AudioSmile Archive
Kensai MK1
The original ‘super-baby’ monitor, praised by acclaimed publication such as Hi-Fi World, Hi-Fi Plus, Hi-Fi Choice..
Combining a high-performance magnesium-cone woofer with a large isoplanar ribbon tweeter, aiming to deliver the coherence of a single-driver design with the speed and clarity of ribbons. Hand-built cabinets from Kent, UK used solid timber sides and a slot port extracts surprisingly deep, agile bass from a very compact enclosure.
• 4-inch woofer
• 1.5 x 2.5-inch ribbon tweeter
• Size: 15 × 25 × 20 cm (WHD)
Advantage
Each Advantage is a sealed, force-cancelled dual-woofer module that turns the Kensai into a hybrid-active 3-way floorstander. It housed an active 120 Hz crossover plus two linear power amps (about 180 W total), integrating with the Kensai’s own passive network. The dual-opposed 6.5-inch woofers and sealed alignment delivered deep, fast bass with very low cabinet vibration, significantly increasing dynamics and overall coherence.
• 2 × 6.5-inch woofers with large 4-inch voice coils
• 2x Class A/B power amplifiers (120 W + 60 W)
• Active 120 Hz crossover and LF compensation
Kensai MK2
Kensai MKII evolved the original design with a new neodymium-motor paper-pulp woofer and a lowered 1.9 kHz crossover, working with the slanted cabinet to provide both time and phase alignment. The isoplanar ribbon tweeter remained, while a redesigned port flare reduced turbulence, and birch-ply panels with sorbothane damping and accelerometer-tuned bracing further cut cabinet resonance. Sensitivity and impedance were also improved, making the MKII an easier, more amplifier-friendly load.
• 4-inch woofer
• 1.5 x 2.5-inch ribbon tweeter
• Size: 16 × 29 × 20 cm (WHD)
Supertweeter
The AudioSmile Supertweeter was a custom-tuned add-on designed to improve a system’s high-frequency power response and spatial openness. Using an isoplanar ribbon unit with wide dispersion and extension to 40 kHz, each pair was tailored to the customer’s main speakers by analysing available measurements and designing two dedicated filter options, selectable via a toggle switch. The result was smoother HF energy (power response) in the room and a more spacious, live presentation.
• Isoplanar ribbon tweeter with wide dispersion
• Custom filters designed for the customer’s speakers
• Extension to ~40 kHz
• 11 × 14 × 8 cm (WHD)
Little British monitor (LBM) MK1
The LBM was a true desktop-sized active 2-way loudspeaker built to deliver serious sound from a cabinet no larger than a DVD boxset. Constructed entirely from birch plywood and using high-quality drivers with dedicated class-AB amplification, it offered a full and dynamic presentation unusual for its size. Bluetooth support and the included vibration-damping Little Feet stands made it a compact but complete system for music lovers, musicians and engineers alike.
• 3-inch woofer
• 3/4-inch tweeter
• Fully active 2-way with class-AB amps and Bluetooth
• 12 × 18 × 12 cm (WHD)
Little British Monitor (LBM) MK2
LBM MKII was a refined version of the original LBM, keeping the same ultra-compact active 2-way format but improving both acoustics and electronics. A new micro transmission-line port reduced colouration, while updated electronics introduced DSP for more precise crossover and response shaping. A brushed-metal rear panel completed the cleaner, more modern design.
• 3-inch woofer
• 3/4-inch tweeter
• DSP active 2-way with class-AB amps and Bluetooth
• 12 × 20 × 12 cm (WHD)