Cambridge Audio Minx Air 100 White internet radio, Apple Airplay and Bluetooth

  

An excellent quality, versatile speaker in very good condition. Has Apple Airplay, Bluetooth and internet radio (not BBC channels though) as well as wired inputs.

Comes complete with a remote control and documentation. A reluctant sale but with my Apple HomePods it's no longer needed. A set-up video can be found on. This is how T3 magazine reviewed it..

The Cambridge Audio Minx Air 100 Wireless Music System is an interesting proposition because it's a wire-free set-up with hi-fi maker credentials and a small footprint for the volume level. It looks the part too, which well help gadget fans requesting permission from their partner to install it in the lounge..

The neat handle around the back is actually the bass port, which is a sign that the design of the Minx Air 100 has been well planned. At a time when some new docks still roll of the production line with a 30 pin old style iPone 4 connector (yes, really) it's good to see an Airplay dock that isn't black and doesn't feel flimsy. The all-in-one design is sleek and looks at place in the lounge or kitchen. It's pleasingly rugged and surprisingly weighty, which usually hints at powerful sound and the weight / power rule proves true here.

The buttons are discreet but comprehensive. The rubber buttons along the top of the Minx Air 100 respond quickly and feel comfy rather than brittle. Importantly, you won't be touching them much once paired with your smartphone or tablet so they're small and not obvious to casual observers. Alongside AirPlay and Bluetooth, the wi-fi skills mean that internet radio functions can be accessed from the dedicated iOS or Android app or the five'favourite' buttons on the Minx Air 100. Based on the idea that you may want to simply get radio without your smartphone, the pre-programmed radio selection can be customised to include your most used stations, whether that's BBC 6Music or America's impressive selection of country radio stations. Spotify gets support and the dedicated app is simple and faster than many rivals. The set-up video is a clever addition too and saves any potential frustration. Airplay isn't always easy to set up (unlike Bluetooth) even if you rate your wi-fi geek credentials but the Minx Air 100 makes it easy from the start. The line-in socket means that the Minx Air 100 can be hooked up to your TV, meaning the small basic remote is a handy back-up for when you want to turn up the volume without reaching for your smartphone or tablet which is charging in another room. MINX AIR 100: SOUND QUALITY. The bass level can be tuned via the Minx Air 100 or the app too, which is a surprising and effective addition. Depending on the size of your room, taste in bass and where you're actually placing the Minx Air 100, you'll need to tweak the setting. It's worth the 10-second experiment, however, as you'll find a sound which is balanced according to your taste instead of being bland and bass heavy, a common issue with similar systems that assume you want more bass than Tim Westwood's bedroom on a Saturday night.

Testing via an iPhone with Spotify Extreme'320kbps' quality mode enabled in the Spotify settings, Last Leaves of Autumn by Beth Orton shows the clarity that the Minx Air 100 offers, even at low volume. Conversely, RU Mine by the Arctic Monkeys rocks along and keeps the guitar solos away from the bass and drums which are simply a blur when heard through basic Apple Ear Pods The mix of ability is important if you're interested in rocking out or using the Minx Air 100 for house parties or as a system for your home office or kitchen, where volumes will be lower. If you're after punchy yet balanced sound in a sleek design that will put your old all-in-one budget brand hi-fi system to shame, the Minx Air 100 is a great choice and a bargain in terms of build, usability and features.