OBERON C and SOUND HUB COMPACT - The active option

Our world is becoming one where wireless technology is the norm. We are familiar with the idea and we like the convenience of being able to do without cables in printers, headphones, desktop speakers, phones and even thermostats. Now, the time has come for Hi-Fi speakers to join the wireless revolution and DALI has played a pioneering role in this with the launch of the Rubicon C and Callisto C ranges. A family that is expanded with the new OBERON C Series and the SOUND HUB COMPACT wireless electronics, with which DALI puts active wireless HiFi, with the same quality as passive systems, within the reach of many more music lovers and audiophiles.

As a better value integrated Hi-Fi option, the OBERON C series and SOUND HUB COMPACT are perfectly configured for today's home installations, where Bluetooth devices and smart TVs are the main audio sources.

OBERON C and SOUND HUB COMPACT share simplicity of installation and operation, as well as genuine audiophile sound quality. Music lovers and audiophiles no longer have to choose between incredible sound quality and equipment that is easy to install and use with their Bluetooth devices and smart TVs. The OBERON C series and SOUND HUB COMPACT offer both.

DALI is guided by the philosophy that better music at home is a great improvement, and the technologies that allow the OBERON C Series and SOUND HUB COMPACT to play at such an exceptional level obey that philosophy. In addition, SOUND HUB COMPACT is also compatible with DALI CALLISTO and DALI RUBICON C boxes.

As its name suggests, SOUND HUB COMPACT plays a central role in the Wireless Hi-Fi system alongside a stereo pair of OBERON C speakers. Designed primarily with Bluetooth audio and HDMI connections in mind, the SOUND HUB COMPACT receives wired or wireless sound from audio sources and transmits it wirelessly to the speakers. The SOUND HUB COMPACT has been specifically designed to achieve a small size, and such thinness that it can even be placed out of sight, behind a wall-mounted television.

WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY

The SOUND HUB COMPACT wireless connection protocol is a proprietary 30-bit digital streaming system that operates in the 5.2Ghz or 5.8Ghz bands. The optimal band option is automatically selected depending on the radio signal present in the environment. The 30bit protocol transmits uncompressed I2S audio at 24bit/96kHz and uses the last six bits to receive connection information, volume control, speaker identification and other operational needs.

ZERO LOSS

The need for volume control data to be sent to the speakers is due to the zero loss volume technology of SOUND HUB COMPACT and OBERON C. Zero Loss ensures that volume adjustment does not result in data loss by truncating the digital signal. Placing the speaker volume control at the end of the digital signal transmission chain, just before conversion to analog, maintains 24-bit resolution at all volume levels.

RELIABLE WIRELESS

Thanks in part to using less crowded radio frequency bands, and in part to the use of a protocol specifically designed for audio files, the wireless connection of SOUND HUB COMPACT and OBERON C  is very stable and does not cause data loss. 

Speaker latency is only 15 mS, which means SOUND HUB COMPACT and OBERON C can be used in audiovisual equipment without risk of desynchronization with the image.

The robust nature of the SOUND HUB COMPACT and OBERON C wireless connection means they can be located as much as 10m apart without risk of connection failure or temporary signal interruptions. 

ANALOG LEGACY

The SOUND HUB COMPACT is almost entirely digital in its internal signal path and processing, although it features a high-quality analog input designed for mainstream audiophile sources such as CD players, preamplifiers and turntables. The analog to digital conversion that is carried out when the signal is received generates a high resolution digital signal at 24bit/96 kHz, higher than that of CD.

INPUTS AND CONNECTIONS

With five available discrete audio inputs, SOUND HUB COMPACT can connect to virtually any audio device. For example, there are no less than four ways to connect it to a TV and stream audio to the OBERON C, but it also has many options for connecting to music streaming or conventional audio devices.

BLUETOOTH

The Bluetooth input of DALI SOUND HUB COMPACT features the high-performance AAC and aptX HD codecs, allowing many smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers or any other Bluetooth source to connect easily and quickly to play any music, stored or streaming. Even Bluetooth-equipped TVs can be connected wirelessly to create a wireless TV sound system.

HDMI ARC

The HDMI ARC input of SOUND HUB COMPACT is designed to reproduce TV sound. In addition, it is CEC compatible to allow the use of the TV remote to adjust the volume and mute the equipment, as well as make the SOUND HUB COMPACT turn on and off at the same time as the TV.

AUTO-SELECTION

The SOUND HUB COMPACT has optional signal auto detection on all its inputs. This function detects when an input is receiving a signal and starts playback of this source automatically. When there is no signal for 20 minutes, the SOUND HUB COMPACT (and OBERON C speakers) go into Standby mode to save power.

OPTICAL IN 1

The S/PDIF 1 optical input is designed for connection to CD players or other traditional audio sources that have digital optical output.

OPTICAL IN 2 (TV)

The S/PDIF 2 optical input of SOUND HUB COMPACT is designed for connection to televisions equipped with digital optical output. The auto-select function is activated when the TV is turned on, rather than by the audio signal, ensuring that SOUND HUB COMPACT is ready to play the TV's audio as soon as it is turned on.

ANALOG

The SOUND HUB COMPACT analog line input is designed for connecting traditional audio sources such as CD players or preamplifiers. Turntables can be connected directly if they have a line output or via an RIAA phono preamp. The analog input is where audiophile tradition meets the wireless active Hi-Fi of the future.

THE CONNECTION GOES BEYOND

The SOUND HUB COMPACT offers a line-level analog subwoofer output with volume control that automatically activates when a subwoofer is connected. The subwoofer output has a low-pass filter at 100Hz to fit the frequency characteristics of the speakers. When using a subwoofer, the audio sent to the main speakers is high-pass filtered to reduce the energy of reproducing frequencies below 80Hz and preserve the power supported in the main frequency band.

The SOUND HUB COMPACT features a USB-A port primarily designed for service and diagnostic use. The USB port also serves to charge a smartphone or power a streaming device such as Amazon Echo or Google Chromecast Audio, the output of which will need to be connected to a SOUND HUB COMPACT audio input, potentially including the volume control element in the system.

SOUND HUB COMPACT has an accessory IR signal receiver that allows it to be placed out of sight and used with its remote control. The IIR receiver optionally connects to the SOUND HUB COMPACT via a port on the rear panel. Plugging it in deactivates the built-in IR receiver.

DALI Sound Hub Compact Specifications

• Wired inputs:2 × Optical (TOSLINK™) 1 × Analogue Stereo (RCA) 1 × HDMI (ARC)
• RCA input impedance (Ohm) 7.2 k
• Maximum input (RCA) 3.0 Vp
• Maximum digital optical input resolution (Bits/kHz) 24 / 192
• Wired outputs 1 × SUB OUT (RCA with detection) SUB output max voltage (V) 1.7 V RMS
• Wireless inputs BT 5.0, AAC, aptX, aptX HD
• Full 24 Bit / 96 kHz wireless output (Not compressed)
• Wireless Audio RF Band (MHz) 5150-5250 MHz and 5725-5875 MHz*
• Other connections 1 × IR Sensor input / 1 × USB-A power output (5 V/1.5 A) / Service Power input 9V DC
• Maximum power consumption (W) 2.8 W
• Standby consumption (W) 1.7 W
• Maximum consumption in Standby on network (W) 1.7 W
• Time to enter network standby < 20 minutes
• Size (H × W × D) mm 30 × 212 × 132 mm (1.2 × 8.4 × 5.2 in)
• Accessories included Quick start guide, IR remote control, 9V DC power supply (universal 100-240 VAC), IR sensor
• Weight (kg/lb) 0.5 kg
• Accessories: Rubber feet, manual, power supply unit, remote control, IR receiver
• Finish: Black