Awarded “Best Desktop Speaker of 2009” by UK’s What Hi-FiAktiMate is an Australian company that co-developed and licensed technology from Creek Audio and Epos Loudspeakers. Aktimate is essentially, a Creek amplified Epos speaker emblazoned with a stroke of Aussie swaggar.
The AktiMate Maxi is an active 2-way system negating the need for a separate amplifier as it has its own 60 Watt per channel amplifier built in to one of the speakers.
It includes a Reciva media module which brings the wonders of direct access to internet radio together with the ability to stream from any Windows or UPnP shared network on your computer. To access the network you either connect via the Ethernet RJ45 on the rear panel, or wirelessly using the AktiMate Maxi’s internal Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g.
There is FM radio as well (with a string antenna supplied), and the Maxi has three auxiliary inputs (2 pairs of RCA phonos and a mini-jack) plus audio outputs. The USB host socket on the Maxi allows replay of music files frommemory sticks or MP3 players. The iPod dock situated on the top of the active speaker has the elegant cover flap recently introduced on the Minis.
The enhanced functionality is easy to use thanks to the addition of an illuminated LCD screen on the front of the more powerful active speaker. The menu itself is clear and easy to navigate, either via the remote or the knob on the front panel.
The options are plentiful - Internet Radio, FM Radio, Media Player, Aux 1 (via RCA Phono 1), Aux 2 (RCA Phono 2), Line in (Mini-jack) ... there is even an alarm clock! In addition once registered with Reciva (free) you have access to the vast media library which you configure to your very own My Stuff folder for speed of access.
Control is via the remote handset or from the control knob on the front panel of the active speaker. AktiMate Maxis are fully shielded, so placement alongside a monitor presents no problem although the size of these speakers suggest the are better suited to being placed on stands.
A voltage selector switch permits a change of voltage should you wish to travel to a part of the world using different mains voltages.
It comes in a choice of three dynamic finishes – gloss black, gloss red and real wood walnut veneer.
Silk cloth fabric grilles are provided for the woofer - to fit them gently remove the trim ring and the
grilles fit into the same fixing holes. They can be removed and the trim ring replaced at any time.
AktiMate Maxi comes complete with a connecting speaker cable, a 3.5mm cable, rubber feet, banana
plugs, an iPod accessory pack although this contains a selection only - (the cradle which comes with
your iPod fits neatly into the dock).
What Hifi Review of the AktiMate MaxiTrue hifi sound in the form of a speaker dock.
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