Axiom Audio today announced a Kickstarter campaign to launch a revolutionary portable, wireless, multi-room Wi-Fi speaker called AxiomAir. The $800 speaker is expected to be released October 2015, but backers can contribute to this project now to get the speaker for $475.
“AxiomAir is a fundamental reimagining of the portable wireless speaker,” said Ian Colquhoun, Axiom founder and President. “We set out to ensure compatibility with the widest range of devices and systems possible. The problem with many of the wireless solutions people currently use is that they lock listeners into a single system, and that doesn’t work in a world where people use many different music libraries and devices – including smartphones, tablets, laptops and servers – to store music files. AxiomAir makes it easy to access your music wherever it is.”
Axiom says Bluetooth is not an ideal choice since it compresses the sound quality, has limited range, does not allow more than one user at a time, and will not allow you to control multiple speakers in multiple rooms from one interface.
AxiomAir is Wi-Fi based and has a state-of-the-art DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) built in which allows playback of files up to the highest 24/192 resolution. It has three times the range of Bluetooth, allows multiple users to be connected at the same time, and allows multiple speakers all over your home to be controlled from any smartphone, tablet, or computer in your home. AxiomAir was designed to join local Wi-Fi networks or function as its own Wi-Fi hotspot when out of range of the network. Multiple users can join the hotspot at the same time and the optional batteries last up to 18 hours.
With its massive output of 150 watts RMS it, delivers 20 times the power of most portable speakers currently being offered; the first truly high-output, high-fidelity portable sound system.
AxiomAir is perfect for a party. Friends and family can play music stored on their smartphones directly on AxiomAir without having to load songs into your library, keeping the party going.
AxiomAir sound systems can be deployed in multiple rooms throughout your home and controlled individually or as groups from any phone, tablet, or computer in your home. Best of all you do not need to move your songs to a dedicated library for this to work.
The Karaoke version is ideal for a Karaoke Party or as a portable meeting room sound system, delivering crystal clear sound with no feedback or distortion.
AxiomAir is future-proof by design. While most portable speaker systems consist of a microprocessor running a dedicated program, AxiomAir has a fully functional Raspberry Pi computer built in. The operating system can be updated with future features from a button on the interface.
AxiomAir also maximizes user design options: there are over 100 finishes available, or customers can specify paint colors or even pictures on the top – all without adding significantly to delivery time because AxiomAir is manufactured in Canada. But what really makes AxiomAir a game-changer is what’s on the inside – and how it can bring people together again to share an audio experience: “To me, what makes Axiom Audio speakers really great is that they don’t sound like speakers,” said Don Tapscott, one of the world’s leading authorities on innovation, media and the economic and social impact of technology. “They sound like music.”
Price and Availability
AxiomAir is expected to be available October 2015 for $799. The first 200 Kickstarter backers can get it for $475 (expired).
Update: AxiomAir was released June 2016, direct from AxiomAudio.com.
Pricing for options are:
- Black or white body/grille/top: No extra charge
- Chrome grille +$20 ($12 for Kickstarter backer)
- Custom wood top +$50 ($35 for Kickstarter backer)
- Custom picture or multi-color top +$80 ($56 for Kickstarter backer)
- Custom painted body +$100 ($70 for Kickstarter backer)
- Battery +$99 ($68 for Kickstarter backer)
- Karaoke/Microphone +$199 ($140 for Kickstarter backer)
Update
This product was renamed AxiomAir N3 and now sells for $849.
