Nubert nuPro XS-3000 RC Review
Convincing stereo sound when playing music from the radio, via music streaming service, or through a HiFi system requires high-quality speakers that can appropriately cover all tonal facets. The wireless active speakers nuPro XS-3000 RC fulfill exactly that function when used as a pair and promise an optimally tuned sound image for the highest musical enjoyment despite their compact design. The 2-way bass-reflex speakers offer an elegant design and are equipped with a 25-millimeter tweeter and a 148-millimeter mid-woofer.
Thus, they achieve an output power of a whopping 440 watts while covering a wide frequency range between 38 and 22,000 Hertz. For integration into the home sound system or a television, a variety of physical connection options such as Aux-In, S/PDIF (optical/coaxial), or HDMI ARC (via adapter) are available. A wireless connection, for example with a smartphone, is also possible via Bluetooth with aptX HD. For comfortable control, either the included infrared remote control, the proximity control buttons, or the compatible Nubert X-Remote app can be used. How the versatile stereo speakers, which have an MSRP of $764 and in a double pack an MSRP of $1,529, perform in practice, what to consider during setup, which sound options are offered, and how high the power consumption is, we clarify in our detailed test report.
Did you know, …that numerous Nubert products can be found at significantly reduced prices under www.nubert.de/sale/b-ware/ or www.nubert.de/sale/zweite-wahl/? In the “Second Choice” section are items that have only slight cosmetic defects but function perfectly technically, including full warranty. Under “B-Stock” are customer returns and devices with certain defects such as scratches, cracks, or dents, which have also been technically tested and come with full warranty. Availability and the offered discount vary from product to product but can sometimes amount to several hundred dollars.
Powerful Active Speakers with Numerous Connections
The housing of the two Nubert speakers nuPro XS-3000 RC we tested is made of sturdy MDF wood and is coated on the outside with a sanding lacquer, which ensures a premium look. The workmanship is, as usual for the Nubert speaker forge, excellently done. Due to the diverse connection options, the stereo speaker pair is suitable for numerous applications, such as a sound upgrade for the home television, as premium Bluetooth speakers, or in combination with a HiFi receiver and an external subwoofer as a full-fledged sound system.
The dimensions of the Nubert speakers of 18.5 × 30 × 21.3 cm (W × H × D) and a weight of 6.6 kilograms each are almost identical to those of the Technics speaker SB-C600 and thus are very compact, making them suitable for placement on a sideboard, in a shelf, or even on the desk. In addition to the black color variant we tested, a white one is also offered, each including a black, magnetically attached front cover. These are active speakers with an integrated amplifier module. At the very top of the front side of the speaker box is the 25-millimeter tweeter, recognizable along with the 148-millimeter mid-woofer below it.
The dimmable OLED display is again mounted in the lower area. It shows users, among other things, the selected input source or the volume. To the right are five illuminated proximity control buttons arranged in the form of a control pad. With these, users access the menu, which offers various setting options that we will discuss in more detail later. The Nubert speakers nuPro XS-3000 RC support Hi-Res files up to PCM with 192 kilohertz/24 bit.
Setup and Operation
To ensure the best possible spatial sound, there are some points to consider when positioning the speakers. For example, the bass-reflex opening on the back should be at least three centimeters away from the wall or a piece of furniture to prevent airflow noises and an overemphasis in the bass and low-midrange. If a shelf is chosen for placement, it is recommended to position the front edge of the speaker either flush with the shelf base or slightly protruding. For the most natural sound possible, the built-in tweeter should also be approximately at ear height of the user.
The included infrared remote control relies on the high-quality design known from other Nubert sound systems. On the front side, there’s a surface made of robust aluminum that sits on the rest of the plastic housing. The buttons are all rubberized and offer a pleasant pressure point. With these, the various input sources like USB or Bluetooth can be selected directly. Additionally, there are controls for the volume, the bass level, and the mid/high tone area.
When purchasing a pair of speakers, it is first necessary to connect the two components, which is possible both wired and wirelessly. For the former option, the included S/PDIF coaxial cable is used to link the speakers from the Link Out port of the so-called master box to the coaxial S/PDIF port of the slave box. For the second option, the status as master and slave is manually set in the settings menu of the two speakers under “Setup”, after which they automatically connect. As long as the left-placed speaker functions as the master, nothing else needs to be considered afterward. Otherwise, there is also the necessity to specify in the master device’s menu under “Channel” that it should reproduce the right channel (“right ch”). A master speaker can wirelessly bind and control almost any number of slave speakers. A home cinema setup with wirelessly controlled rear speakers is also possible.
Once the two speaker boxes are ready for operation with an external source device, the corresponding cabling can be performed. For example, an external CD player, network player, AV receiver, or PC can be connected to the rear AUX input. The XLR/AES input allows the connection of a compatible mixing console or microphone, while the Sub Out port is intended for a separate active subwoofer. With the flat XW-800 slim ($643), the XW-900 ($762), and the powerful XW-1200 ($1,091), Nubert currently offers three differently powerful woofers. Those who want to use the nuPro XS-3000 RC as high-quality TV speakers can use either one of the two optical S/PDIF connections or the included HDMI ARC adapter, which is plugged into the speaker’s USB port. However, an HDMI cable is not included in the delivery. To establish a wireless Bluetooth connection, it is first necessary to put the speakers into pairing mode, which is possible in the menu under “Bluetooth” – “Pair”. After the first connection of a device, it is sufficient subsequently to activate the Bluetooth mode, whereby the speaker remembers up to eight end devices. The codecs SBC, AAC, aptX HD, and aptX Low Latency are supported.
The operation can be done in different ways. First and foremost is the excellently crafted remote control, which primarily offers direct buttons for the various input sources and volume. It’s also possible to conveniently adjust the bass intensity or the mid/high tone area by up to +/– 10 dB.
More options are available on the speaker itself, where users can navigate the setup menu using the five proximity control buttons.
In addition to the previously mentioned settings, users can, for example, activate the loudness function, adjust the display brightness, or enable the standby automatic, which automatically puts the nuPros into a power-saving mode after a maximum of 20 minutes without an input signal. It was somewhat regrettable in this context that the remote control does not offer such a control pad to access the menu from a distance. Additionally, users can use the free X-Remote app available for iOS and Android. This offers all menu items that are also accessible via the display, plus additional functions that are only available with the application. These include assigning a password, which allows the password, queried during the first connection between device and app and set to “0000” by default, to be changed, as well as the X-Room Calibration, which, with the help of the integrated digital signal processor (DSP), enables optimization of the frequency response in the low-frequency range and thus adapts the sound image to the surroundings. However, to carry it out, either an iOS device or the optionally available USB measurement microphone “Nubert XRC Android Interface” for $43 is necessary.
Sound Quality
The compact Nubert speakers nuPro XS-3000 RC do not offer preset sound modes but do provide some individual adjustment options, such as adjusting the bass intensity or the balance, i.e., the volume difference between the two components of a speaker pair. There is also a mid/high tone adjustment, a switchable loudness function, and a 5-band equalizer, allowing precise interventions of the five frequency bands in a range between –6 and +6 dB.
In practice, our test pair consistently impressed with various musical genres like hip hop, classical, pop, schlager, or rock. Particularly impressive was the powerful bass reproduction, which was neither too dominant nor artificial and could even keep up with that of some full-fledged subwoofers. The mids also remained crisp, while the highs were absolutely clean and crystal clear, which resulted in a homogeneous sound image. In general, with the speakers, we were able to hear numerous details from complex songs like “Bohemian Rhapsody” by “Queen” or “Morning Mood” by “Edvard Grieg”, which also came across as very spatial. Although the main field of use for many is certainly in combination with a stereo system or a high-quality (gaming) PC, the active stereo speakers can also be connected to a television to acoustically optimize cinematic content. For this purpose, the included HDMI ARC adapter is particularly suitable, through which not only audio signals but also control commands such as for volume control can be received on compatible TV sets. When used with the UHD Blu-ray of “Mad Max: Fury Road”, the speaker pair provided atmospheric stereo sound, with the basses in particular developing the necessary punch in the numerous action-packed chases without overshadowing the spatial sound effects and tiny sound details. During normal TV consumption of classic TV formats like news broadcasts or quiz shows, the nuPro speakers also made a good impression, with spoken passages always sounding clear and easy to understand, making them highly recommended for this field of use as well.
Power Consumption
Lastly, we tested the power consumption, which is 2.1 watts in standby, significantly above the legally required 0.5 watts. Fortunately, there is a power switch on the back, which reduces this value to zero, which users should definitely make use of when not in use. In the powered-on state, consumption immediately increases to 15.1 watts even without music playback, which can be reduced to 14.2 watts by turning off the display. The maximum consumption at full volume is only slightly higher at 16.9 watts.
Conclusion
The Nubert active speaker nuPro XS-3000 RC offers numerous connection options and, accordingly, versatile usage possibilities. Due to its compact design, it is optimally suited, for example, for use as a space-saving desktop speaker for the PC or office. But even as a stand-alone solution in Bluetooth mode or in combination with a HiFi receiver or a television, the active stereo speaker pair makes an excellent impression. Highlights here include the high sound quality, exquisite workmanship, and comfortable control with remote control, X-Remote app, and proximity control buttons. Consequently, at the end, there is an impressive overall result of 9.42 out of 10 points and the top rating of “very good”. Not quite as positive is the power consumption, which is relatively high both in standby and idle mode, i.e., when powered on without music playback. On the other hand, the excellent sound and great functionality are convincing all along the line and also make the MSRPs of $764 (single) or $1,529 (pair) appear justified.
T. Metzger
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