100 has a power output of up to 4 watts per channel, a design that is perfectly balanced, a range of input options that include USB, optical, and coaxial, and it also has dual AK4490 DAC chips. All of these features come standard.
What headphones are compatible with the Astell&Kern Acro BE100?
The Acro BE100 is capable of providing power to a diverse selection of headphones, ranging from high-impedance over-ear headphones to sensitive in-ear monitors.
How does the Astell&Kern Acro BE100 sound?
The sound that is produced by the Acro BE100 is crisp and detailed, and it has an expansive soundstage and precise imaging. In addition to that, the tonality is soft and unforced.