Danish loudspeaker manufacturer Dynaudio has rebooted its Xeo active wireless hifi speaker family. The new Xeo 20 and Xeo 30 speakers replace the Xeo 4 and 6, and join the Xeo 2 in the company’s range.

As well as getting a new look, the Xeo 20 and Xeo 30 (pictured) now have updated tunings plus direct inputs for analogue and digital sources, upgraded DSP (digital signal processing) capabilities, full 24-bit/96kHz hi-res support and built-in aptX Bluetooth. The tunings are derived from Dynaudio’s LYD 5 professional studio monitors. The upgrade includes improved compressor and limiter algorithms and an updated crossover design with a larger overlap between drivers. The DSP engine has also been given more processing power (as well as being optimised) to enhance its speaker-position compensation for corner, wall and freespace placements. The whole Xeo range now gets direct Toslink (digital optical), analogue RCA and analogue stereo minijack inputs on each master speaker. The signal is transmitted to the slave speaker in high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz form. All Xeo speakers now support full 24-bit/96kHz hi-res audio via the optical digital input, and also wirelessly from the optional Dynaudio Connect transmitter box. Both models are available in Black Satin and White Satin finishes. The Xeo 20 and Xeo 30 both have a new IR remote control that works both with their direct inputs and the optional Dynaudio Connect box.

“We’ve tried to apply the KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid!) policy and retain a more ‘analogue’ style of filter design when it comes to the crossover. We’ve also made sure to minimise the amount of EQ the system uses to get a good performance. It’s a similar approach to the one we used when tuning the new Focus XD range,” says Dynaudio Senior Designer, Acoustics, Stephen Entwistle.

“We made the Xeo 20 and Xeo 30 simpler and more elegant without needing a ground-up re-design. The colour scheme is simplified too, as on the new Focus XD. We’re really proud of how it turned out,” says Dynaudio Design Director Malte Köhn.

Xeo 20 (€2199 / £1999 per pair)

Xeo 30 (€3599 / £3199 per pair)

Dynaudio have also been busy working on their Custom Studio range LCR (left/centre/right) system and dual voice-coil in-ceiling speakers, which will ship in March. The S4-LCR65 system lets users create bespoke vertically or horizontally oriented left, centre and right three-way speaker channels. It’s a discreet, system who’s modular design makes it very flexible. The S4LCRMT mid/tweeter and S4-LCR65W woofer modules fit around standard 16in studs  and the individual modules are easily connected using speaker wire. Their frames can be attached and installed in a single cut-out, or spaced out to create a customised single channel.

The mid/tweeter module can be positioned either way up and at any height in the array. It also includes a tweeter level switch to allow more fine-tuning and to match the high-frequency output to different system configurations, room furnishings or acoustic treatments. Like the rest of the Dynaudio Custom range, all the S4-LCR65 modules mount into their frames without any tools. The frames use a special integrated counter-spring that prevents unwanted sonic vibrations while keeping everything solidly connected.

Each module uses a passive crossover with a three-position switch, pre-configured to standard LCR channel configurations that use one or two connected woofer modules. There’s also a bypass position to enable an unlimited number of fully active and completely customised S4-LCR65 system setups with external DSP processing and a dedicated amplifier channel for every driver. The LCR system can be installed behind acoustic fabric or acoustically transparent screens, and it’s complemented by five different optional paintable white grilles (four standard-sized and one customisable).

The speakers themselves use the same materials and technologies as Dynaudio’s high-end hifi and professional studio loudspeakers: soft-dome tweeters  with powerful neodymium magnet systems; MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) cones and large-diameter aluminium voice-coils with internal magnet systems.

Michael Munch, Chief Product Officer, says: “We’re really excited to deliver an LCR solution that combines all of Dynaudio’s core values in one product. Listeners get outstanding performance, real innovation and great design, while installers get total ease of installation and the flexibility to solve the problems faced in many projects.”

The S4-DVC65 dual voice-coil in-ceiling speaker brings even more flexibility to the Dynaudio Custom Studio range. Its dual tweeters let users listen to either a mono or stereo signal from a single speaker, suited to small or awkward installations like Kitchens or bathrooms.