wavemaster TWO NEO Speaker Review
Speaker sequels are always tricky, especially if the initial entry has an established base of attentive users. Yet wavemaster are having a go with the wavemaster TWO NEO Speakers, promoting more functionality and improved performance. Buy on Amazon
Design
Boxy speakers can often be unremarkable, yet wavemaster have managed to carve out the TWO NEO speakers so that they’re not void of any personality. The four colour options emphasise this, yet more than that, the tempered edges and MDF unibody structure assert the sound profile (onto that shortly). They’re built like tanks and, despite us being a little negligent and leaving scratchy cables and other random objects scattered on top of each, the exteriors simply wipe clean with no evidence of any damage.
The right speaker is the master where all of the I/O lives along with the multifunctional volume control. A press of the knob cycles through the various modes and twisting it adjusts the volume. This can also be controlled by a supplied IR remote, which is more comprehensive and essential if these speakers are used as part of a home theatre setup.
For digital audio signals from devices like our iPhones, the speaker system advertises that it does amplify the signal. However, for sources such as non-amplified retro turntables a preamp is still required between the speaker and device. The ability to remove an additional preamp in this situation is definitely a feature that we’d like to see added in any future revisions, it would sort out the perplexing cable clutter and frequent signal interference for so many audiophiles out there!
Sound Performance
The wavemaster TWO NEOs are an incredibly punchy duo and do a fantastic job processing wireless Bluetooth audio, so that the audible difference between any method involving a cable is fairly indistinguishable and we’re also pleased to say that there has been no latency or interruption with any of our wirelessly paired devices. Having said this, when wired up, the clarity and fullness from lossless audio is an elevation in quality and one any audiophile will still twig. (The D/A converter can process high resolution audio signals with up to 24bit/192kHz.)
An indisputable fact is that the wavemaster TWO NEO speakers are deservingly suited for a studio setting and are a serious system for music and sound production in the way they separate and interpret ranges. An acoustic track such as ‘Jenny’s Tale’ by Ren is a perfect example of how this pair meticulously stick to their brief of focused playback, with the very structure of the song enabling the narrative via a solo guitar on the track appearing in the foreground and fading into the background. Some speakers just can’t attain this level of clarity and they don’t over exaggerate bass in each guitar stroke either. This becomes even more noticeable when shuffling through anything by Jack Johnson, where the acoustical earthy tones are retained along with the overlooked elements like raindrops, guitar picks and foot taps, which are again often only just highlighted in many speaker drivers. Retaining the excitement by being tuned for honesty in detail and showcasing a truly live-feel performance, they not only provide a sound that is realistic to the intention of the original recording but also one of great enjoyment for any audiophile, because the signature sound is overflowing with intricacies.
Studio speakers for everyone is an easy and effective way to sum them up. The 60 Watts produced by a high performance woofer/midrange driver with cellulose cone and silk dome tweeter has no problem filling rooms, all the way to a 2 bed home, with an overwhelming amount of sound waves! Testing the depths the bass can go we played ‘Heybb!’ by binki featuring a constant bass beat. Getting in the region of max volume gave way to an oscillation of sound energy that literally started to shake paintings hanging on our walls - all while the other ranges are given space to be heard!
Yet at both ends of the volume scale the wavemaster TWO NEO system keeps the full body of detail and the speakers are not themselves at all impaired, which has a lot to say for their excellent casing design. So a rendition of ‘Summertime’ by Kat Edmonson, with a moody trumpet clearly positioned in the left corner, a slow paced percussion scattered along the back and earthy vocals bouncing along the floor, takes full advantage of a wide soundstage and is even a pleasure to listen to at 5-10% volume levels, because that detail doesn’t diminish.
Then you have an enormous song in all senses of the word like ‘Stop This Flame’ by Celeste, with its immense chorus where the vocals uniquely live within the lower ranges alongside instrumentals that power up in these sections simultaneously. The divide between the piano in the higher ranges and vocals that can spark into this area within other sections of the song, is very easy for the wavemaster TWO NEO Speakers to present clearly separated from the bass. It’s a track that illustrates the tightness these speakers have over continuous variable frequencies and how broad a stereo soundstage they can replicate even in smaller rooms and when closer together. The detailed dynamic control of the ranges that stays in check wherever the volume is set, infuses a highly evocative ambience that is similar to the Sonos PLAY:2 system in its sound style, but the proprietary Sonos software that works in tandem means audio is polished for the sake of it on occasion under default settings and this particular song is a good example of where, if you just leave it alone, it can sound better.
Verdict
It’s not every day we get to hear a stereo speaker system that can offer rich detail, shimmering highs and boundless bass all at the same time, without distorting or becoming a congealed singular sound. The wavemaster TWO NEO speakers are an excellent full I/O featured follow-up that offer serious wired lossless audio connections for studio work and impressive wireless Bluetooth living room experiences, all in one single design. Buy on Amazon
