The Kii SEVEN active speakers are receiving Qobuz Connect support via a newly available firmware update.
In fact, calling the Kii SEVEN merely an “active speaker” doesn’t do it justice. It’s much more of a fully integrated system — a complete solution for direct playback of digital content, with a built-in streaming module. The new firmware update now enables Qobuz Connect, allowing users to stream directly from the French music service without the need for additional devices.
The Kii SEVEN already supported Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect. Updating is straightforward: simply follow the update procedure (see manual) and you’re done. New SEVEN units manufactured from early September onwards will ship from the factory with Qobuz Connect already included.
This is undoubtedly the way forward for modern hi-fi.
As a DIY enthusiast, I have tried using Acrylic as a streaming receiver for an active system, but the synchronisation between the right and left channels failed, resulting in extra echo, etc. Even though, according to the data sheet, this should not happen.
Does anyone know what Kii uses, perhaps Wiim? Or is it their own system? I don’t suppose Kii has the problems I had.
Not sure this is a serious comment. Kii is a high-end speaker brand that creates active speakers for home and studio-use. For me it is obvious they don’t use Wiim-hardware to power the streaming-part. Kii operates in a completely different league. In terms of price ánd quality.
Of course you think it’s irrelevant.
You have the option to delete what’s irrelevant, so do it!
But it’s also more than obvious that you know nothing about the high-end industry. These are relatively small companies that use basic design standards and typically expand on these with oversizing and components that provide better results in terms of timbre perspective, etc. In short, everything we cannot measure. Wiim technology is not an obstacle as a basis for further development in this direction.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Okay… Maybe I don’t know anything about high-end audio. But hey: if you know more… why ask me?
From all the people I have spoken to in the past 25 years I have learned a couple of things. There are copy-cats, amateurs, real engineers that actually want to build nice gear ánd pure geniuses that have layed the foundation for the complete industry. Bruno Putzeys is – my opinion – one of those. Along with a handfull other engineers.
And for all I know, Wiim wasn’t even a serious brand in Europe when Kii started (10 years ago).
Also: Bruno Putzeys – co-founder of Kii – doesn’t believe in off the shelf stuff. His Mola Mola dac and streamer for example are FPGA based. No of the shelf platforms or dac-chips. Yes: he uses existing FPGA-chips (and also Rasberry Pi-hardware for the streamer for example), but he uses that hardware as a platform to use his own code / software.
So no: no Wiim or Acrylic hardware in the Kii speakers. Or any other brand for that matter.