TechTicker: eversolo SE100 passive speaker, NAD C 3030 retro amp, Nomad Watch bracelet Icy Blue Glow and more | News

EVERSOLO INTRODUCES ITS FIRST SPEAKERS, THE SE100
For many music lovers, bookshelf speakers are often a better choice than floor-standing speakers simply for reasons of space. Thanks to their compact dimensions, they visually integrate better into the living space and are usually better suited for close-range use (e.g. on a desktop). But physics is merciless and compact speakers always come with disadvantages. This means that their bass performance is usually much more limited. In addition, the vast majority of compact speakers need a certain distance from the wall in order to sound their best. This is also the reason why I usually prefer to talk about compact speakers rather than bookshelf speakers. Real bookshelf speakers that are designed to be placed on or in a shelf or at least positioned close to a wall are not found that often. The new eversolo SE100 could be an exception here. And above all, a cheap exception.

With their square front measuring 29 x 29 cm, the SE100 stand out from the usual box pattern. With this shape and dimensions, the speakers fit exactly into what is probably the best-selling shelf in Germany, namely the Kallax from Ikea. And this speaker also seems to be made for installation close to the wall on TV racks and lowboards in general.

The housing design is relatively simple with a deep, matt PU “Starry” finish, which is intended to look very high-quality both in the rack and in the room. The housing is made of MDF and is resonance-calmed.

A 25 mm silk dome with neodymium drive works in the treble. She places instruments and voices clearly defined in the room, creating a broad, three-dimensional sound image. The 5.25″ paper cone woofer/mid-woofer ensures natural midrange and a warm, physical fundamental tone that makes voices and acoustic instruments appear particularly authentic, according to the press release. Thanks to the excellent damping properties of the paper cone, the SE100 should play in a controlled manner, without harshness or artificial emphasis.

The crossover is tuned with closely selected components. The SE100 should achieve a largely linear frequency response with a clean bass range down to around 50 Hz (at -6 dB), which means that it should sound surprisingly full even without a subwoofer.

Who is the SE100 suitable for?

• Audiophiles who want to create a high-quality nearfield or living room setup in a small space.
• Design-conscious users who value a harmonious combination of sound quality and modern aesthetics.
• Music lovers who prefer neutral, detailed reproduction with pleasant warmth and powerful dynamics.
• Ideal as a supplement to the eversolo PLAY (test report)

Technical data

• Model name: SE100
• Dimensions: W 290 mm × H 290 mm × D 180 mm
• Sensitivity (2.83V @ 1m): 88 dB
• Recommended amplifier power: 20 – 100 W
• Maximum load: 180 W
• Maximum sound pressure level: 96 dB
• Nominal impedance: 4Ω
• Minimum impedance: 3.2Ω
• Frequency response (+/-3 dB): 55 – 20 kHz
• Lower limit frequency (-6 dB): 50 Hz
• Crossover frequency TMT/HT: 2.6 kHz

REWIND assessment: With its streaming solutions and great software, eversolo has stirred up a lot of dust by showing the established competition how good and, above all, affordable streamers can be with high-quality hardware and sophisticated software. Only time will tell whether they can achieve this with passive speakers in the entry-level price range, a market that is very crowded and in which eversolo’s software expertise is of little use. A certain amount of skepticism is warranted. The SE100 are certainly promising, but judging by the technical data and design features, they do not show any special features that are not already available elsewhere in this price range. Apart from perhaps their shape. Perhaps the SE100 are just an exception in the eversolo universe, in order to be able to offer an affordable and complete entry-level system as a suitable complement to the PLAY.

The eversolo SE100 will soon be available from specialist retailers or from the official German eversolo distributor (audiodomain.de) for a pair price of 499 euros.

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NAD ANNOUNCES NEW C 3030 AND C 3030 S AMPLIFIER IN RETRO DESIGN
You can think whatever you want about retro design. The fact is that the design language of previous generations is also very popular today in hi-fi. More and more manufacturers are offering modern technology with a look from the “Golden Age” of hi-fi, which I would include the 1970s to 80s. Examples include the devices from the Quad Classics series, Yamaha’s current top stereo amplifiers or the newly introduced NAD C 3030 integrated amplifier. Large buttons, levers and controls, often combined with pointer instruments or warmly glowing display elements, characterize the look.

NAD itself writes: Inspired by the legendary NAD 3030 from the 1970s, the new models combine the aesthetics of the vintage era with the pioneering engineering of today. The compact body, dark front panel, signature illuminated VU meters and haptic push buttons are a nod to the original, while the design fits effortlessly into modern home environments.

The NAD C 3030 will be available in two versions: as a pure integrated amplifier (with digital inputs and DAC), and with the suffix “C” in the model name also with an integrated BluOS streaming module for 300 euros more. Here are the backs of the two variants (3030 C with streaming below):

The heart of both models is NAD’s HybridDigital amplifier platform. This offers a continuous power of 50 watts per channel and a dynamic power of over 100 watts when required. NAD promises that the amplifiers will drive even demanding speakers with ease and musicality.

Who were the C 3030 models developed for?

• The Vinyl Enthusiast: Perfect for anyone looking for the analogue experience. The combination of retro look and excellent phono stage offers authentic HiFi enjoyment without the cost of complex individual components.
• The design-oriented music fan: With a width of just 35.6 cm and the striking vintage look, the amplifier is a statement piece that fits on any shelf.
• The everyday listener: Whether streaming, TV sound or CDs – the intuitive operation and flexible connection options make it the ideal partner for everyday use.
• The price-conscious audiophile: Based on NAD’s “Full Disclosure Power” philosophy, the C 3030 series offers true high-end performance at an attractive price-performance ratio.

The new amplifiers will be available from authorized German retailers at the following recommended retail prices and dates.
NAD C 3030: 999 euros (from March 2026)
NAD C 3030S: 1,299 euros (from June 2026)

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NOMAD ICY BLUE GLOW STRATOS BAND
With the Stratos, Nomad recently introduced a new type of watch bracelet that combines metal bracelet links with rubber-like FKM parts. This is intended to combine robustness with flexibility and a comfortable fit. The bracelet series called Stratos also has a unique look. However, there are mixed reports from early buyers about the quality. Some are extremely satisfied, while others speak of significant quality defects due to imprecise manufacturing. In particular, the band stop on the case is often not clean.

Regardless of this, the manufacturer Nomad has now presented a new (color) variant of the Stratos with Icy Blue Glow. It combines black or silver titanium elements combined with FKM links that glow cold blue in the dark.

Sure, who comes to mind? The famous dialogue from Rambo III:

Hamid: “What is this for?”
Rambo: “That’s blue light.”
Hamid: “And what does it do?”
Rambo: “It glows blue.”

The Nomad Stratos Band in Icy Blue Glow is now available in the Nomad Store (in the USA) for 189 euros plus import costs.

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CAYIN HA-6A MK2: CLASS-A TUBE SOUND FOR HEADPHONE FANS
A famous cliché among hi-fi fans is the so-called hi-fi virus. Once you’re infected with it, all you want is better sound and even better devices and speakers. In principle, this is not something that is limited to hi-fi, but rather a phenomenon known in almost all areas that is simply due to increasing demands. Even if there are definitely certain excesses that, as an outsider, you could almost see as pathological (hence the virus metaphor), it is mostly completely healthy behavior to strive for the better. No matter whether it’s a car, camera, house, hi-fi or whatever else makes life more beautiful. That’s why the following new product is somehow totally normal – if you already have a certain amount of experience with headphones and enjoy them.

The Cayin HA-6A MK2 is a tube-equipped headphone amplifier for a whopping 4,500 euros. Of course, you also have to take the headphones into account. Anyone who invests in this area usually has more than just a pair of headphones on their shelf. And not just those for 20 euros from Temu. The novelty from Cayin works in so-called single-ended Class A operation, which for some is synonymous with the holy grail of good sound. As crazy as it sounds, tube amplifiers with this very purist circuit type actually sound incredibly natural, even if people who believe in measured values, who often don’t hear themselves but only measure, or believe values ​​on paper instead of their own ears, would never believe it. The real problem with this amplifier technology is its inefficiency, i.e. its poor energy yield.

Amplifiers in single-ended Class A usually have only a very low output power, but waste a lot of energy in heat. Such concepts usually do not achieve more than 10 watts per channel on speakers. However, headphones require far less power. And so the HA-6A MK2 offers up to 4.5W (or as is usual for headphones: 4,500 mW) per channel in ultralinear mode and up to 3W per channel in (the strongest sounding) triode mode. The information applies to the four-pin XLR output.

The Cayin HA-6A Mk2 can also be individually adapted to the connected headphones and the user’s wishes. The gain factor and internal resistance can be adjusted in three stages to the impedance of the headphones. The HA-6A Mk2 therefore drives headphones from 8 to 600 ohms. The tubes offer two operating modes that can be switched between at any time: the more dynamic ultra-linear operation (pentode) and a puristic, particularly musical real triode operation.

For further sound experiments, an exchange of the power amplifier tubes is planned; in addition to the standard KT88, the internal control can supply both 6550, KT66 and KT150 and compatible tubes.

The Cayin HA-6A Mk2 is now available with either a silver or matt black front and costs 4,498 euros.