Dynaudio Xeo 20 Powered Wireless Bookshelf Loudspeaker (SALE, available to demo)

The new Xeo 20 takes all the things we loved about the older Xeo 4, updates them to things we love even more, and adds a few new surprises.

You’ll have already noticed the facelift. Our designers have rounded the corners and softened the edges. They’ve moved the infra-red receiver from the top to under the woofer for a neater, cleaner look. And they’ve made the metal driver parts black for a touch of Nordic simplicity.

If you were to take the speaker apart (although we’d really rather you didn’t), you’d see just as many developments inside, too. The 14cm Esotec MSP driver and 28mm Esotec soft-dome tweeter (both packed with legendary Dynaudio tech, including aluminium voice-coils and innovative magnet systems) are each powered by their own 65W digital amplifiers. And because one size doesn’t always fit all, each amp is precisely tuned and optimized for the driver it’s powering – giving our engineers incredible control over their performance.

Xeo 20: tuned from our pro studio speakers

That control comes from the best. Xeo 20’s tuning is based on our celebrated LYD 5 professional studio monitors – speakers that work at the front line of music production. It gives you a direct line from performer to mixing desk to living room… what they heard is what you get.

The updated firmware includes improved compressor and limiter algorithms and a simplified crossover. That means a larger overlap between the drivers’ frequency ranges for incredible integration, improved bass and much better off-axis performance… so if you’re jostled out of the good seat, you know you’ll still have a great time. We’ve also given the DSP (digital signal processing) engine more horsepower, as well as simplifying it, to enhance speaker-position compensation for corner, wall and free-space placements. It’s a similar approach to the one we used for the new Focus XD range. A slot-type bass port, meanwhile, handles the moving-air stage to further improve, tighten and enhance low-frequency performance.

Xeo 20: direct inputs

The new Xeo 20 also gets direct inputs, so you don’t need to add any external boxes to plug in your existing equipment – although if you want even more options, including wireless 24-bit/96kHz hi-res audio, the optional Dynaudio Connect box has you covered.

Round the back of the master speaker (which can be set as either the left or right channel) you’ll find 24-bit/192kHz Toslink digital optical, stereo RCA phono and 3.5mm minijack inputs for all your sources. So, yes, you can still plug in that old cassette player or 8-track machine…

Don’t want to use wires? We’ve added built-in aptX Bluetooth so you can stream wirelessly from any compatible device. And because the Xeo 20 speakers communicate together using a full-fat 24/96 hi-res signal, you know you won’t miss a single detail in your music. If you don’t want to get out of your seat (we totally understand), you’ll also be happy to hear that the new remote control works with Xeo 20’s direct inputs and the Dynaudio Connect box – and over a longer distance than before.

Xeo 20 is designed to work with the optional Stand 10 and Stand 20, and there’s also built-in provision for Vesa 100 mounts.