Epoz AktiMate Mini review

If you want to hear your iPod sound its best these Epoz AktiMate Minis are just the ticket, with a sound quality that impresses across the board Tested at £350

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Anyone who sneers at the description of iPod as 'hifi' needs to hear a pair of these

Pros

  • +

    Nicely made, well specified

  • +

    full-scale, articulate sound

Cons

  • -

    Prefer stands to a desktop

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

At first glance there's little but cabinet dimension to differentiate the Epoz AktiMate Minis from the more affordable Audioengine A5s; but look closer and significant variations become apparent.

The right-hand speaker is still a passive design, but over on the left-hand side there's a fair bit more going on.

There's an iPod dock on top for a start, and the 3.5mm input is joined by stereo RCAs on the back. 40 Watts per channel may not read as impressively as the A5s' 50W, but the Minis offer more than enough to make up for it.

Rhythmically adept

The Minis are up-front, entertaining performers. The Replacements' Alex Chilton fairly barrels along, the punchy low frequencies straight-edged and packed with information.

There's plenty of detail on offer throughout, in fact, combined with commendable timing and deep-breathing dynamic heft.

Rhythmically adept and just as comfortable with plodding tempos as with foot-to-the-floor attack, the Minis offer excellent tonal variation and convincing texture to any instrument or voice.

Go good and loud

And, despite the uninspiring power rating, they are able to go good and loud – though low frequencies get a little flustered and over-keen at volume – and have enough control to remain detailed and involving.

You should put them on some dedicated stands, but even when positioned on a desk-top the Minis remain poised and deliver a convincing stereo image.

We said ‘this is about as good as your iPod can sound without chucking more money at it' when we first listened to the Minis, and that remains emphatically the case

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What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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