RUARK MR1 MK2 ACTIVE SPKS SOFT GREY
The removable ‘Hi-Fi’ style grille of the original MR1 has been replaced by a fixed integrated grille clad in an attractive British sourced fabric.
Improvements have also been made to MR1’s controller. Now with three pin-point LEDs to indicate system status and input, the new controller is altogether slicker and more intuitive to use.
In terms of use and connectivity, MR1 Mk2 offers greater flexibility. Bluetooth with apt-X allows audio to be streamed and played wirelessly through MR1 with CD like sound. An optical input allows add-on devices such as Chromecast Audio to be easily connected, but significantly MR1 Mk2 makes a brilliant sound system for flat panel TVs, making viewing a much more enjoyable experience. Additionally the AUX input allows any device with a headphone or analogue output to be simply connected, but in particular they are a perfect partner for the recent resurgence of turntables, making a super stylish compact analogue playback system
If you are seeking portability then MR1 Mk2 has been designed to work seamlessly with the recently launched BackPack II power pack, meaning that they can be freed from the mains power socket and onto the decking and the great outdoors. Additionally if the stereo speaker is disconnected then the control unit automatically converts to mono operation. This ability to be able to function as a mono unit makes MR1 extra portable and ideal as a music system to take on holiday or down to the beach.
With regards to sound, MR1 Mk2 builds further on the already high standard set by the original. The drive units with powerful neodymium motor systems remain the same, but enhancements have been made through refinement to the loudspeaker crossover and topology of the linear Class A-B amplifiers. The end result is a speaker system that further belies its modest size, with dynamics and precision which one would often associate with larger and more expensive systems.