Lewis CaliburnBritish audio manufacturer Q Acoustics has introduced E300A, a ceiling-installed hi-fi amplifier designed to form the centre of a smart home ecosystem.
Combining the company’s sonic expertise with the convenience of Amazon Alexa voice control, the easy install E300A is designed to form the heart of a smart home and multi-room audio system.
Wi-Fi enabled for convenient retrofit installation, all a user need do is add power and their speakers of choice. The E300A is compatible with popular music services including Amazon Multi-Room Audio, Apple AirPlay 2, TIDAL Connect and Spotify Connect, and includes Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless streaming of music from compatible devices.
The E300A is designed to be a simple and elegant solution; the main unit and speakers are fitted in the ceiling during building work or renovation, while it is also suited to pre-fitting into new builds or extensions.
A certified fire-resistant rating of 60 minutes means E300A maintains a fire barrier without the need to fit a separate fire hood. Once installed, E300A is a discreet, zero-clutter solution for a user’s smart home audio requirements.
E300A is suitable for installation in any room in the home and is just as capable of powering a single-room set-up or expansive multi-room system as it is driving an entire smart home habitat.
Integrated Amazon Alexa voice-control is activated by three far-field microphones, ensuring 360-degree coverage across even the largest open-plan living space. Just like many other Alexa-enabled products, E300A features an LED light ring to confirm voice interaction – and its surface-mounted light sensor ensures the LED ring is set to the correct intensity depending on the ambient light of your room.
In addition to voice, a supplied remote control gives quick and easy control of E300A together with a free iOS or Android Q Net App which is used for WIFI setup as well as EQ (bass, treble, balance) and source selection.
E300A is compatible with popular music services Amazon Music, Apple AirPlay 2, TIDAL Connect and Spotify Connect Hi-Fi. Connection to the internet is available using the Ethernet socket or via Wi-Fi. Bluetooth 5.2 is also on board for alternative wireless streaming from compatible devices such as a smartphone, tablet or laptop.
E300A includes a combined mini Toslink socket for optical digital audio and 3.5mm stereo analogue jack; this input is manually selected using the remote control or App.
Driven-by a high-quality stereo amplifier, E300A delivers 2 x 25W of power at 6 ohms – optimised for Q Acoustics’ wide range of in-ceiling and in-wall speakers. It is capable of powering up to four speakers in the same room or across multiple rooms.
Additionally, any pair of passive speakers, including cabinet designs between 6-8 ohms can be connected.
The Q Acoustics E300A is available from www.qacoustics.co.uk and local independent dealers for preorder now, priced as follows:
- E300A – £599 / €749.
- E300A & stereo pair of Qi65C in-ceiling speakers – £749 / €949
- E300A will be available in the US in early 2025, price tbc.