Epoz aktimate micro manual

Input impedance is10kohm, the toroid transformer is a generous VA, and each speaker is xxmm wxhxd. Attractively finished in piano lacquer ivory white, these tidy looking compact loudspeakers had neat, well fitted trim rings around the drivers and a modern grille-less appearance except for a protective mesh over the tweeter. A small pair of field glasses could help read the intrinsically small display of an iPod when inserted in the left hand speaker dock, and the handset's firing angle is very narrow, so good aim is required to home in on the sensor window of the left speaker.

This channel has all the electronics including stereo amplification, connecting to the wholly passive right hand speaker via an economical twin cable. One could point out the potential mismatch effects of one channel being passive and the other carrying all the electronics, with a consequently different internal volume and structure.

One could also query the wisdom of supporting the iPod music source on a inherently vibrating top surface. While neither factor is exactly good audiophile practice, they seem acceptable enough compromises in view of the reasonable price. The supplied soft foam rubber feet could support the speakers on a shelf or desk top, but these speakers have at least the potential for true hi-fi performance and therefore deserve at least some care in positioning to achieve a clean sound and a well balanced stereo soundstage.

The Epos style bass driver has a familiar satin finish, mineral-loaded polypropylene cone and a fixed dust cap; the tweeter has a miniature neodymium magnet and25mm alloy dome.

Bass reflex loaded via a good size port on the rear, this may need to be tamed by a sock if the speakers are placed near a wall, to help moderate the resulting bass excess. The speakers use fourth-order passive crossovers, so strictly speaking are 'powered' rather than 'active', the latter designation reserved for designs with a separate amplifier per driver fed from an electronic crossover. Preliminary tests on what turned out to be a first pair revealed a promising enough sound but with a 20dBdeep notch at around the 4kHz crossover frequency see frequency response graph.

Creek thought that this was not correct so sent another pair, where the notch was fixed, but they also sounded rather different; inspection revealed a crossover component of significantly different value, of which more later.

Performance Used out in free space on good quality stands, our first samples of the Mini sounded somewhat lightweight and forward, with a moderately 'dissociated' treble. One such company is Epoz, of Australia. Epoz was started in , co-founded by Mike Creek, of Creek and Epos fame, to distribute the Creek and Epos brand, and in they began designing the first AktiMate product.

Today there are three models in the range, consisting of the Mini, the Maxi, and the new Micro, which is reviewed here. Epoz say the AktiMate Micros are true hi-fi speakers with quality built-in amplification and can be the basis of a true hi-fi system. They say the inclusion of an iPod dock is an added feature rather than the main attraction.

The AktiMate Micro review sample came in gloss red black and white are also available and look absolutely gorgeous. Measuring x x mm W,H,D they come supplied with a length of speaker cable terminated with banana plugs, power cable, USB cable, 3. In the top of the active speaker, under a clever flip-up lid, is an iPod dock which accepts most iPods and iPhones — these will charge while connected.

The woofer is a 4-inch Kevlar driver and the magnetically shielded tweeters are 25mm soft dome, neodymium magnets. A universal power supply means you can use these anywhere in the world without needing to change the voltage. Go play some tunes. I connected the Micros up to my laptop in its usual residence on the desktop in my office space, which is actually a small alcove with an old Singer sewing machine table for a desk. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies.

Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence. Read more about how we test. Sign up below to get the latest from What Hi-Fi? Home Reviews. Our Verdict. For Evenly balanced tone Large scale sound Spacious and detailed Good build and finish.

Against Lacklustre dynamics Need more subtlety and enthusiasm. The Aktimates are spacious, well-behaved speakers, but we want more excitement and fun. Cons - Lacklustre dynamics - Need more subtlety and enthusiasm.