Four stereo compact speakers tested

Stereo compact speakers tested


Picture gallery


It is no longer a secret that most modern flat-screen televisions display super images, but the sound quality leaves a lot to be desired. In fact, it is a tremendous challenge for the sound engineers to conjure a bass-strong sound reproduction with the picture-makers from partial housings, which are barely two centimeters flat. It is known to require a few liters of housing volume and an adequate low / mid-tone chassis.


The hearing test


Today's largely frameless TV sets exacerbate the precarious situation: Small loudspeakers with barely four centimeters in diameter have to sit behind and radiate indirectly over the back wall to the listener. Since the television experience not only lives from the picture, but also from the sound, there is a need for action here. Especially if you want to stream music from the Internet via the TV.


Conclusion


Two Blu-ray complete systems tested


There remains only the option: Audio upgrade. This means you must either add active boxes, which are directly controlled by the line output of the TV, or an amplifier box combination. If it is not equal to a home cinema, then it is enough for the good sound a pair of stereo compact boxes. In the price range of 700 to 800 euros, you get really good sound transducers, which also leave nothing to be desired in the case of music performances - from manufacturers who understand their craft.


In view of the technical finesse of all candidates, we were eager to listen to the hearing test. The two smaller loudspeakers of ELAC and KEF were the first to go through the listening stage. At the same time, sound differences and preferences were made: while the ELAC boxes played their way through their analytical, best-performing gait, the KEF pair scored with a closed, effortless visualization of the acoustic event

Four surround speaker sets in test


Small, intimate ensembles were able to place the tonally rather warm-timed KEF boxes with the best picture in front of the hearing jury. The Kiel smallboxes were more reminiscent of detail-loving studios, which showed relentlessly all the errors of the recording.


Between Heco and Nubert less clear differences could be heard. The Heco boxes with their high efficiency played forward and were very dynamic, but sometimes a bit nervous. Also the rich bass fundament convinced. The Nubert couple scored the most with their calm, unobtrusive and always correct style.


Here, there was no tonal preference, in all frequency bands it had almost the full control over the incoming tone signal. Not only the bass precision, but also the neutral mid-range and the high-frequency sector without a set-up luster.


From an objective point of view, Nubert is the test winner. Subjectively, each of the other three candidates has its merits.


Download: Table


Elac BS 184 (800 Euro), Heco Celan GT 302 (800 Euro), KEF R100 (800 Euro), Nubert nuLine 34 (670 Euro)