Whered they find that thing? Active speakers combine all of the traditional components of a stereo system into a pair of speakers. More sophisticated stands might make a further difference, but not at the moderate listening levels implied by working at the computer, with the speakers on the two sides of the monitor. Id also love it if Vanatoo incorporated a way to get some kind of feed back on the current settings of the speaker (sleep mode, DSP, bass, treble, etc.). You wont be sorry!!!! My normal favorite sound qualities from vandersteen/thiel is coherency and from tekton enzo 2.7 is the immediacy. Ive had them in my office for the past few months now. And what a nice feel to the remote. What I got wasmeh. i have used it with the USB connection as well as with an external USB amplifier from my laptop (because my laptop does not put out much volume) that then connects with a 3.5 mm male-to-male. Your pic and links are for Transparent Zeros not ones. You can choose to hook them up through an optical cable, coaxial cable, or just USB. Not sure if the vibration is from the orientation of the passive radiator, or the speakers just being so solid that it's transferring the vibrations instead of absorbing them. My desktop audio system has been my primary listening equipment, other than some excellent headphones powered by an external DAC and amplifier, from JDS Labs. Overall, I cant recommend the speakers highly enough, hopefully Ill have a space large enough to justify their big brothers some day! The Vanatoos were properly packaged with a nice compliment of cords, and the remote is fine. Transparent Zero , Bass notes for such a small speaker, is very tight, and not boomy, Treble, is very clear, midrange voices and instruments are spot on. The A5+s certainly feel like a pair of speakers crafted to meet the demands of todays listeners. Again, for no subwoofer at all, and the diminutive size of the speakers the bass was surprising good, certainly not gut busting, wall shaking bass from a full on subwoofer, but very impressive and usable. I was up and listening in less than 10 minutes. Try These Apps, How to Use an Easy At-Home Testosterone Kit, The Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers of 2023, The Best Instant Cameras That Embrace Nostalgia, The Best MagSafe Battery Packs for Your iPhone, The Best Wireless Earbuds for 2023 (So Far), The Best MagSafe Chargers for Your iPhone 14, The Best Active Speakers (and Which You Should Buy). This is an on-axis measurement with 1/12 smoothing blended into close mic of the woofer at 800Hz and a sum of woofer and passive radiator close mic output at 170Hz. Outstanding customer service! Vanatoo went with a clean design on front, covering up most of the business with a removable front grille. (Theyre on Spotify) Youre welcome! There is definitely something funny going with pricing in my region though. My first experience with Vanatoo was the purchase of their Transparent Zero speakers, that Ive been using on my computer desktop. Are they worth the money? Thank you for the review, Derrick! Easy to eliminate by leaving them activated all the time, but I decided to save a bit of power and live with it. You dont need anything else. Transparent Zeros were easy to set up, right out of the box. Seriously. I could not be any happier with this purchase. Joy! adjustment procedure for the (many) features. Anyway, Ive rambled on for too long a time as it is. After speaking with their salesperson, I decided that Id order a pair. Like many others, I spend a lot of time at the computer. by adding a subwoofer. Well delve into all the tiny technical specifications, giving you all the information you need to know. Fixed, we just added the wrong link -- content is still good, thanks for the feedback! Connecting is a breeze thanks to the Bluetooth control buttonson the wireless remote. by Corey. Vanatoo is proud of the performance and features weve managed to pack into these compact size speakers. Vanatoo brought together the perfect recipie to provide high resolution flat sound using decent quality capable components. For such a simple design, the Transparent Ones are actually quite unique, and definitely worthy of a second glance. by a healthy margin. This measurement looks like shit. I can only imagine how a subwoofer would extend the depth not that I felt I was missing anything. response. I asked and Vanatoo says that a standard straight(not crossover) RJ45 terminated ethernet cable will work in these jacks, so if you own an RJ45 crimper you should be able make custom speaker cable lengths with relative ease. Ill also mention that every detail of these speakers has been thought out to the gnats ass, from the packaging to all the included cables and allen wrench for the handles to the way the speaker covers attach (magnets! th a sub if youre going to be using them to watch movies or listen to a lot of music with deep base. It took some searching because I wanted nice speakers all in one speaker setup without breaking the bank. Declare independence from the British sound! These turned out to be exactly what I was looking for and I could not be any happier. The two biggest audio magazines in the United States both love Vanatoo systems! ENJOY. Another potential annoyance, if in a bedroom, is the bright blue light on the back. I was blown away by the fact that the speakers are bi amped with a 48-watt dedicated amplifier for each 4-inch aluminum woofer and each 1-inch soft dome tweeter (who does that for a speaker under $400). Imaging is first rate. Truth be told, the speakers and sub became overkill for my needs, so in retrospect, I would not have purchased the sub. With that said, though, it isnt without reason. I highly recommend these speakers to anyone who loves listening to music. My main system is a B&K amp paired to a set of Vandersteen 1cs. The experimentation is part of the fun. These T1E speakers are phenomenal and while they were playing at full volume in the living room, I went into the bathroom and experienced the same visceral sensation I would get if I were in a bar bathroom while live music was being played 50 feet away. of B&W 700s, and while maybe not at the same level, the t0s get pretty close(especially when paired with a good sub). The wire Vanatoo included with the Zero uses a heavier than standard network cable 24 gauge wire. Sounds best: In normal configuration (radiator up, flat on the desk) a few inches to a foot away from the wall on a not-too-solid desk (or on the floor oddly) with a sub-woofer blended-in and pointed towards you and the T0s with zero toe-in. All of that, and we havent mentioned the sound yet. This geometry tilts the speaker back when placed on a flat surface, as well as hiding from ears the nasty bits of sound that can reflect off of the top of cabinets. Both of these speakers are very well situated for a desktop setting. Two years after starting this site I finally get around to talking about my stereo. No real risk, right? That was until I came across the Vanatoo Transparent Zero amplified loudspeakers. I am particular about my sound and it is such a sonic pleasure to listen to music in my office with these gems. Ive tried MANY different manufactures computer speakers and these by far exceed my most stringent tests. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Every single person on planet Earth should own a pair of these even if you have a more impressive full size system. I have tried out many different genres of music, and spent over 3 hours listening to all the details, and articulate kicking thumping bass lines. You dont have to fuss around with any sort of clunky setup but instead can hook up an excellent sounding pair of speakers with ease. If you want more thanks to the sub out and DSP magic these pair very well with even inexpensive 8 subs. Bill Q. At that price point, and depending where you live, I would look into a the Triangle Elaras active, Hivi Swan M200MkIII, Edifier S2000MkIII or S1000db, etc. Clearly the designers /engineers put some real thought and care into making these bonkers little monsters sound the best they can for their size. Under the top foam piece are the speakers, firmly nestled in form fitting cutouts in the foam insert, each speaker was double wrapped, first in a clear plastic bag, then in a thicker white protective bag. Were all nodding and murmuring in hushed tones but Im thinking, wow, that really sounds like crap, nothing but bass. I also added a powered subwoofer to enhance the bass. Like to use the Hugo 2 through Zero. Despite the size, too, you actually get a pretty good bass response. However, this is not where I spend my time working and I am not about to try to duplicate this. I didnt realize it then, but this purchase turned me into an audiophile. I also have to say that the amount of bass and deep sounding audio that these speakers put out is really impressive (in my opinion anyway) for the size. The speakers themselves are perfect for a desk setup, providing great sound and are jam packed with features. Their soundstaging and imaging abilities are outstanding. The fact that these are so reasonable and have such a small form factor is mind boggling. Read our review of the Q Acoustics M20 HD, here. system Ive heard for the price. Small and cheap speakers transform into retarded and good Micca COVO-S Review! Size: Active speakers come in all different sizes, ranging from the size of computer-sized speakers to the size of large studio monitors. My first test was watching the Loreena McKennitt Nights from the Alhambra concert DVD on the 2 channel PCM audio option. One of my close friends told me about the Vanatoo t0 and more recently I had the money to invest in these speakers and I am not disappointed. That is never over-bearing, muffled, or lacking in tone. They stay out of the way, they provide an ongoing pleasure (hopefully for many years). This passive radiator really adds weight and authority to all the percussive sound and I can tell you from my 15 years of playing drums, the bass and drum sound are pretty convincing. Nice service! Is that Vanatoo price from their website, because a $500 AUD import fee seems pretty nuts. In a way, Im misusing the T0s but they perform perfectly nevertheless: Im presenting a video at meetings of our conservancy and decided to look for something that could produce a big sound from a relatively small box that I could lug around portably and the Vanatoos came to the rescue! It is usually recommended that passive radiators have twice the area of the active driver, or two radiators per active driver. Truly amazing performance will greet you. Walt R. Fantastic for all the jobs they were meant for Caveats: -I did not configure them for different inputs. Very happy with my purchase. Just get a nice 8 sub and the whole system explodes with deep clean sound. I have two Vanatoo Transparent Zero speakers, one set in my bedroom and another set in an upstairs bedroom used as an office/TV room. For those wandering into this review from the Google, if you want to know if this is a good speaker, yes, it is very good - Click here to go buy it. If you decide within 30 days of receiving your Vanatoo speakers that you are not totally satisfied, you can return them for a complete refund. What Im even more blown away by is the sound stage and imaging. Placement: Small office (10x6 ft) with good sound isolation. I was looking for a pair of small active bookshelve speakers but didnt want to compromise sound quality. I am very pleased with my Transparent Zero speakers and tell evey one about them. The tone controls are basic bass and treble with the "mid buttons" acting as a reset to flat function. Based on my experience over the years, these sound as good a speakers costing 3-4 times. Only thing I can come up with would be very smart design decisions coupled with a DSP amp thereby bypassing the phase distortion and efficiency loss inherent in passive crossovers because I have spent 1000s trying to replicate how your speakers image in a larger living room system to no avail and its getting a bit frustrating. T0 beautiful sound quality in an inexpensive and tiny package. 100% Satisfied! After getting a nice set of headphones, I wanted to get some speakers for my computer setup that would sound equally as good. The Transparent Zero is a sign of where the market is at, only lunatics have proper sized speakers anymore. Bravo! The sound on these blew me away and the connectivity is top notch. The Best Bookshelf Speakers for Your Home Hi-Fi System, The Best New Wireless Speakers That Have Old School Flair, A Beginner's Guide to Home Audio Equipment, What Does Hi-Fi Even Mean Anymore? A few years ago, I remembered listening to a review of the Transparent Zeros by Joshua Valour and began researching them further. KEF released the LS50 Wireless II in late 2020 and they're essentially updated and better-sounding versions of the LS50 Wireless (released in 2018). I know the hobby can eat up wallets and speakers were a thing I stayed away from for a really long time. I firmly believe these guys have the chops to do that if they wanted. Well done Vanatoo, you have created a masterpiece. Multiple physical inputs are a plus as I have two laptops and a synthesizer Id be juggling. Your setup at this years CAF in Rockville, MD was impressive enough that I ordered the Zeros as soon as I got home. Vanatoo's work around is to use a radiator that has twice the xmax of the woofer. This little speaker pair has many inputs connectors for your needs. whodathunk?) After proper balancing, they sound absolutely amazing. Released in 2021, the Q Active 200 is the company's first pair of active speakers. If, instead, you just slap them next to a laptop on a desk or table with you end up with the amazing sound so many people have reported enjoying. to the programming functions. The mids and highs are crisp and clear, too. The hump at 9kHz is going to give the sound just a hint of some sparkle and speed. Just for clarity, Audioengine's A5 isn't active. What are they bad at? Of course one takes a risk since watching a review can no way represent the sound live. None of them were as intelligent as Trasparent Zero. I have been around quality speakers most of my life,grew up listening to my dads MARANTZ/TEAC setup. Cant say enough good things about Vanatoo and their speakers. Creative Sound Solutions DIY Solution for the high end - CSS Criton 1TD v2 review is up! Overall a great purchase and great value. The AE1 are the one active speaker pair on this list that dont support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth sources you cant stream music to them but they have a huge sonic edge. And keep watch for new product announcements. The brass and sax of ToPs Squib Cakes is punchy, bright and clear. The back plate gets stupid hot, but I never had the speakers shutdown from thermal protection in testing. The requirements were that they needed to sound the same, or better, and take up less space. D.g. I thought that they were great before, now they are exceptional!!!! Vanatoo Transparent Zeros Terrific sounding so real and alive, with the orchestra to the back and sides, and Mr. Darin, dead center, and slightly forward , in marvelous voice.. Vanatoo provides small damping foam pads to avoid vibrations and help keeping my Iroko desk scratch-free. i have used it with the USB connection as well as with an external USB amplifier from my laptop (because my laptop does not put out much volume) that then connects with a 3.5 mm male-to-male. you hear the voice as if the singer was in front of you and the instruments as they were recorded. Very happy with these! Second, when the shipment arrived the packaging was first rate. Were glad you are enjoying them. You wont be sorry!!!! The first question with any audio product should be Does it sound great?. The improvement from my previous setup is immediate, noticeable by me, family, and casual visitors. Im really enjoying them in my office. Rugged?? Click to reveal everyone I can, because this company really deserves to flourish. -There might be the better choices for gaming, movies with lot of explosions etc., at least without an external woofer. Not sure which speaker is the best option or if there are others I should consider? While you can connect sources to the AE1 directly and use its awkwardly-placed rear volume control, the better route is to connect the loudspeakers to an inexpensive pre-amplifier like the Schiit Audio Freya which will provide greater flexibility and more inputs. Thank you for being a repeat customer, Brian. The kickstand and front edge of the speaker need to be supported, and my stands were not deep enough in the tall configuration, so I used the low setting and add the soup cans. I'd like to thank Gary and Rick at Vanatoo. I did a great deal of research before purchasing and this was my choice. Once adjusted the T Zeros simply worked. As a 2.0 or 2.1 near-field system they are fantastic. Andrei L. Priced at only $359 a pair, the Transparent Zero Active can accept inputs from a multiplicity of sources including analog line-level, USB, Toslink optical, and . They have really impressive bass for their size. These speakers are small and fit perfectly on my office desk, but youd never know they were so small from the full and crisp sound they provide! Im sitting at my desk now with the Transparent Zeros and they sound better than they have any right to at this price.I have speakers that cost a lot more, but I dont ever feel bad sitting at my desk listening to these. Vanatoo transparent zero speakers Small disadvantages are they run hot (the acive of course) and slight lack of shine in the highs, only compared to much more expensive gear. How about a stack of JBLs and maybe an old Kenwood. I have had them for several weeks now and am happily outside my return window. Here, well give you in-depth product reviews and product guides. This knob in conjunction with the V-T-B and Pair/Prog button on the back of the speaker can be used to change software settings on the speaker. To answer this hole in the market, companies like Vanatoo and AudioEngine has released products that claim to hold that same audiophile quality but are a self-contained system. I really like the phrase desktop gold. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Having the external volume control also on the back of the speaker was initially off putting, then easy to reach by feel after a few uses, also nice aesthetically. Vanatoo's new speaker, The Transparent Zero review is up! Great in any small or medium room to stream any music source. JBL LSR308 Studio Montor - Super Massive Epic Review! And yes, I am listening to them at this very moment. Highly detailed, everything seems to play awesomely through this system. This is a modern feature, of course, but one that is accompanied by quite a few others. they were out of stock. The edges of the frame are beveled out to avoid diffraction issues with the tweeter. 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