Simple Audio Listen desktop speakers

Set up in 2008 by Peter Murphy, a former MD of Linn, the Glasgow-based Simple Audio has so far concentrated on multi-room audio, competing with Sonos rather than the high-end sector in which Linn operates. Its portfolio currently comprises two models, a portable Bluetooth speaker, the Simple Audio Go and this desktop model, the Listen. Priced at $657 it is certainly a premium product for a desktop speaker, competing directly with the likes of Bowers & Wilkins’ MM-1.

Simple Audio Listen desktop speakers

The Listen stands out among desktop speakers in terms of its features with a touch-sensitive control panel, subwoofer line-out and versatile connectivity options that add Bluetooth wireless streaming to the regular 3.5mm line-in and USB input. As you’d expect it’s compatible with the aptX codec, which kicks in automatically if the source offers it.

Stop, look and Listen

Reasonably sized for desktop placement, the Listen seems built for performance and is not exactly subtle looking. The industrial design is intended to evoke the look of traditional audiophile speakers on stands. Featuring icons for power, mute, source selection, Bluetooth pairing and a volume control, it’s nice to use, requiring just the right amount of pressure to change settings. A pebble-like IR remote control is also supplied.

The right speaker features a headphone jack and an aux input on the front edge, with the rear accommodating the subwoofer out, micro USB input, DC power input and the proprietary connection for the passive left speaker. Simple Audio hasn’t been mean on cable quality or length, the USB cable is 1.8m and an equally long extension speaker cable is provided, enabling the Listen to be used in rooms where you want more distance between the cabinets.

The speakers’ higher-end credentials are established by the use of a bi-amplified design with separately powered tweeters and mids, complemented by bass-reinforcing pressure drivers. They feature a 3in midrange driver with neodymium magnets and a 1in silk-dome, ferrofluid-cooled tweeter.

Connectors of Simple Audio Listen desktop speakers

Each active driver is discretely powered to maximize bandwidth and to accommodate fine-tuned, phase-compensated, DSP-based active crossovers. The Listen boasts studio-quality digital crossovers using a DSP, which is an integral part of the digital signal path. These digital crossovers use band pass filters that are precisely tuned to suit the acoustic response of the drivers, and are phase aligned to help reduce or eliminate phase and/or frequency distortion. Intelligent, dynamic compression is used to manage signal levels to the woofer so that at very high volume levels clipping and/or distortion are minimized. All in all, there’s a heck of a lot of engineering and design gone in to the Listen.

The Listen doesn’t have an asynchronous USB input, so when using the USB connection it extracts audio from your computer’s own soundcard. In the case of an iMac, the rousing trumpet, whistle and strings in John Williams’ theme tune to Raiders Of The Lost Ark highlight the remarkable level of detail to be heard from the tweeters, which are bright, energetic and have excellent timing.

Stereo imaging is satisfyingly broad and overall you feel pleasantly immersed in the piece. There is, however, less control with the bass response with the cabinets vibrating aggressively. Switching to another movie soundtrack Jaws almost sees the speakers scuttling off the desk top, especially when the two-note signature kicks in for the second time. Silent Shout by The Knife happily proves a more sanguine experience, and is well within the capabilities of the pressure drivers. However, there’s a slight opaqueness to the midrange, which is much clearer on the B&W MM-1.

Listen without prejudice

Spitfire by Public Service Broadcasting is a reasonable, well-balanced listen, but it just doesn’t have the punch of the MM-1. The extra headroom and clarity afforded by hi-res audio music is also a little lost, the longer double bass notes in Pete Alderton’s Soul Of A Man for example tailing off quickly, giving the vocals a little too much emphasis.

Headphones jack of Simple Audio Listen desktop speakers

Its bass and midrange performance is perhaps not as well judged as its truly impressive tweeter, but overall the Listen is a well built speaker that’s fun to use, and is a big improvement on any computer’s internal sonic performance, and many TV speakers.