Not much bigger than a can of soda, Archt Audio's sequel to its original Archt One Bluetooth speaker boasts 65 W of output power and 360 degrees of consistent sound quality through its patented multi-directional array module.
The original Archt One, which exceeded its Kickstarter crowdfunding goal at the end of 2014, drew eyes and ears with its unique, warhead shape and smooth sonic experience. Although compact and easy to move around the home, the Archt One is not what one would consider a portable speaker. Thus enters the Archt Mini.
Measuring 4 x 4 x 6.5 in (10 x 10 x 16.5 cm) and weighing approximately 2.6 lb (1.2 kg), the Archt Mini is designed for easy carrying and backpack portability. Unlike its larger sibling, the Archt Mini trades away high-gloss plastic for a more elegant, matte aluminum exterior. This speaker features Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity, 3.5 mm input, stereo pairing (with a second unit), capacitive touch controls, speakerphone functionality, and an internal battery that is capable of up to 12 hours of playtime per full charge.
Although smaller, the Archt Mini shares a similar style to the Archt One, complete with multi-directional sound array module. Instead of requiring multiple drivers positioned on several sides, as do the UE Boom 2, Scosche BoomBottle+, or Theatre Box, the Archt Mini uses only up- and down-firing drivers to play music in a 360 degree spread. This patented design allows the speaker to maintain smoother output with little/no peaks or dips (every spot is the "sweet spot"), no matter where one stands in relation.
In addition to its innovative sound array, the Archt Mini features a patent-pending "bass impact architecture." This technology is meant to improve bass performance by reproducing lows and sub-bass rumble down to 40 Hz, something that smaller speakers can struggle with. All of this is driven by 65 W of power, which may be a first for an audio device of this type and size.
The Archt Mini speaker is currently being showcased at CES 2016, with a crowdfunding campaign anticipated to launch sometime this March. It's expected to retail for US$299.
Source: Archt Audio
