When I left college for Southampton Solent University, I remembered to pack clothes, plenty of food and my HiFi. I couldn’t possibly live without music in my life and to be honest when living at home with a decent HiFi, going to headphones is a bit of a downgrade (depending on how good the headphones are). I had to pack up my CD Player, amplifier, speakers, stands and not to mention my favourite CD’s. That’s an awful lot of equipment and I kind of wish that back then there was a more convenient, more compact solution. I would have loved some speakers for University that did the trick. Admittedly my HiFi sounded great in my dorm room and it did me proud. Luckily working in the HiFi industry I get to see a raft of new products and now there are perfect solutions for dormitory room systems.
The second system is the AudioEngine A2 (~£165), these stunning sounding little speakers are not the most technologically advanced speakers in the world and don’t come with any DSP technology but these vastly enhance the sound coming from any laptop or other device with a headphone (3.5mm) socket output. With the AudioEngine A2 all that is required is one mains plug and a source such as any smartphone or any tablet with music on it. This simple system sounds stunning and kicks out an awful lot of bass from such a tiny little speaker. If you are slightly restricted in space but need to improve on the sound from your source then the AudioEngine A2 is definately the way to go.
The first system that I can recommend is the amazing B&W MM1 speaker system (~£399.00). This simple speaker system uses DSP technology similar to that found in the award winning Zeppelin iPod dock. This system offers great performance from very tiny loudspeakers! You simply need one mains connection and a USB connection to a computer that is storing all of your music, or streaming from Napster or Spotify and away you go. The sound is massive in comparison to the speakers used and it’s very impressive. The MM1’s also come with a remote to make volume alterations easy.
The third and best system for your dormitory has to be the KEF X300A Active loudspeakers (~£599). These stunning twin class AB loudspeakers are absolutely mind blowing and will make you not just the envy of your floor but the envy of your building. These speakers require a mains connection to each speaker and a USB connection to your laptop computer or MAC. Of all of the speakers these by far sound the most accurate and the most fun. The bass goes immensely low and will drive your neighbours mad. They are exceptionally detailed and offer the greatest feeling of actually being at the gig. Offered in a quality brushed graphite finish the KEF X300A’s should definitely be packed along with all your other belongings when going to Uni.