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Airpulse A80
A80 Active Speaker System
OVERVIEW
The A80 continues to use AIRPULSE's unique horn-loaded aluminum ribbon tweeter and a proprietarily-designed 4.5 inch aluminum cone mid-woofer driver. They arehoused in an 18mm thick high-strength MDF cabinet with beautiful walnut finish.The well-known American TRANSPARENT cable is used in A80 for internal connection to ensure minimum signal loss. The active speaker has a high efficiency Class D amplifier with digital signal processing (XMOS) system, powered by an also efficient power supply.The system in the A80 supports multiple inputs, including Bluetooth, AUX, PC, USB and fiber optic. Frequency response ranges from 52Hz to 40KHz. It supports Hi-Res high-quality audio playback, and has obtained a Hi-Res official certification.
Dealers selling Airpulse near you
Authorized dealers for Airpulse A80
- Audio Artisans — in-store — Bozeman, Montana, United States (website)
- B&H Photo — online and in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Salon One Audio — in-store — Ormond Beach, Florida, United States (website)
- WestCoast Hifi — online and in-store — Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia (website)
- Wilbrand Acoustics — in-store — Nordhorn, Niedersachsen, Germany (website)
- Yukimu — in-store — 41, Tokyo, Japan (website)
The A80’s most striking trait is its horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, which gives an open, non‑fatiguing treble and commendable clarity; paired with a stiff 4.5" aluminium mid‑woofer and rigid cabinet the speakers punch above their size. Reviewers including What Hi‑Fi? and The Audiophile Man note its strong components and wide connectivity.
Pros
- Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter yields open, non‑harsh treble that avoids fatigue.
- High-quality drive units and rigid construction (4.5" aluminium cone, magnesium frame) point to strong build engineering.
- Extensive inputs — USB/optical (up to 192kHz), Bluetooth aptX, AUX and a subwoofer output — make the A80 very flexible for desktop setups.
- Good nearfield resolution and overall clarity for a compact active speaker, suitable for desktop listening.
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Cons
- Timing, organisation and dynamic expression are below-par, causing rhythm and complex passages to sound off-kilter.
- Performance vs price is a concern — reviewers feel there are cheaper speakers that deliver more enjoyable results.
Sound Quality
76/100
Bass
74/100
4.5" mid-woofer / small-form enclosure limits low-end. Reviewers describe the bass as 'tubby' with 'limited punch' and recommend a subwoofer output for more bass, indicating respectable extension for size but lacking control and slam.
Mid
79/100
Resolution is 'acceptable' and vocals are present, but reviewers note a sense of detachment and that mids are not as rich as expected from the drivers. Midrange clarity is competent but lacks full-bodied warmth and integration with highs.
Treble
80/100
Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter gives an opened-up treble with no obvious harshness; reviewers note highs are not prickly. However, treble doesn't fully gel with the mids and lacks the richness one might expect from that tweeter type.
Soundstage Imaging
74/100
Imaging and organisation are described as troubled, with highs not 'wedded' to mids and an overall sense of detachment. Soundstage width/depth are modest but impaired by timing/coordination issues.
Dynamics
68/100
Reviewers call dynamics 'below-par' with limited dynamic expression and lack of punch; rhythm and complex passages can feel off-kilter. Headroom and macro/micro dynamic drive are constrained for engaging listening.
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Build Quality
88/100
High-quality components (horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 4.5" hard-anodised aluminium cone in a rigid magnesium frame) and thoughtful accessories (isolation pads) suggest strong engineering and construction. Minor package bits (cheap remote) temper an otherwise premium feel.
Features Connectivity
80/100
Passive baseline applied.
Value for Money
66/100
Reviewers highlight a 'high asking price' and explicitly state there are 'plenty of cheaper speakers...more enjoyable' and better studio-monitor alternatives, so performance does not justify the cost in their view.
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