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Ashdown Engineering could also be finest identified for its amplifiers, however who higher to create earbuds and audio system to make your ears actually sing?
Based in 1997 by former Hint Elliot managing director Mark Gooday, this small British household firm initially centered on amplifying bass gamers till it developed its first guitar amp in 2001. Their amps have been utilized by members of U2, Foo Fighters and Black Sabbath, however there’s extra to the corporate than stacks, combos and results pedals. Its Meters Music vary of headphones have a powerful retro look and a working VU meter on every earcup, in addition to wonderful sound.
Now, Ashdown has made its first enterprise into true wi-fi expertise, launching the Meters LINX system on Indiegogo. A mixture of wi-fi earbuds and a desktop speaker system you’ll be able to take with you on days out, it’s a distinctive-looking set of audio gear, with a big and absolutely working illuminated analogue VU meter within the base unit, which additionally acts as a charging case for the earbuds, and has playback and Bluetooth pairing controls constructed into its prime.
The desktop audio system’ classic look belies the excessive expertise inside. They’re fully wi-fi and have built-in rechargeable batteries, so you’ll be able to place them wherever you want, as much as 10m aside, and their custom-tuned 2.5-inch full vary drivers make sure the sound is dynamic and clearly outlined. They’re splash-resistant too, hitting the IPX4 customary, so that you don’t want to fret about being caught within the rain exterior. Bluetooth pairing makes use of voice prompts, so that you received’t be scratching your head attempting to interpret sequences of flashing lights.
Robust battery life provides three hours of music playback from one hour of charging for the audio system, which could be charged by way of a USB-C port, whereas the earbuds will final for six hours, and the charging case can be utilized to increase this by an extra 24 hours. The buds are additionally IPX5 rated, for enhanced water resistance that may stand as much as extra sustained wet day use.
And as you’d count on, the earbuds are made to rigorous requirements. They’re constructed round a dual-driver system, with a custom-designed and balanced armature driver coupled with a 7mm dynamic driver to provide the low-frequency response that some in-ear headphones lack. The Linx TWS (True Wi-fi System) earbuds use the identical Qualcomm Adaptive APTX codec as Ashdown’s flagship Meters OV-1-B-C headphones, offering ultra-low latency HD audio, with wealthy bass, pristine excessive frequencies and an in depth, well-defined midrange.
Contact controls are located on each the left and proper ear buds, putting full management instantly on the person’s fingertips. Options embody play/pause, quantity up/down, skip observe and extra in addition to. An on-board movement sensor detects whenever you take the earbuds off, placing them into standby and optimising battery cost. And cleverly, in the event you place the earbuds into their charging case, the audio system can seamlessly take over playback, excellent for whenever you get residence.
The signature light-up VU meter constructed into all Ashdown’s amps and headphones is totally purposeful, giving a real-time readout of the music you’re enjoying. Engineering the analogue VU meter to answer digital music was a tough activity, however price it to maintain such a memorable classic aesthetic alive, and because the Meters model is actually named after the flickering degree needle, it needed to be there. All of the design and engineering for the Meters LINX system is dealt with in-house by a staff of simply 9 individuals at Ashdown Engineering in Essex, with a concentrate on repairability relatively than being a disposable product. They’re engineered from the bottom as much as final.
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