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| On dynamics the 403 didn’t go threadbare either. Take "Down" by Germany’s noise rockers Sharon Stoned. This number alternates calm ethereal moments primarily carried by an old Philicorda organ with crashing hard-driven guitars. In-between open up lazily decaying halls contrasted by dry hoarse song. The 403 responded very directly to these sudden voltage swings and served the tender passages as well as the violently distorted. These changes came off without hesitation but great immediacy. |
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Zero nits then? Given the price/performance ratio, I feel hard-pressed to wield the red pen. For slightly more than €3’000 one gets bundled a pair of speakers, quad-mono amplification, D/A conversion and wireless functionality. If I had to point out a relative weakness (which seems poor sport), I’d mention the Base’s converter. After various A/Bs against my reference kit, B.M.C.’s PureDAC had the edge. When I passed on its digital signal via optical into the Base, it didn’t sound as good as converting to analog in the PureDAC to then forwarding the signal via XLR.
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| This manifested twofold. One, treble resolution became cleaner and more differentiated; and the stage grew laterally and more stable. This was easily heard on Echo & The Bunnymen’s Ocean Rain and "The Killing Moon" whose various virtual sound sources had the superior in-room fix with the B.M.C. But overall that’s complaining at an elevated level. And it’s somewhat irrelevant when the user gets to choose. Wireless Elac’s Air-X 403 covers most bases. Those with a superior audiophile DAC can go in RCA or XLR. Such choices are good. |
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Conclusion. The Air-X 403 from the house of Elac is the first wireless speaker to have me impressed by the concept. They proved that formidable sound is possible without a traditional wire loom. At first glance this compact box seemed rather modest. But that disguised a very mature full well-balanced sound. Despite compact dimensions there were impressive deep bass, good dynamics and well-sorted staging. Add flawless finishing and classy optics, shake, stir and serve.
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