ELAC RELEASES DISCOVERY Z3 WIRELESS SPEAKER

Well yes, but there’s a Teutonic comprehensiveness about Elac’s new Discovery Z3 Wi-Fi speaker few others have. And this sets it apart from the pack.

We wouldn’t expect anything less from this experienced German audio brand that is moreover, a speaker specialist.

Physically the Z3 looks like it could survive a hurricane. It’s sturdy, chunky in a minimalist kind of way and the top panel, bottom base plate and front fascia are covered in a dimpled rubber. So no worries about scuffing your new Z3.

But the Z3 is more than a Wi-Fi speaker fashion plate. This bad boy is built to play loud and proud. Which should be easy given its drivers are fed juice from amplification that is said to output 140 watts in total.

The Z3’s driver compliment comprises pairs of 1-inch soft-dome tweeters and 4-inch Aramid fibre woofers plus two 4-inch passive radiators built into the rear baffle.

The Z3 physically reminds us of Apple’s iPod portable Hi-Fi speaker of yesteryear and is similarly sized measuring 11-inches wide, five inches high and 7.5 inches deep.

Connectivity isn’t a feast but more than enough with Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth and 3.5mm input.

Elac's Z3 stands up however where many products fall down and that's with its ability to deliver 24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res Audio.

Using Elac’s Z3 Control app you’ll be up and running in minutes using the app to control volume level, plus bass and treble frequency adjustment. Bluetooth completes interfacing your device to the Z3. The Z3 will also work via your network.

Also desirable is the Z3’s compatibility with AirPlay and Spotify Connect.

But for fans of Roon, anyone who owns Elac’s Discovery Music Server (Aussie review here) can use the Z3 as a fully-fledged Roon endpoint. We love it!

The Z3 is available now and has an RRP of $999.

For more information visit Elac.

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