STEREO GUIDE verdict
The Cambridge Audio Evo is a modern music chest with endless streaming and connection options and full, fine sound.
Advantages
- mature, finely balanced sound
- enormous dynamic reserves and joy of playing
- Connectivity and operation are a dream
Disadvantages
- Spatial imaging and bass precision could be better
-
Sound: naturalness / transparency9.3
-
Sound: Bass / Dynamics9
-
Practice / Connectivity10
-
Price/Performance9.1
If it weren’t for the dominant screen, which sits off-center on the baffle, you could mistake the new Cambridge Audio Evo One for a music chest from the vintage hi-fi department. However, the British manufacturer combines everything you could wish for in the 68 centimeter wide system if you have a beautiful designer living room with exactly one place for music playback.
Stereo speakers, amplifier, subwoofer, preamplifier and streamer are integrated. The latter corresponds to the digital part in the well-known Cambridge Evo 75 streaming receiver and, together with its own app, is one of the best on the high-end market. There is also HDMI connectivity to the TV and analog inputs for sources such as a record player.
Will the retro bar possibly replace the soundbar at the same time? That will be one of the questions to be answered in the listening test. In the meantime, we are pleased that Cambridge has combined consistent retro design with real wood and fabric with a design-appropriate shape. Yes, the Evo One is a little on the wide side, but thanks to a frame construction on the lowboard, it seems to “fly”, and at 13 centimeters high, it is really very flat.
No connectivity wishes remain unfulfilled
The Cambridge Audio Evo One otherwise scores points in the data sheet with its digital and analog versatility. The proprietary network platform called “StreamMagic” enables the retro bar to integrate services such as Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Deezer, Qobuz and also supports the popular Roon Ready, AirPlay 2, Google Cast and UPnP protocols. This all works in HiRes resolution with up to 32Bit/192kHz via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. A Bluetooth receiver is also built in, and local mass storage devices such as a USB hard drive or USB stick can be docked directly and managed in the Cambridge app.
The device also features a fully integrated preamplifier with various digital and analog inputs. In addition to standards such as RCA (line) and optical Toslink, a phono amplifierfor MM systems is built in, as well as an HDMI (eARC). The TV simply docks onto the latter and controls the volume of the Cambridge Audio Evo One, which also replaces a soundbar in terms of functionality. Provided you are prepared to do without surround sound or Dolby Atmos.
The app is more than just a remote control
The connectivity is among the best on the entire market for all-in-one systems. Does the user retain an overview? Surprisingly, yes, because the built-in streamer includes Cambridge’s own StreamMagic app. With it, you can really take full control of the Evo One.
Essential functions such as play, pause, volume and source selection can also be controlled directly on the device, so that even a misplaced remote control or smart device is no problem.
The app can not only replace the supplied remote control, but also configure the device and activate or deactivate sources. It also serves as a music browser for UPnP and maintains a connection to your own streaming services and a large number of Internet radio stations. If you play music via Airplay, Roon, Google Cast or Bluetooth, the app automatically takes over the started stream and displays album cover, track information and resolution. We are thrilled!
Streaming for adults
It takes a little while to really get to grips with all the possibilities of this fantastic app. We were particularly impressed by the sound settings: there is an integrated 7-band equalizer that leaves nothing to be desired for users who are familiar with sound technology, but also requires a little experience. The two sliders for position and room correction are much simpler: on the one hand, you set the exact distance to the rear wall in centimetres, which leads to a corresponding pre-programmed bass correction; in the other half of the menu, you can adjust the sound of the Evo One to rooms with too little or too much damping.
The only thing we missed here were the setting options for stereo reproduction. There aren’t any, as Cambridge relies on the two integrated channels for stereo playback and does not use any algorithms for room simulation or basic widening.
Modern streaming in a classic retro music chest
A deliberate decision for a high-end purist concept, because there would be enough drivers and amplifier channels: the manufacturer promises 14 of each in a housing measuring just 68 centimeters.
The entire complete system uses three-way technology and classic two-channel stereo. Four single-inch dome tweeters are positioned at the front and in the side walls directly at the outer edges, so that they achieve maximum width imaging without any electronic tricks. This also minimizes phase problems and the feeling of acoustic cancellation that can sometimes occur with many tweeters positioned far apart. The four matching midrange drivers are positioned directly next to the tweeters. Each driver has its own amplifier with an RMS output of 50 watts, so that the overall system has a calculated output of 700 watts.
The six additional woofers of the Evo One are surprisingly small, the manufacturer specifies them at 7 centimeters. However, they have a very large linear excursion and are housed in a closed enclosure. Although this costs some maximum level compared to passive cones or bass reflex, it is a qualitative advantage in terms of bass, especially when placed close to a wall or on a shelf. The manufacturer promises that this cabinet design does not compromise bass depth in any way.
This is how the all in one audio system from Cambridge sounds
We can confirm the developers’ promise 100% in the listening test. Even in larger rooms, the Cambridge Audio Evo One produces a very special acoustic sound. The bass in particular makes you think of a full-blown subwoofer or classic floorstanding speakers when you first listen to it. It was almost a bit too much of a good thing at the bottom, so we first made discreet use of the position setting in the app and the bass control of the 7-band EQ. Then the all-clear: the Evo One sounds quite powerful at the bottom, but also balanced and easily adaptable to the room.
Individualized in this way, the Cambridge Audio Evo One surprised us with true hi-fi qualities. Its richness of timbre was enormous, every type of music was a pleasure to listen to and it didn’t show any dynamic weakness. There was almost a high-end feeling with more complex pieces of music. It was downright astonishing how cleanly the four tweeters were able to resolve and how effortlessly it sounded.
Open to all music genres
He didn’t have any preferences for particular musical genres. From cerebral big band jazz to rough hip-hop, it confidently played everything we streamed via various protocols. All with an amazing joy of playing, unobtrusive fine resolution and astonishing level reserves. The bass tended to remain on the voluminous, massive side, but this fitted in well with the impression of this dynamic “wall of sound”.
We would have expected a little more from the sophisticated stereo system with its four tweeters in terms of imaging. The music was released very well from the Evo One and remained nicely stable in terms of spatial imaging, roughly at the level that we were already familiar with from the Zeppelin-shaped competitor Meridian Ellipse. But you shouldn’t expect miracles in terms of room size, instrument staggering or three-dimensionality. The absence of any electronic tricks would have turned any other test result into a miracle. Interestingly, this was not so noticeable with movie and TV sound. Sure, there was a lack of surround effects, but the Evo One let us experience movies without missing an Atmos installation, especially thanks to its crisp voice reproduction and thrilling dynamics.
Nevertheless, the Cambridge Audio Evo One is a great complete system. And probably the most modern, best-sounding and most complete interpretation of the old “music chest” concept.
Conclusion and alternatives to the Cambridge Audio Evo One
There are several integrated sound systems in retro design, as well as all-in-one speakers with versatile streaming functions. But you really only get both in one with the Cambridge Audio Evo One.
In terms of concept, the JBL Authentics 500 is the closest competitor. The Cambridge offers a much more mature, finer and more dynamic sound, and also justifies its higher price with a sophisticated streaming app, endless digital options and the display. In terms of price, surround sound with virtual Dolby Atmos and voice control, the JBL has minimal advantages in the B grade.
How does the Cambridge Evo One compare to the miracle speaker Meridian Ellipse? In terms of coarse dynamics and detail resolution, it definitely has clear advantages, but the Ellipse offers the crisper bass and the significantly larger virtual space from a smaller speaker.
Technical data Cambridge Audio Evo One
- Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: 1,500 euros
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 67.5 x 13 x 29 cm
- Weight: 14.5 kg
- Special features: AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Roon Ready, UPnP, Bluetooth 5.2, HDMI (eARC), USB-C, analog RCA, phono MM, optical input, 7-band EQ, color display, location adjustment via app
- More at www.cambridgeaudio.com
