Subj : The 'Monolith x Aluminum' wireless speaker looks like a minimalis
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Mon Jul 01 2024 11:45:05

The 'Monolith x Aluminum' wireless speaker looks like a minimalist, 
sustainable masterpiece

Date:
Mon, 01 Jul 2024 10:40:28 +0000

Description:
The new Monolith x Aluminium is a high-end portable speaker with a very 
distinct design

FULL STORY
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Swedish audio brand Nocs Lab has announced a new high-end speaker based on 
its flagship Monolith, and it's the Monolith x Aluminium (via our friends at 
Wallpaper ). It looks like no other speaker: CNC-cut from a single block of 
aluminum and then sand-blasted and anodized, it "embodies a harmonious blend 
of minimalist design, audio excellence and environmental responsibility," 
according to Nocs Lab. 

The environmental angle is clearly important to the firm: aluminum is 
recyclable, and using it in this version of the Monolith (there's another, 
larger version) enabled the firm to avoid the use of any plastics: that 
zen-like design means there's no unnecessary frills or wasted materials. Nocs 
Labs says it's also designed to be fully repairable too, to ensure an extra 
long life. 

Thankfully, it's a lot smaller than it looks in the photos, which suggest 
some kind of 2001 -style giant: it's small enough to carry in a 
reasonable-sized bag, and weighs a surprisingly light for a big metal block 
4kg / 8.8 lbs. (Image credit: Nocs Lab) Monolith Aluminium speaker: key 
features, pricing and availability 

The Monolith x Aluminium takes the same design cues as its bigger sibling, 
the $1,500 Monolith, but instead of having the five drivers prominently 
assembled on the front they're all concealed inside that aluminum casing. 

The frequency response is from 39Hz to 23kHz, and there are two full-range 
two-inch drivers with dual neodymium magnet motors, two 4-inch woofers with 
vented dual neodymium magnets and ferro-fluid cooling, and a 0.8-inch 
tweeter. They're driven by closed-loop Class D amps, delivering 45W to each 
speaker, for a total 225W. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery is 5,000mAh 
with a claimed life of up to 15 hours of continuous playtime, which is lower 
than many the best Bluetooth speakers , but not bad. 

Wireless is dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 with AAC and 
SBC, and it streams over Bluetooth, via Spotify Connect and via Tidal 
Connect. Nocs says that more streamers will be added soon. It's a bit 
disappointing that there's no aptX or other Hi-Res Audio support wirelessly, 
but it doesn't matter too much if it sounds good. 

The Monolith x Aluminium will be shipping in November 2024 and pre-orders are 
open now with early customers getting an alcantara sleeve to protect it. The 
price is $1000 / 850 / AU$1,405 and you can choose between silver and matte 
black finishes. (Image credit: Nocs Lab) You might also like Ultimate Ears' 
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cheap Bluetooth speakers to soundtrack your summer Bose SoundLink Max review 
: a punchy Bluetooth speaker to make your party pop



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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/audio/wireless-bluetooth-speakers/the-monolith-x-alu
minum-wireless-speaker-looks-like-a-minimalist-sustainable-masterpiece


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