October 21, 2019
It needs an equidistant space between the side walls
We could say that the bass is sufficiently there for even those who enjoy deep
bass. It is Bluetooth enabled (the usual 30ft range), NFC enabled for easy
pairing, can pair up with almost eight more cores for a multi-room setup, and
also has a possibility for IoT setups. With a slick design and impressive audio
performance with capabilities to play in multi-room groups, the Core is
definitely a product we would love to take home — only wish the price was
lower.
For the Core to perform at its best, you need to place it against a wall,
at a slight distance, where it can get help from the walls to bounce off the
stereo sound. What impresses is that the tiny box holds five speakers or drivers
and an amplifier that pumps out a whopping 120Watts in total. It has a glossy
acrylic top surface, a metal chassis and a chrome bottom that looks both simple
and elegant.Core is a compact wireless speaker that produces pristine stereo
music from a single unit itself. However, if you want a deeper bass with a
stronger thump, Mass Fidelity’s subwoofer, the Core Sub, will give you all you
want.Core is a product from the stables at Mass Fidelity.
However, the quality
of the IR remote seems to be below average. Behind this card is a switch with
channel numbers 1 2 3 and 4, that the user can select for pairing a group of
speakers to each channel.Audio quality delivered from the Core is simply great
and we were trying our best to nitpick on any topic we could. And what impresses
us, even more, is that the tiny box has been cramped with a battery that can run
the speakers for almost 12-hours on a full stomach, apart from also doubling up
as a power bank to charge your smartphone or tablet. The Core also can be used
as a handsfree for taking calls when connected to the smartphone. Moreover, this
effect is not directional or limited to distance. These include wireless
routers, Bluetooth networks, Microwave ovens and other similar devices and
peripherals within the house.
Mass Fidelity has used 5GHz wireless networking
for multi-room connectivity so that there is the least disturbance from other
equipment that uses the 2. As the name pronounces, Mass Fidelity is a startup
that caters to audio products, with an aim to the masses, but with the quality
for enthusiasts with one motto — functional design, revolutionary sound and
freedom for the listener. The top surface incorporates an NFC chip in the centre
for easy tap-and-connect for smartphones with NFC. We have heard it is something
different. It offers the convenience of using it outdoors with great ease. Last
but not least, the Bluetooth here has Qualcomm’s AptX support to ensure better
audio transmission over the data channel.Core has the ability to produce
acoustic holograms that can imitate or replicate what stereo speakers do.
It
needs an equidistant space between the side walls so that the audio quality is
the best and we don’t lose out on the stereo effect.4GHz network. With multiple
inputs, Core allows for both digital and analog sources to be connected and also
has a feature of an easy plug-in to the optical input. This could be because of
the way sound actually interacts with objects in its path. Paired with a
Subwoofer, the Core can create a miniature clubhouse at home. No doubt the
effect does not claim to be 100 per cent working, it definitely is impressive
that the single box in the centre can actually make it sound big and equal.
And
trust us, the technology actually works and is not just a marketing gimmick.As
for the build quality, the product is definitely built rock solid. The vocals
were crisp and clear, whilst still maintaining the highs and lows in the
background. It includes an impressive set of features which pronounce
portability, multi-room functionality and crystal clear performance. There is no
bass reflex port here. However, this is disabled by default and can be enabled
by pushing the power and source buttons for a few seconds. As stated earlier,
the Core needs to be placed against a wall, and more importantly in the centre
of the wall so that it can perform the best. So did the engineers at Mass
Fidelity, a Canada-based company, manage to use their skills in tweaking the
Core. Every tech company from China seems to be making one, and no doubt, they
are doing great.Rich in sound, detailed audio performance, tiny size, but very
expensive. Core features a built-in adaptive wireless network that enables users
to connect between two and eight units to create a multi-room system at home
with the press of a single button – no wires or Wi-Fi required.But in the case
of Core, the acoustic hologram actually uses a technology to send the sound
waves at a particular direction, behind the speaker itself that hits or reflects
the wall and creates an imaginary stereo setup.
The listener can be in any part
of the room and still experience pure stereo audio, unlike conventional stereo
setups that need the user to be hearing it n a sweet spot between the two
channels. This is the 5GHz wireless module for multi-room connectivity. Their
first product, Core, has a rightly chosen name that spells as the core for the
great audio performance that comes from a box that is as small as a lunch box.
The company claims it is ‘better than stereo,’ and we would probably support
that term too. The Core measures just 6 inches in length and breadth and is just
4-inches tall with a weight of 1.5Kg. The bass isn’t too thumpy but is not low
either. When you manage famous
aluminum Telescopic ladder manufacturers to push air in the right proportion
and direction, you can create audio that is pristine and music to the ears.
Placing the Core in the centre of the room or against a corner still gives you
the stereo effect, but not as expected. The rear panel is the business end and
features a USB port for charging external devices, a power jack for the charger,
a power button, S/PDIF optical and analog aux input. Tiny speakers are no more
at the bottom of the charts — they can equally rub shoulders with big guns in
the industry. The bass driver inside the speaker is small and you can expect
only a certain amount of bass from it.Back to the Core again, and we can state
that the mids and highs are also equally good enough. A subwoofer out and a
control in for IoT smart home control is also available. Reason — the technology
being used and the quality of the audio being pumped out. Rating: Wireless
speakers are in abundance these days.
The Core is definitely expensive, but it
would probably have to justify the price from the technology it incorporates and
the hard work put in by the engineers. Though this may be true to an extent, we
can presently vouch for the Core as we are listening to it in person.Watching
movies using the speaker was bliss.Since the Core is self-powered with a 12-hour
long battery, and since it has a tiny form factor, the speaker can be highly
portable too. We love bass heavy music, and the Core is not meant for that oomph
— but we still did not manage to complain. However, if you get a chance to have
a personal demo with the Core, we would suggest that you don’t miss out the
opportunity.
However, the most important factor when making an audio product,
especially a speaker, is to know the physics behind the core element — air. With
advancing technology and tech getting cheaper and better, there seems to be
tough and healthy competition between brands out there. Sadly, the Sub is not
yet launched in India and we are eagerly waiting to get our hands dirty on the
sub. Lastly, the Core can be controlled by an IR remote controller (bundled),
which has the same buttons featured on the Core.The Core measures just 6 inches
in length and breadth and is just 4-inches tall with a weight of 1. We found
absolutely no distortion at high levels, no mixing of sounds, almost nothing.
The remote feels cheap to the touch. Lastly, a small detachable card is also
seen on the rear panel. Compared to a product that will cost you Rs 33,999, the
accessories with the product definitely need to be superior.
Four buttons are
available on top, two for volume, one for multi-room pairing and one for source
selection.One may argue that there are better sounding speakers with a lower
price tag. Surprisingly, it charges up to full tank in just 2 hours too. For the
price of Rs 33,999, the Core is definitely not cheap, especially when you
compare the price to the size of the speakers. The same is the case with the
quality of the cables and adapter bundled with the product. But if you are using
this speaker with your television, refrain from using the Bluetooth mode (if
your TV supports it) as the audio delay/lag will ruin your experience.. It
sports inputs for aux, optical and control (IoT) apart from having a Subwoofer
out port.5Kg.
The grilles are covered with fabric and house a total of five
custom designed high output speaker drivers, two up front, one on each side and
a subwoofer which is downward facing. This technology is called Wave Field
Synthesis, where a set or group of speakers/drivers are clubbed together with a
set of algorithms to bounce audio off neighbouring walls to create the stereo
effect. We played a couple of too many audio tracks with multiple genres and
enjoyed almost each and every one of them. A simple multi-colour LED is also
available for indicating a connection, source, power and charging.
The Core
could behave differently in different rooms, but nevertheless, you won’t be
disappointed. Audio quality is completely subjective and the preference will
differ from person to person. Yes, at lower volumes, the bass isn’t prominent
and tends to lose out. We tested the same and were blown away by the claim that
we could move anywhere around the room and still experience stereo. In case of
physical stereo speakers, the two speakers (Left and Right channels) need to be
placed apart from each other, thus eating up a valuable real estate in your
living room. Core is a wireless speaker that runs on Bluetooth, can pair with
multiple Cores around the house and can create a ‘hell-of-a-noise.
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