Nubert nuBox A-125 review

Deep bass from the smallest speaker volume – this promise becomes reality with Bluetooth active speakers. At least in theory. Nubert’s nuPro SP-200, which performed impressively well in our last review, is not quite as compact. With the Nubert nuBox A-125, the manufacturer is preparing to cast a similar concept into a significantly smaller cabinet. And at 400 euros, it’s still on the cheap side for a full-fledged complete system.

This also defines the connection concept and the intended use: to replace two Bluetooth boxes on the lowboard or desk, which bring music from various sources to the ear and no longer require any additional electronics. In addition to the Bluetooth, which is particularly easy to control, the really compact set stands out especially due to the HDMI (ARC) input. Does it possibly make even a soundbar unemployed with a wide stereo base?

Complete system in a small pair of boxes

At just 24.5 centimeters tall and 13.5 centimeters wide, the Nubert nuBox A-125 is also tempting to place on a desk. And indeed, the two speaker drivers are placed close to each other, which makes a near-field setup seem favorable. The 11cm cone chassis takes over bass and midrange, a 25millimeter silk dome the treble. An oval bass reflex tube is located on the back of the speaker, which strongly helps with lower lows. However, this also means that the A-125 should not be placed directly against the wall, nor is it suitable for placement on a shelf when it is completely surrounded by books.

Technically, it is a stereo pair of 2-way speakers with woofer-midrange and tweeter. Both are driven fully actively, so each speaker chassis has its own power amplifier. The woofers get 40 watts each, the tweeters 25 watts each. All the electronics are in the right one, i.e. the master box. The left speaker is supplied by four-core cable of three meters with special plug and screw lock. The channels cannot be swapped. However, it is a fully active concept, which is superior to a passive box in terms of the supply of signals according to common doctrine.

No USB input? nuBox A-125 vs nuBox A-125 Pro

For desk placement at the computer, some users will miss something: The USB-B input. In fact, Nubert still offers a USB variant of the box for this purpose under the name nuBox A-125 Pro, which is a bit more expensive and does without the HDMI input. So if you want to connect TV and computer, you have to make a choice. Or connect the PC via optical as well as analog input, which works without problems. Because HDMI signals from the monitor output of the computer does not accept the HDMI Nubert, only via HDMI (ARC).

Otherwise, the two variants are identical in terms of options: there is a coaxial and a coaxial digital input, an RCA analog input and the option for Bluetooth playback with aptX codec. You can switch between the individual sources with the remote control, feedback is provided via a colored LED on the front of the right speaker. The small beeper still has a volume control and a mute button, but no tone control on board.

Music or film?

The “Music” and “Movie” buttons only activate or deactivate a circuit to create more spatiality. If you can place the speakers at a sufficient distance from each other, you are usually better off with the “Music” setting, which leaves the sound image unchanged. Because even under “Movie” there is only a basic widening, but not a processing of real surround information.

If the bass power of the small speakers is not enough, an additional subwoofer can be docked analogously. However, additional filtering and relief of the main speakers does not take place then.

The compact Nubert set is available in three colors; in addition to black and graphite gray, there is a white/light gray variant called ice gray. All of them are covered with well-made fabric covers that do a good job of hiding the technical nature of the boxes, even in design-oriented living rooms.

This is how much bass the small Nubert nuBox A-125 can really deliver

At normal listening volumes in the near field, you don’t even miss a sub. It’s really amazing how much substance the little A-125s deliver down low. The bass might lack the final push that larger speakers provide, but it still sounds quite grown-up and underpins the sound picture properly. The A-125 was also flexible with its placement: on the wall or on a shelf with a few centimeters of safety distance, its bass became a bit louder, but still remained contoured.

The tuning can best be described as high-resolution and accurate. She traced sound mixtures particularly precisely, but also avoided any softness. Combined with its amazing low-frequency response, this makes it an ideal desktop monitor even for more serious recording ambitions.

In the big room limits in the bass

However, in a desktop setup, the room it projected always sounded a bit compact with voices mapped very close to the listener. The sound image could unfold much more spatially and distantly if the Nubert nuBox A-125 was allowed more base width and listening distance (from about 1.90m). The very precise center location surprised in both cases. So if you enjoy music rather than action movies on the TV, you should seriously consider whether the small pair of Nuberts isn’t the superior alternative to the soundbar.

However, movie fans and electronic music fans will notice that the small speaker, which has been equalized for bass, reaches its limits at higher levels. Bass drums, electro beats and special effects pushed him to the limit. And then they also affected the rest of the sound. With hip-hop and other bass-rich tracks, this sometimes happens even at a higher room volume.

Therefore, we recommend the nuBox A-125 only as an audiophile desktop monitor or for small rooms. If you have noise-sensitive neighbors anyway or mainly listen to music without bass excesses, you will also find the perfect all-round system in it. Well-kept movie nights included.

Conclusion and alternatives to the Nubert nuBox A-125

As a complete system for desktop and lowboard, the HDMI (ARC) input should be an important argument for many buyers. And that is pretty unique in this price range. On the other hand, those who are only looking for a system for classic playback channels including Bluetooth will find the similarly priced Magnat Monitor Active 2000 to be a rounder, louder and smoother-playing, but less desk-suitable and also less detailed alternative.

Technical specifications: Nubert nuBox A-125

• Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: 400 euros
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 13.5 x 24.5 x 20 cm
• Weight: 3.7 kg (Master)
• Features: HDMI-ARC, RCA, optical, coaxial S/PDIF input, Bluetooth, Sub Out
• More at: www.nubert.de

• Review Nubert nuPro SP-200 with HDMI-eARC