The target group of the device is clearly defined: Apple users who want for your iMac, your iPad and / or iPhone a stylish compact sound system. And just like the devices from Cupertino is the a7 nicely packaged, but sparsely furnished delivered: device, a remote control, power cable and Quick Start Guide.
The inclusion in the own network via the free iTunes app proved problematic in my case. After a few minutes the A7 ready to play.
However, the first application was sobering. Cutting heights, a spongy bass and no space left the instrument sound like a fifty-year-old portable radio. And here the same note for the impatient: The A7 needs orderly break-in period. This is quite common in boxing. The chassis will be moved before they deliver their sound potential.
Also, the part should be properly positioned. Due to the rear bass reflex output it produces decent bass and requires space around them in order not to roar. Funny In this context the lifestyle photos with which B & W promotes the A7. Alcoves that look like made for a7 are achieving satisfactory sound results. And because the device has no battery, it also requires a power outlet ;-)
But perhaps want one or the other and proposing the part only as decoration ...
Is that part once correctly and got his break-in period, you can have fun with the A7 tidy.
But a true high-end sound you do not get taken for granted. For the chassis, the box is easy to compact, too small. Music playback is based on physical laws and also B & W can not work miracles. A real stage or superior stereo landscapes can not generate the A7.
Nonetheless's amazing how much sound comes from the A7. In particular, the bass is really surprising: Deep tired and with neat punch. But this is also a problem of rich bass a7. Because especially in the Airplay-operation he swallows a lot of details of the high frequency range and gives the music a rather dark basic character. You have to like.
I had the Marantz Consolette ordered me parallel, to make sure that my 800 invested in the best possible and thus get a completely different listening experience. The Consolette is accentuated in the heights and revealed much more detail and brilliance. But it lacks the deep bass. But who puts on anyway electro, pop or hip hop or no value like to enjoy rather quiet music, should definitely start a comparison. Both units were in certain shooting points and disclosed in other their weaknesses. A real winner I could not make out, but both devices were too different. It depends on the personal taste, so I am ultimately stayed with the A7.
It is worth mentioning in this context is the apparent refusal of the "trade press" start a similar comparison. But then they could not simply highlight the strengths of the equipment but would also seriously deal with their weaknesses, what upset potential advertisers. Ever I've noticed in recent months that we should face the adulation of the trade press highly critical.
Update June 2013
The A7 is now for some months with me, time to make a few additional comments:
Meanwhile, the speaker surrounds have properly recorded and clearly gained in quality. The centers are more present, clear treble and the bass still controlled. This results in a nice homogenous overall appearance. Albums that still sue in the first few weeks partly annoying or tiring, can now be heard through easily. Also, the speaker sounds more open and less centered. A stereo playback will highlight not a7 course anyway.
However, I have now found this is the playback quality throughout the house by no means consistent. I clamp my a7 under his arm, for example, to provide sound the terrace, which works fine on the Apple network and my Mac. Do I use for practical control reasons, but my iPhone (via WLAN), there are from time to time small trailer. No idea if this is the A7 or the Apple network, but it's still annoying.
My initial tip to use a USB cable during installation close to the source device, I withdraw. In fact, I see no serious difference between more airplay and USB playback with fresh comparison.
However, the claim on the music signal has grown with higher sound quality. Internet downloads with low bit rate to make compared to lossless rips much less joy.
In my original review, I had forgotten to mention that includes the acquisition of a B & W product a quarter years of membership in the House are "Society of Sound". There you can over the entire term as nearly 40 high-resolution recordings Download (half of them classical). And even if not everything tore me from the stool, some interesting discoveries were still there. A beautiful candy as an encore.
