Multi-room audio system that's popularized by Sonos turned
out to be capable of changing the direction of the audio device industry as a
whole. Now many other audio manufacturers follow the step of Sonos by launching
their own multi-room audio lines. But for consumers, the problem is if they
want to enjoy this system, they have to invest in new devices, and move on from
the old devices.
While on the other hand, not all the speakers which were
produced a few years earlier had a lower sound quality than the latest speakers
today. This makes the consumers feel reluctant to leave the old devices to switch
to the new ecosystem.
But now there is a unique solution to enjoy multi-room
system on old devices. Named Hub by Ekko, this device essentially allows the
users to send the sound output from one source to other different devices.
Hub consists of two components. The main unit acts as a
wireless signal transmitter. This unit can be plugged into the audio source
device, such as a TV or a smartphone. The second component which is called
Sound Puck (round flat shape component) acts as a signal receiver and forwards
it to speakers, headphones or earphones.
Simply put, from one TV, the sound output can be divided
into four different headphones, each of which is connected to the Sound Puck
component. This means that each of headphones' users will hear the same audio
content from the TV, but with the volume or equalizer that can be arranged
according to the taste of each user.
This unique system can be used to create a multi-room system
from the old speakers. So if you've got a couple of speakers that are placed in
various rooms in the house, you just need to connect each of them to the Sound
Puck, and then all of them will produce the same sound that's coming from one
source.
All settings can be accessed from Hub companion application
on a mobile device. This application also offers access to a music streaming
service and unique features such as limiting the volume on a Sound Puck that's
used by children.
Each Sound Puck has a battery life of about 4.5 hours
nonstop. For charging it, you can simply plug the Sound Puck in the main unit
of Hub that's connected to the adapter, and the wirelessly charging will be
underway. About the audio quality, the main unit of hub has been equipped with
a DAC chip that's able to process Hi-Res audio, i.e. 24-bit 96 kHz.
Hub by Ekko can be booked through Kickstarter. There are two
variants offered: Hub ($ 229) that includes four Sound Pucks, and Hub Mini ($
159) with two Sound Pucks. The Sound Puck itself will be sold separately; one
unit of hub can forward the audio output of up to 10 Sound Pucks at once.