Cambridge Audio Minx Air 100

The release of the Cambridge Audio Minx Air 100 all-in-one wireless speaker sees the stalwart of affordable British hi-fi separates moving away from its comfort zone somewhat, and into a more mainstream, and as yet untrodden, area.

The Minx Air 100 packs both AirPlay and Bluetooth connectivity, and with internet radio to boot, this is one seriously connected speaker that isn’t about to show favouritism to one type of device, whether iOS or Android.

It’s a speaker that can offer the best of both wireless worlds – although that's not such a novelty now as it was when we first tested it. Rivals such as the Panasonic SC-NE3, which has AirPlay, Bluetoth and DLNA, offer even more.

Cambridge Audio Minx Air 100 Review: Build and connectivity

The build quality of the Minx Air 100 is impressive. It’s a sturdy and fairly weighty single-body construction, specifically designed with damped material to reduce vibration. Its size is one that would probably lend itself best to slightly smaller rooms, a bedroom or kitchen say: bigger rooms may well be better left for its forthcoming larger sibling, the Cambridge Audio Minx Air 200.

The design leaves us feeling a little cold, though. There’s nothing wrong with it, per se, but just nothing particularly great about it either. We do wish the control buttons weren't lumpy grey, and that the tiny, slim remote control wasn't so fiddly and plasticky.

When you look at the Minx alongside the likes of the elegant B&W A5, the colourful Libratine Zipp or the bold JBL OnBeat Rumble it just feels a bit bland, and its grey and white colour scheme won’t be to everyone’s taste either.

Still, looks are not everything, and at this price point, it’s the Minx Air 100’s pure connectivity that will be this its main selling point for most.

At the back of the unit you’ll find a range of inputs that hint at the speaker maker’s hi-fi background.

Alongside an ethernet port for wired networks and a 3.5mm input for hardwiring an MP3 player, there are also RCA analogue inputs for hooking up a device such as your TV or Blu-ray player. This is unusual on all-in-one speakers and a nice addition to push the Minx Air 100’s possibilities even further.