Cambridge Audio 2021 Evolution The range of streaming solutions that just add speakers—complete with color screens and sculpted details—is a fitting aesthetic shift for the London brand. After all, they’ve spent years making innocuous hi-fi bespoke products that sound bigger than their asking price. The original Evo systems were an attempt to appeal to customers who craved good sound, streaming convenience, and aesthetics, but didn’t want to Sonos vanilla flavor or the bitter taste of high-end hi-fi sound.
Cambridge Audio is late to the one-box streaming party. Brands like Naim, Sonus Faber, Bang & Olufsen all offer standalone systems with a range of appeal and premium price points. But after three weeks of using the Evo One, I think the new Evo One deserves a spot at the top. The 14-speaker system includes four 1-inch silk dome tweeters, four 2.25-inch aluminum cone midranges, and six 2.75-inch long-throw woofers. The Class D amplifier’s total power of 700 watts means there’s enough power for a moderately loud house party, but the volume is controlled and the detail is precise. As a result, playback never feels forced or distorted, even when you’re blasting beats that annoy the neighbors.
Great setup
In my house, where it competes with a Sonos system, the Marantz HD-AMP1 amplifier and the Audio Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB turntable, along with a bunch of review speakers, streaming devices, turntables and DACs, I was surprised by two things. First, after setting it up via the StreamMagic app (Beta), it never failed to connect, no matter which streaming platform I chose. This is the kind of basic skill I can only dream with Sonos. It has to be simple. It has to be as reliable as an on/off switch, but often with streaming, it’s not.
And secondly, because it plays what it says without delay, it quickly became my household’s top choice. Yes, some people might be guilty of streaming at a lower resolution, but even so, it gets two thumbs up for usability. The only issue I had with using it was with the volume control in Spotify, where a single tap would increase/decrease three or four large steps. It’s a minus that can be easily solved, but a minus nonetheless.
The Evo One also fits my house like a glove, fitting nicely into the corner (yes, yes, the sound quality suffers in real life). At 26.6 x 5.1 x 11.4 inches (675 x 129 x 29 cm), you’ll need to find a fair amount of extra cabinetry. But my advice here is simple: Sell your tropical fish tank/Lego Millennium Falcon/Sonos and make some extra space.
Back to the design for a moment. The Evo One is made, sorry, “crafted” from materials including aluminum, FSC-certified walnut, and 50 percent recycled plastic. The enclosure around the speaker is certainly sturdy—as evidenced by its distortion-free performance—but special mention goes to the impeccable wood veneer. My sample was particularly gorgeous, but as a real piece of wood, each one will be unique. It’s a boxy unit, though, and lacks any curves or softness. Personally, I like it, but I can see why some might find it a little clinical. The 6.8-inch display isn’t a touchscreen either, which might put some off, but it’s bright, the buttons work well, and the option to enjoy authentic old-school VU meters is a nice touch. Watching them flash in time to the music is a nice retro touch. You can also display album art and regular track details, if you’re cool with that.
Photo: Chris Haslam
Full featured
General streaming and connectivity features, as you’d expect for a $1,500 speaker, are comprehensive enough. There’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, internet radio, eARC TV, Roon and UPnP support, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Deezer, Qobuz, AirPlay 2, and Chromecast, all built in (supporting hi-res audio up to 32-bit/192kHz) and controlled using Cambridge Audio’s StreamMagic app and module. Now in its fourth generation, this is a solid platform with good pedigree, sitting at the heart of the MXN10 and CXN100 network players and the Evo 75 and 150 systems.
There are also external digital and analogue inputs, including a solid built-in phono stage. This is a welcome addition, allowing you to easily plug and play. your turntable no frills. Finally, you get Stereo RCA, digital optical, USB-A, and Ethernet for secure online connectivity.
What you don’t get, however, is any voice control available through AlexaSiri, or Google Assistant. This might seem like a misstep in 2024, but in reality, it can easily be added to the Apple Home or Google Home app and controlled by voice. Assuming you have a Nest Mini or equivalent, you can integrate it into a multi-room setup. And if you want Alexa control, the Echo Dot can be plugged into the BT or AUX input.
Great sound
This is the hi-fi audio review section where I usually list all the great, widely agreed upon and loved tracks I’ve heard using high resolution. streaming platform and the Evo One. Traditionally, I’ll mention some rock and acoustic stuff and classic classics, and something extremely basic to prove that I’m not being a total jerk. Of course, I’ll then contradict myself by referencing the subtleties of the midrange on a Will Oldham demo.
Photo: Cambridge Audio
