Como Audio is certainly no stranger to the readers of HIFI.NL. We have been in regular contact with Tom DeVesto, and have previously introduced you extensively with the Como Audio Musica. The label â ???? table radioâ ???? was quite an understatement. But the line of products is bigger. Como Audio also has a record player in its range. That of course requires a review.

Como Audio Como is a relatively new brand, but has deep roots in the audio. After all, there is a man with a vision behind it: Â Tom DeVesto . A â ???? completeâ ???? bringing a new brand to the market, mainly dominated by Sonos, requires a set of balls. When we look at the products and their quality, we admire Como Audio. As audio enthusiasts, we know that CD and vinyl are not dead. And Como Audio knows that too. But then with a future proof touch.

Personally, we wanted to get started with the Como Audio Bluetooth Turntable, but in full Como mode. How? With a complete set! The Solo + Ambiente + Turntable. That is a Solo with extra speaker and a turntable: a set that provides the user with many possibilities.

The Solo becomes a real stereo system with the additional Ambiente speaker, with almost everything on board: multiroom audio, streaming audio, Spotify, DAB +, USB, headphone connection, Bluetooth, clock and alarm, 2x stereo input (3.5mm), color screen, wifi, optical input and one 30 Watt class-D amplifier for the control of the 2-way system. The Solo comes in 4 versions, for each an appropriate color for the interior.

Which brings us to the second product in this set. This turntable has no name other than Bluetooth Turntable. so Como could have come up with a peppy name for that. If we can make a suggestion: the Limoncello? The turntable itself is well put together. We see that the arm resembles a model from Pro-Ject, which suggests that parts come from it. Of course Como Audio gives it its own twist. A heavy steel platform, slip mat and a dust cover. We also find an Ortofon OM 10 element. A built-in phonostage and Bluetooth functionality make it reasonably future-proof, and that offers possibilities. The Como Audio Bluetooth Turntable can therefore be connected wirelessly to the Solo.

Start and drive Unpack, drop and set the set has a maximum of 30 minutes to time. Crazy called it took most of the time to set up. This has to do with the buttons on the front of the Solo; these are both rotary and click buttons. The screen is not a touchscreen, although the appearance suggests otherwise!

The Ambiente stereo speaker can be connected with a single RCA cable. This is attached to the speaker. To connect to the WiFi network, we have to turn and click the buttons. It gives a bit of the feel of a text message you make on a Nokia 3310. But once we are connected, it is set. We are greeted with a notification that there is a system update. It is always good to keep internet connected systems up to date. After the update we are only surprised: we can completely reset the Solo! Nothing has been preserved. That is a point to improve. It is easy to immediately download the app, available for Android and iOS.

The buttons on the front have a big advantage: quick, easy operation. If it was a bit more difficult to set up, it is that easy to use the same buttons. This also makes it clear why this was chosen. We have to understand which button does what, but we get the hang of it in no time. This is a strong point for people who don’t feel like messing with an app on the phone. In addition, a remote control is also included. We choose our favorite radio stations, our music server is linked and we connect the record player. It is almost ready for use. It is advisable to check the adjustment. A check to see if the record player is level is also a step in this process. We connect the whole with the supplied cable and adapter. For example, the record player can be connected to the Solo. The transparent RCA cable then goes to a 3.5 mm plug.

Now we already hear you think: “That’s not good, is it?”. And you are absolutely right about that. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and that also applies to audio systems. Preference is given to a cable that already contains the adapter and which consists of one whole. But this is what Como Audio delivered, so this is what we test it with. Fortunately, the head office has announced that it will deliver the product with a different cable from this summer, so that no more adapters are needed. Now all that remains is an espresso and a listening session.

Musical Fun Factor “It’s a Wednesday morning, 07: 00 hours The Solo on button is pressed. Preset button 1 and Q-music can be heard over the speakers. The radio station logo appears on the screen. Meanwhile, the coffee machine is switched on and the living room is enveloped in the scent of fresh espresso. ”

This is how the Como Audio set has made its appearance in recent weeks, in a daily rhythm. The acceptance in such a steady rhythm can be a difficult process. In the case of the Como Audio Solo, Ambiente and the Turntable it was quite organic; within a day it was very natural to just turn on the radio or just turn on a CD from the server. And that is sometimes a different matter with some products. (Just below us; the Solo, Ambiente and Limoncello sound much better, right?). A comparison with Sonos or Bluesound is therefore easily made. But we’ll get to that later.

The step to turn on music for a moment is just the touch of a button. In the days when people work a lot at home, we also notice that we also listen to more music. There was a lot of radio, especially in the morning, and from lunch music was switched on via Spotify or the server. Around dinner the round black discs appeared and several LPs were listened to while enjoying a glass of wine.

The convenience and “Fun Factor” are very high with this set, and that is exactly what makes listening to music so much fun. Something we already encountered with the Crosley . But what exactly do we mean by that? It is often a combination of several factors. Think of the product, the price of the product, the ease of use, the right music and the time or place. The Solo excels in convenience. Press the button and listen. What we often encounter with multiroom or smart speakers is the smartphone. This almost always has to be taken in hand to put on other music. Then we are often tempted to read that email, or to view that post on Instagram or Facebook. There is no such distraction with the Como Audio Solo. It takes you as a user with a modern system back to a period of uncomplicated music experience. Of course there is an app available, but if we have used it five times during the entire period, then it is a lot. Combine that convenience with the sound quality and the circle is complete.

With the rotary knob we scroll through the music on the server, until we come across an album of which we think ‘yes, nice’. A good example is the Buena Vista Social Club, with the eponymous album from 1997. We own the album in Flac, hi-res. The Como just plays that. And the surprise is all the greater when we hear that the display is better than expected. The vocals and instruments are clear and have a clear place in the room. We do hear a slightly exaggerated mid-low / low. This is mainly because the housing has to compensate. So don’t expect audiophile performance. It is more like a delicious warm apple pie from Oma. All flavors have come together in that apple pie and together they form the whole. The audio performance of the Solo and the Ambiente can also be compared. We really hear music. We do not hear the vocals and instruments separately. We also don’t hear different levels, we just hear music, as a whole. Straight forward.

We also find the pleasure when we grab a few LPs. The album 21 by Adele and Forever Dreaming by Myles Sanko , for example. Adele doesn’t need an introduction. Myles Sanko is a British soul and jazz singer. He has been working hard since 2013 and has performed at North Sea Jazz, among others. We put on the song of the same name Forever Dreaming. We are looking for the swing that is in that song. With a good audio system sitting still is difficult and you will be captivated by the melody. We clearly hear the wind section shaping the melody. Here you can indeed hear the swing we are looking for. There is a small but. The music sounds good, better than you would expect. We only miss some body here and there. Just that little bit of strength underneath that creates conviction. When we set up Adele, we like to listen to that powerful swipe. Turning Tables is a very suitable number for this. Also appropriate in terms of name. Adele can convey a lot of emotion with her singing. This is also audible on the Como Audio Solo and Bluetooth Turntable. We feel the emotion and the swipe is more than pure enough. For a 2-way system, the Solo and the Turntable set a good score. Although there is more quality in the Turntable than the Solo can display.

Straightforward Now as a reader you naturally want to know what it costs and whether it is that exorbitant amount is worth. Let’s start with the target audience. For whom is such a set interesting? Are you that person who is harassed for the third time by the neighbor on Saturday because she can’t stop talking about their new Sonos speaker? And that they are now audiophiles too, because they have more than 1000 to spend on audio stuff, but they still have to save for the subwoofer. Making you wonder if you could drink the bottle of red wine in hand in one gulp, as long as you don’t have to listen to your neighbor anymore? Congratulations! You belong to the target group for Como Audio! They have an extensive range for multi-room audio products. Audio products made of wood. Available in 4 different colors, such as walnut. It is made for people who want the audio quality, but not Sonos. And especially its convenience. Just turn on some music. Music for cooking, or for relaxing on the couch with a glass of wine.

The set as a whole is very extensive and prepared for the future. The TV can also be connected to it with an optical cable. The cable was a weak link with the record player. It did not stay in place and the adapter prevented us from using all connections at the back. The Bluetooth connection provided more freedom. We could also place the record player elsewhere, at a slightly greater distance. The downside is that the quality of the connection was not always great. A slight hum could be heard when the turntable was turned on. As soon as the music started we didn’t hear anything anymore. A simple adapter is included with the record player. This could explain the hum. It can often be traced back to electricity or earth. The adapter can be replaced for an Sbooster, for example. This will also be a leap forward in the ge loud quality. The hum was also more present with Bluetooth than with wired listening, but again for the sake of completeness: the cabling of the test set differs from how the product is now delivered, and according to the manufacturer the c connector and ground cause hum in this setup.

Now we mainly used the front controls, but there is also an app. He could use some finishing touches. There will probably be a tip at startup, but that’s in a different language. So we can’t read that.

Which brings us to the prize. For the Como Audio Solo you pay 399 euro, for the Bluetooth Turntable you pay your 499 euro and for the Ambiente again 129 euros. That brings the total price to 1027 euros. Is it worth that price?

As a comparison, you could also buy 2x a Sonos Five or a Bluesound Pulse Mini, but at the same time it cannot be compared. It lacks the look and charisma of the Como Audio. The Fun Factor! The pleasure and that is precisely what makes listening to music so addictive. Another perspective can also be the ministry. This system is also very suitable for people who do not want to switch on or operate their audio with a smartphone. It would be even more attractive if Como Audio turns it into a set or bundle, including a nice set price, then we are completely happy.

Conclusion Como Audio is a great brand, with authentic audio aspects. The combination of the Solo, Ambiente and the Bluetooth Turntable provide a high fun factor. Add to that the fact that the operation is very simple and easy. A smartphone or tablet is not required for use. Are there any drawbacks? Sure, but that doesn’t make the fun and adventure of music on the Como Audio any less.

Como Audio

Combi: â ?? ¬ 1. 027 | Â como-audio.nl Â

Rating: 4/5