The CI space exploded during the COVID pandemic and there is no question that in-wall/in-ceiling and outdoor loudspeakers have become a very important category for high-end manufacturers.
For some manufacturers, the growth of the multi-room audio category has forced them to pivot away from their traditional customers and go after a new generation of music listeners and movie watchers who want a better quality audio experience at home — they just don’t want to see it.
One of the drawbacks of high-end multi-room audio is that the cost of entry is almost never low and almost always requires the installation services of a custom integrator.
That is also not inexpensive and our experience over the years with some of them has been mixed. The better ones have a strong understanding of room acoustics and how multi-zone amplifiers, loudspeakers, racks, sources, lighting, HVAC, and home security need to be integrated to make it all work.
You also want someone with a strong track record of success, excellent post-installation customer service, and a reputation for not dragging out jobs and leaving the back of your rack looking like a mess.
There is also another type of customer who only wants to add audio to a bedroom, home office, or even a kitchen and doesn’t want to spend a fortune on equipment or installation services.
Q Acoustics E300A
Q Acoustics’ E300A Amazon Alexa In-Ceiling Hi-Fi Amplifier is making its debut at CEDIA 2024 and our first impression is that it offers something unique for exactly that type of customer who desires the path of least resistance.
The E3000A proves that integrating audio systems into a home or property doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated to install. Driven-by a high-quality stereo amplifier, the E300A is optimized for Q Acoustics’ wide range of in-ceiling and in-wall speakers, but can also work with other brands.
It is capable of powering up to four speakers in the same room or across multiple rooms.
Key Features
- Convenience of integrated voice control via Amazon Alexa.
- Powerful high quality audio amplifier, pair with two or four Q Acoustics in-ceiling or in-wall speakers.
- Can form the heart of a smart home and multi-room audio system.
- Wi-Fi enabled for convenient retrofit installation, just add power and speakers of choice.
- Compatible with popular music services Amazon Multi-Room Audio, Apple AirPlay 2, TIDAL Connect and Spotify Connect.
- Includes Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless streaming of music from compatible devices.
- Certified 60-minute fire rating, no fire hood is required.
- Audio input for TV sound.
Installation
E300A is a simple and elegant solution, the main unit and speakers all fitted in the ceiling during building work or renovation, while it is also suited to pre-fitting into new builds or extensions. A certified fire-resistant rating of 60 minutes means E300A maintains a fire barrier without the need to fit a separate fire hood. Once installed, E300A is a discreet, zero-clutter solution to your smart home audio requirements.
E300A is suitable for installation in any room in the home and is just as capable of powering a single-room set-up or expansive multi-room system as it is driving an entire smart home habitat.
Integrated Amazon Alexa voice-control is activated by three far-field microphones, ensuring 360-degree coverage across even the largest open-plan living space.
Just like many other Alexa-enabled products, E300A features an LED light ring to confirm voice interaction – and its surface-mounted light sensor ensures the LED ring is set to the correct intensity depending on the ambient light of your room. Use E300A’s power of Amazon Alexa with other compatible smart home products such as light fittings, thermostats, and door entry.
In addition to voice, a supplied remote control gives quick and easy control of E300A together with a free iOS or Android Q Net App which is used for WI-FI setup as well as EQ (bass, treble, balance) and source selection.
E300A includes a combined mini Toslink socket for optical digital audio and 3.5mm stereo analogue jack, this input is manually selected using the remote control or App. Simply fit a suitable length optical digital cable from the TV to enjoy hi-fi-quality TV sound.
Flexible speaker options
Driven-by a high-quality stereo amplifier, E300A delivers 2 x 25 Watts of power at 6 ohms – optimized for Q Acoustics’ wide range of in-ceiling and in-wall speakers.
It is capable of powering up to four speakers in the same room or across multiple rooms. Additionally, any pair of passive speakers, including cabinet designs between 6 – 8 ohms can be connected.
Initial Impressions
The Q Acoustics E300A is intriguing from the perspective that it offers a compact Class D amplifier combined with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.2 support along with compatibility with Apple AirPlay 2, TIDAL Connect and Spotify Connect.
Alexa voice support also makes it east for users to control the system and we like that the amplifier can be used with any compatible in-ceiling or in-wall loudspeakers.
This package (with or without their Qi65C loudspeakers) could be a great point of entry into the multi-room audio space for consumers who concerned about long installs and a huge bill.
Pricing & Availability
Q Acoustics E300A is available for pre-order now, priced:
- E300A – £599 / €749
- E300A & stereo pair of Qi65C in-ceiling speakers – £749 / €949
- E300A will be available in the US in early 2025, price tbc.
Available from www.qacoustics.co.uk and local independent dealers.
*2 x 4M speaker cables and 1.3M power cables supplied.
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