Astell & Kern is still best known for keeping high-end MP3 players alive, but it’s also expanding out into Bluetooth speakers — and there may be cause to pay note. The new Acro BE100 from Iriver (formerly Dreamus) contains a 32-bit DAC to maintain audio quality regardless of the source. As a result, it’s being marketed as the first Bluetooth speaker to support both the aptX HD and LDAC 24-bit codecs, implying that you won’t have to sacrifice audio fidelity or limit your collection to a single audio format.
The BE100 is powered by a 55W class-D amp and has a four-inch Kevlar woofer and two silk dome tweeters. If wireless isn’t up to par, a 3.5mm aux input connection enables connected audio.
Unsurprisingly, you may expect to pay a premium for higher quality. The Astell & Kern Acro BE100 will be available for $499 in black and white variants when it launches on March 7th, with pre-orders beginning February 25th. That’s a significant investment, but the BE100 is also in a somewhat specialized market. The majority of wireless speakers in this price range are either party-oriented devices or convenience-focused smart speakers. If you’re more interested in enjoying the fine intricacies of a classical piece than blaring sounds around the home, this could suffice.
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