AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless+ Studio Monitors – Deal & Review
The Perfect Monitors for a Portable Music Studio?
4,0 / 5,0 | 
The AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless+ is a rather unusual pair of studio monitors that combines a number of interesting concepts. The idea behind the Unit-4 Wireless+ can be summed up in one sentence: active near-field monitors that you can take with you. And, as the name suggests, they come with wireless technology. This means that the monitors can be used with or without cables. When used wirelessly, Unit-4 Wireless+ promises super-low latency, which is achieved by using special transmitters. The monitors also feature Bluetooth and battery operation for maximum freedom. In this short review, we’ll check out why this could be interesting for you, too. Now the monitors are on sale for a short time!
All About AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless+
AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless+ – Key Facts in a Nutshell
- Wireless studio monitors
- 2-way bass-reflex cabinet
- 4″ woofer and 1″ silk dome tweeter
- Class D amplifier
- 2x 30 W continuous power, 2x 80 W peak power
- Frequency Response: 50 Hz – 20 kHz
- Loudspeaker Adaptive Bass Boost
- W+ Link for wireless operation with up to 12 m range and 16 ms latency
- Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC and AAC
- 5-band EQ and other sound adjustments via AIAIAI app
- Built-in batteries for up to 20 hours of use
- 3.5 mm mini-jack stereo input
- 6.3 mm balanced TRS input
- Dimensions: 200 x 340 x 340 mm
- 2.5 kg per speaker
AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless+ Now on Special Offer for $635!
The AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless+ wireless studio monitors are currently on sale. Instead of 795 Euro you pay $635.00 / £589.00 / 699.00€ here at Thomann*. Unfortunately, we don’t know how long this offer will last, so it’s a good opportunity to buy now. In any case, the following short review will give you some arguments to buy these compact and mobile monitors.
A Quick Review of the AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless+
Most studio monitors are designed to be used in a fixed location in the studio. They are wired to an interface, mixer, or monitor controller and placed on stands, ISO pads, or other surfaces.
In recent years, however, needs have changed. Thanks to laptops and DAWs, musicians have become more mobile, and many have set up studios in their own homes. Compact and flexible monitors are probably more in demand than ever. Which brings us to the point.
With the AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless+, the danish company offers studio monitors that are not only relatively small, but also have a few features that set them apart from most of their competitors. There is no need to wire the monitors. What’s more, they even have a rechargeable battery inside, so you don’t even need a power source if you want to spontaneously start a small recording or mixing session somewhere.
Let’s take a closer look at how the AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless+ works.
Unwrapped and on Display
Having already tested (and kept) the equally wireless TMA-2 Studio Wireless+ headphones, I was very curious about the AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless+ review unit. A wireless studio monitor is unusual and there is currently no real alternative. In addition, the Danish manufacturer’s products also impress in terms of design and workmanship.
When I received the samples in a box, I was surprised at first. For compact and portable monitors, it feels relatively heavy. However, this impression is put into perspective as soon as the two studio speakers are unpacked. At 2.5 kg, a single monitor is relatively light and can be easily gripped and carried with one hand via the rear port.
On the back I discover the connections, here is a balanced jack input with 6.35 mm. There’s also an input for a 3.5 mm jack. The portable studio monitor does without XLR. There is also a mode button for activating Bluetooth or the aforementioned W+ Link. As I said, wireless connectivity is one of the specialties here.
Another small button toggles between stereo and mono mode, allowing me to determine if the individual monitor is responsible for the left or right channel, or if both channels are summed. This is a cool detail because it allows me to turn a single AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless+ into a kind of “MixCube”. LEDs above the buttons indicate the selection. In addition, the power connector is on the back, so the internal battery is also charged. It takes three hours to fully charge the battery, which is enough for about 20 hours of operation.
On the top, there are three large buttons, two of which control the volume, while the third one in the middle turns on the monitor and also controls the pairing.
On the front, I can see the magnetically attached grille, behind which are the 4-inch woofer and the 1-inch silk dome tweeter. The woofers are surrounded by an LED ring that lights up in a color that can be set via the app during operation. Of course, the app doesn’t stop there; it also provides a 5-band EQ for sound adjustments and various listening profiles. You can also use the app, which is available for iOS and Android, to install firmware updates.
The bottom has rubber strips on opposite sides so you don’t have to worry about scratches when you place it on a smooth surface. They also provide a non-slip stand. A small flange allows it to be attached to tripods, but if I were to place it on a desk, I would use ISO pads (like these from t.akustik*) to ensure better alignment with my listening position.
Alternatively, you can use the AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless+ in a horizontal or “lying” position, in which case the design of the housing ensures a well-balanced angle to the listening position. This is especially handy when you are sitting on the floor with your laptop and monitors, or when you have an impromptu session in the park.
The workmanship is first class. The speakers definitely look sturdy. If you know the manufacturer, you know that they pay attention to a lot of details. It starts with the components, which are largely made of recycled plastic and nothing is glued. If necessary, the AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless+ can be taken apart and the batteries can be replaced.
In addition to the monitors, the accessories include two matching power adapters, two simple carrying cases, and the transmitter for the W+ Link.
W+ Link
The outstanding feature of the AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless+ is undoubtedly its wireless operation via W+ Link. Bluetooth is all well and good if you want to listen to some music on your smartphone, laptop or other devices, but unfortunately its latency is not suitable for recording, producing or mixing.
With the W+ Link, the manufacturer reduces the latency to 16 ms, which is fast enough for most of the above mentioned tasks. I can say this from my own experience, because the AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless+ studio headphones use the same technology, and I was able to see this for myself during my review. It’s just not possible to be completely latency-free without cables, so if you really need super-precise timing, you can always switch to a wired connection.
Special transmitters are used here, which is why the Unit-4 Wireless+ also includes the X02 transmitter. It is very compact and looks like a USB dongle with an additional mini-jack input. If I don’t connect the transmitter directly to the computer via USB, I can alternatively use this small analog input, but then I have to power the X02 via a power supply.
Wireless Operation With AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless+ is Set Up in Seconds
To use the small studio monitors wirelessly with my computer, all I have to do is plug the transmitter into the computer’s USB-C port and I’m ready to go. Once it’s connected, all I have to do is turn on the speakers by briefly pressing the power button and the monitors will connect to the transmitter. I then select Unit-4 Wireless+ as the output device in the DAW.
If the transmitter and monitors do not connect, the LED rings around the woofers will flash. In this case, you may need to press the small button on the transmitter again.
A button on the back allows me to select whether the left or right channel (or both) is playing. And off we go.
The Sound
The AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless+ was designed with a focus on achieving the most linear sound possible. And indeed, the small studio monitors sound quite balanced. Interestingly, the slight emphasis on the highs is minimized when the grille is removed – but this also makes the monitors look a lot cooler. The frequency range is 50 Hz to 20 kHz; the speakers can’t go any lower due to their compact size. Nevertheless, a loudness adaptive bass boost is supposed to provide a certain “fun factor”. By the way, the wireless transmission is 16-bit; with a higher bit depth, the data volume and latency would have been too high.
With a maximum sound pressure level of 105 dB SPL, the AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless+ can certainly turn up the volume. You shouldn’t expect too much, though, because these are small speakers and the sound gets a bit “squeezed” at higher volumes. However, this product is not designed to be played loud, but to be used as a mobile studio tool. And as long as you don’t push the volume to the limit, the Unit-4 Wireless+ will undoubtedly sound convincing.
Conclusion
The AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless+ stands out from most other studio monitors. Wireless operation with battery and W+ Link offers unprecedented freedom with probably the lowest latency currently available. This should only be noticeable in rare cases when making music or mixing.
The sound is linear and rather sober, so you should definitely not compare it to typical Bluetooth speakers. In terms of sound, the Unit-4 Wireless+ is clearly a studio monitor. The only thing I miss is an XLR connector, but not every studio monitor has one.
If you are looking for mobile monitors, these are extremely practical companions that are quick to transport and easy to set up. And with Bluetooth, the Unit-4 Wireless+ also works as a compact Bluetooth speaker for listening to music. AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless+ is also great for recording a DJ mix or as a multimedia monitor in a project studio.
The most important question to ask yourself before making a purchase is whether you need studio monitors that run on battery power and can be unplugged on demand. If your answer to that question is “yes,” then you can’t go wrong with the Unit-4 Wireless+. If you can do without, you can get comparable performance at a lower price.
Availability and Pricing
The AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless+ is available here at Thomann*. The price is currently $635.00 / £589.00 / 699.00€ for the pair (instead of 795€).
More Information
Pros and Cons of the AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless
Pros
- Wireless gives you a lot of freedom
- Setup is quick and easy
- Overall very linear sound
- Single monitor can sum left and right channels to mono
- Compact and portable design
- Great workmanship and stylish design
- Bluetooth is a nice bonus
- Adjustments possible via app
Cons
- No XLR input
- Sounds a bit compressed at high volume
Watch the AIAIAI Unit-4 Wireless+ Teaser Video
** Originally written by Dirk for GEARNEWS.de
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