Overview
Tangent is a known name in the audio product market. The Denmark based audio devices manufacturers have a wide product range which includes CD players, loudspeakers, radios etc. The company boats on its excellent sound quality and design. The latest in the lot is the new EVO E4i active speaker which is a single unit speaker with iPod dock connectivity. The Tangent EVO E4i active speaker system is a compact yet very powerful in sound experience. The system is capable of producing convincing sound which will be more than enough for a tiny space. The EVO E4i is an active speaker system which has an iPod dock as well has a line out for connecting TV, PC, mobile phones, MP3 players and other sound systems.
The product is an extension to the radio series of âTangent Fjord design by Jacob Jensenâ. The company’s aim is to provide a high quality sound system presented in a stylish eye catchy design with great stereo sound quality. Jacob Jenson is the man behind the design of the EVO E4i and other Tangent products. He is the same guy who is responsible for designing the timeless Bang and Olufson which is considered as a classic and is placed in the Museum of Modern Art, New York. With Jacob Jenson on their side, the company seems like making the right bet.
Price and availability
The Tangent EVO E4i active speaker system will be available for sale in the U.S market by the end of November 2011. Though the exact price has not yet been confirmed and also the sale price may vary in different locations, but the suggested maximum retail price is $489 approximately.
What’s great?
The Tangent EVO E4i active speaker is designed especially for the apple product family which includes iPods and iPhones. The E4i is the smaller unit of the earlier released EVO E5A but is different when it comes to features. The speaker system comes with a 1 inch fabric dome tweeter and a 4 inch low-midrange driver. It is designed with a two way bass reflect system for superior sound quality in closed spaces. The inbuilt amplifier provides a power of 25 Watt per channel. The system has excellent sound quality and a great classical design created by Jacob Jenson combined with the Tangent Fjord’s sculptural exterior. The system is compact in design and light in weight and hence can be easily placed on a shelf or a table and can also be easily mounted on the wall. The embedded iPod dock is a wonderful addition especially for iPhone and iPod lovers and Apple supports it. When an iPod or iPhone is placed in the dock, it gets plugged in and starts charging automatically. Also, the remote control which comes with the system is a smart addition. It not only alters the volume but also gives you playback control of your iPhone and iPod. A 3.5 jack auxiliary cable is also added in the system for connecting your mobile phones, PCs, MP3s and other audio devices.
What’s not so great?
The Tangent EVO E4i active speaker system is a small apparatus designed for closed spaces. You cannot expect the mini speaker system to fill a big room with a lot of sound. The speaker system comes in a black and white finish so you just can’t expect it to have a colorful option. It has a aesthetic appeal but might not be liked by all the people. The iPod dock is a good feature but it somehow makes it more like an iPod dock. For the people who don’t use Apple products, they might want to consider other speaker systems instead of this one without a strictly Apple iPod dock.
Things to watch out for
Though the speaker system is appealing, under the given price range you will have a lot of iPod docks and speaker systems to choose from. It’s a compact speaker system with above average sound quality which is enough for home and personal use but not professional.
Verdict
The Tangent EVO E4i active speaker system is a small compact design unit with good quality sound and a sensible exterior design and finish. This is definitely a good option for those who need an iPod docking station with their speaker systems. I would not say it is a steal at this price, but it is not very expensive with respect to the quality. The Tangent EVO E4i is a decent buy for a single room personal use.
