Wireless loudspeakers offer a number of advantages that give them enormous appeal to music listeners regardless of their budget; high-end loudspeaker manufacturers have seen the writing on the wall (that would be Sonos) and spent the past five years developing wireless active alternatives to their traditional passive models in order to attract new blood.
Well-regarded manufacturers of traditional passive speakers such as PSB, Bowers & Wilkins, Sonus faber, ELAC, Triangle, Dynaudio, and KEF have clearly seen the light and not only have a growing range of products already — but there is a lot in the pipeline for Q4 2024 and beyond.
The growth of the category has attracted the attention of smaller brands such as Swedish manufacturer, Nocs, which have introduced its Mini and Monolith wireless loudspeakers into the market.
Tip: The Mini and Monolith are designed in Sweden and assembled in Estonia.
Shared Features
- Non-Traditional Physical Cabinet Design: The first thing you notice about the Nocs Mini and Monolith is their non-traditional physical design in which the speaker drivers are laid out in a rectangle rather than a more traditional vertical layout.
- Nocs Studio Sound: Streaming all your music content with Nocs Studio Sound.
- Spotify and TIDAL Connect: You can stream music from Spotify and TIDAL to the Monolith or Mini directly from your smartphone or other compatible device.
Tip: We have seen this design approach in their very high-end Stratton Acoustics Elypsis 1512 loudspeakers. However, that is where the similarity ends. Nocs is going for a different customer base at much more reasonable prices with these models.
- Easy Setup: The NOCs Design Music App (Android/iOS) provides easy setup and control of the Monolith and Mini.
- Multi-Speaker Connectivity: Connect up to 8 Monoliths or Minis wireless to expand your listening experience throughout the house.
- NAT (Nocs Amplitude Tuning): This feature provides consistent sound over the entire amplitude range.
- ScanSpeak DISCOVERY Drivers: Full range or mid-woofer drivers with coated fiberglass cones and neodymium magnets
- Diaphragm Material: PP composite with elastomer.
- Case Material: PP composite, braced.
Comparison
| Nocs Mini | Nocs Monolith | |
| Speaker Type | 5-Way | |
| Cabinet Construction | CNC machined MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard). | CNC-machined birch plywood |
| Full Range Drivers | 2 x 3.5-inches | 3 x 3.5-inches |
| Woofer Drivers | 2 x 6-inches (vented/bass reflex) | |
| Subwoofer | Custom-tuned subwoofer module with a passive radiator. Neodymium magnet, long stroke subwoofer driver. | |
| Frequency Response (+/- 3dB) | 40Hz to 20kHz | 30 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Amplifier Type | Class D | Class D |
| Power Output | 110 watts | 150 watts |
| Maximum SPL (at 1 meter) | 94 dB | Not provided |
| Bluetooth 5.0 | ACC, SBC | ACC, SBC |
| Apple AirPlay 2 | Yes | Yes |
| Spotify Connect | Yes | Yes |
| Tidal Connect | Yes | Yes |
| Nocs Design Music App | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Multiroom Connectivity | Up to 8 Minis | Up to 8 Monoliths |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 270 x 230 x 106 mm (10.6 x 9 x 3.9 inches) | 550 x 380 x 180 mm (21.5 x 15 x 7 inches) |
| Weight | 3.3 kg (7.9 lbs) | 12 kg (26.45 lbs) |
Pricing & Availability
The Nocs Design Mini is priced at $800 each and the Monolith is priced at $1,500 each. Both speakers are available through the Nocs Design website.
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