Audio Pro Addon C3 Portable Multiroom Speaker - Grey

Product Information

Audio Pro CCO Jens Henriksen claims the product name was chosen to indicate “the same winning concept as before, only better”. The original has undergone a few tweaks, rather than wholesale change: it keeps its pair of 2cm tweeters, split by a 9cm woofer, as well as its familiar boombox-style chassis, but carries a redesigned reflex port to the rear for optimised bass response. Included in our initial test were the Award-winning and still class-leading Addon C5 speaker, its larger (and even more sonically talented) sibling the Addon C10– a wireless speaker Award-winner in its own right in 2018 – and the Link 1 (whose job it is to connect existing hi-fi components or wireless speakers into the chain). Audio is really strong, too: bigger, punchier and louder than you’d expect from such a small box. Play Juiceby Lizzo and the Micro 2 does justice to the song’s upbeat tempo with the singer's vocals vibrantly portrayed. Midrange in particular is dealt with in a much more appealing manner than anything else we’ve seen at this price. In short, if you're looking for a portable, multi-room setup with impressive sound quality, the Addon C3 wireless speaker is the one for you.

Though there is a pair of unknown quantities in the Audio Pro line-up as far as we’re concerned – the Addon C-Sub can help those smaller speakers delve deeper into the low frequencies, while the A40 is set to receive a wider release following its design for the company’s 40th anniversary– our time spent with the rest of the company’s speakers allows us to confidently celebrate it as the best-sounding multi-room suite available for the money. Change the symbols so the speaker to the left of you is indicated by L. The right speaker should also be changed so it shows the R symbol. It is the use of a BMR, or Balanced Mode Radiator, tweeter that is most canny, however. Among its many benefits, this flatter-faced driver has the ability to offer wider dispersion than a traditional tweeter – up to 180º in fact – and so can make the most of the A10’s cylindrical form, making it far less fussy when it comes to positioning.

At What Hi-Fi? we comprehensively test and review every product we recommend, from soundbars to speakers, headphones and TVs. And it's no different for Sonos alternatives. Once you've narrowed down your search, it's time to draw up a shortlist of contenders. There should be something for everyone here... FAQ What's the difference between wireless and Bluetooth speakers? By adding proper multi-room features to its fantastic Addon speakers, Audio Pro has answered many people’s prayers. The C3, C5, and C10 are industry-leading speakers in their own category. Class-leading C5 speakers were well accepted by the public and audio enthusiasts. It has two siblings, C3 is the smaller and portable one, C10 is the biggest of the bunch. In this review, we will talk about the multiroom lineup and share our verdict after testing the audio products. Speakers The Audio Pro Addon C5 not only has excellent sound but also has a lot of useful features. The Audio Pro Addon C5 is first and foremost a multiroom speaker. That means it can connect to other Audio Pro speakers and be controlled by a smartphone app. We considered the software to be very user-friendly, and while it can be a little sluggish at times, it performs admirably overall. Since the individual music is managed by your favorite listening service, you won’t waste much time in the Audio Pro app. What Hi-Fi? said:Sonos might be among the best in the business, but it isn't your only option if you want to go multi-room.

Given that the Flip 5 is a past What Hi-Fi? Award winner, it will come as little surprise to learn that the Flip 6 is another resoundingly five-star product. We might have thought we’d be advising JBL to rework the Flip by now – add a few more features, change it up a bit to keep up with the competition – but instead, we are left praising the sonic chops of a proposition that offers extra durability (it is now IP67 water- and dust-proof, over the waterproof-only IPX7 Flip 5) as well as an extra ounce of space within its trademark zealous and musical presentation.Yes, it's still 'just' a Bluetooth speaker – but what a great-sounding Bluetooth speaker it is. Its case is made more difficult when you consider that the Addon C3 is currently available for just slightly more outlay – and for that you get wi-fi compatibility and, as it turns out, a more engaging performance. The only downside is a battery life lasting half as long, but that's a compromise we’d be willing to make in return for its impeccable sound. Verdict The deep integration with Apple’s ecosystem also makes it blissfully easy to set up. Paired with an iPhone all you have to do is scan for the speaker and run through a few on-screen commands to get it fully up and running and integrated with your smart home setup. The entire process only took us a few minutes. Whether you want something cheaper than Sonos, or simply offering a different set of features (such as hi-res audio or Bluetooth across the range), we've rounded up the best Sonos alternatives on the market. And many of them might just suit you better... On the other hand, Sonos One, with a cylindrical shape, looks classy, compact, and perfect as a smart speaker.

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The Play:5 comes with 3 tweezers, and that provides incredible sound throw and impressive bass. The sound quality of Play:5 is not in question at all. Like every other Sonos speaker, the Sonos Play:5 is pretty simple. It can also be kept horizontally or vertically, and it adjusts to the internal processing accordingly, making it the smartest among the smart speakers. Another Award for Audio Pro is barely news anymore, but the fact this year the Drumfire displaced the Naim Mu-so – a product almost double the price we once heralded as the nearest to hi-fi we’d heard from a wireless speaker – as our most expensive champion in 2018 is proof it is operating on a different level to anything else around it. The bugs are neither constant nor devastating, but the odd stutter and hang – particularly when pairing or splitting speakers – gets annoying in a short time. When choosing a Bluetooth speaker, the first thing you should ask yourself after setting a budget is what you want from it. Does the speaker need to be portable and versatile enough to use both indoors and outdoors? Or are you happy with a mains-powered speaker that can fill a big room with brilliant audio? What this all translates into is vastly improved sound, and while the Sonos One was mono only, the Era 100 distinguishes itself by providing a superb stereo experience. The bass is deeper and fuller, there's more clarity and detail throughout and even at higher volume, timing is excellent and the tonal balance is wonderfully even. It's predominantly a stationary, use-at-home type of product, but the Era 100's Bluetooth connectivity gives it more flexibility in use and makes it eligible for a spot on this list.

However, it disappoints with its poor and slow working app, poor connectivity with wifi and doesn’t sync with Bluetooth as well at times. Talking about its sound quality, it’s superb, neutral, and easy to blend in, but it does not work as best for a wireless speaker. If all you want from a decent outdoor speaker is portability and affordability, you really couldn't do much better than the excellent Tribit Stormbox Micro 2. A tiny, satchel-friendly Bluetooth speaker, this is easily one of the best we’ve tested at this meagre price point. Both Bose and Sonos offer speakers and soundbars that can talk to each other wirelessly to create a multi-room system. Our tests have shown Sonos' devices have come out on top overall, thanks to the reasons listed above. But Bose does make some excellent speakers, while its noise-cancelling headphones are some of the best in the business.Hurricanes, sound issues and religious repression be damned: Indonesia's Voice Of Baceprot reign triumphant on their debut US tour: "The world awaits their encore" Each comprises the 'koala bear' driver configuration that has become these speakers’ distinguishing feature, with a pair of 2cm soft dome tweeters and mid/bass drivers (and reflex ports, incidentally) growing in line with the cabinet. It works a treat, too, delivering a pleasingly comfortable yet authoritative performance that you'd be happy listening to all day. Throw in its classy, well-made design, easy-to-use operation and the bonus of Alexa, and you're looking at a Bluetooth speaker sequel that has very much been worth the wait. Baroque 'n' roll stars: Britain's most exciting new bands - The Last Dinner Party and Picture Parlour - unite for homecoming celebrations in the capital Listening to Apple Music’s Dolby Atmos version of The 1 by Taylor Swift, the vocals hold a wonderful clarity and warmth. Really pushing it with SBTRKT’s Trials Of The Past in Apple Lossless quality, the speaker delivers equally precise audio and avoids falling victim to sibilance, which is a common issue we encounter playing the song on speakers this price. The new HomePod has boundless energy; its enthusiasm is infectious, its rhythmic drive always exciting and engaging.

Audio Pro has made its mark on the multi-room market in a short space of time. We're big fans of the Swedish company's wireless speakers, which look and sound superb, and together they make an excellent Sonos alternative.The new Addon T3+ remains a very fine option for those keen to have 12 hours of outdoor music at full volume, even if it has fallen somewhat foul of Audio Pro’s high-risk strategy.