V400 & V600 Reviewer s Guide The Next Generation Portable Wireless Speaker System: Plug In & Play. Easy to Share. One to Multiple Rooms. LiveStage Acoustics. Stunning Design. All Your Media Music, Videos & Games. KorusSound.com 1 P a g e
KORUS Editorial Reviewer s Guide Table of Contents Table of Contents... 2 Introduction and Product Overview... 3 Korus V-Series Key Features... 5 A Closer Look at the Korus V-Series... 7 Competitive Comparison... 9 Links to Additional Editorial Resources... 10 2 P a g e
Introduction Korus V400 and V600 speakers Korus is the brainchild of Core Brands, LLC, which has a 40 year heritage rich in bringing to market pioneering and innovative audio products from high end brands like Niles and SpeakerCraft, creator of the in-wall and in-ceiling architectural speaker. Core Brands is part of the Technology Solutions Group of Nortek, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTK), a premier provider of smart technologies for the connected home and office. Headquartered in Petaluma, California, Core Brands combines the product and marketing strengths of eleven iconic audio, power management and control brands into a group that includes ATON, BlueBOLT, ELAN, Emphasys, Furman, Niles, Panamax, Proficient, SpeakerCraft, Sunfire and Xantech, and now Korus brands. Product Overview Korus is the new next generation portable wireless speaker system that is a premium alternative to Bluetooth speakers. Powered by SKAA, a wireless audio protocol that provides superior signal connections with near zero lag or delay, Korus offers crystal clear audio playback and perfect audio synchronization when listening to music, watching videos or playing games. Using the USB, 30-pin or Lightning compatible Korus Baton wireless audio transmitters, listeners simply plug-n-play to instantly connect ios mobile devices, PCs or Mac computers to Korus speakers. The Korus Batons also make it easy to share Korus speakers with family and friends devices, by simply unplugging from one device and plugging into another device. The Korus premium wireless speaker system can also expand and play the same song simultaneously on 3 P a g e
up to four speakers placed in one room or in adjacent rooms or with speakers placed indoors and outdoors during parties. Korus premium technology is based on SKAA, an improved wireless audio protocol that offers consistent and reliable signal connections without latency issues. Korus speakers with SKAA transmit superior sound quality up to 480Kbps (compared to 201Kbps as is typical for Bluetooth enabled devices). SKAA is transmitted on the 2.4GHZ ISM radio band and uses a patented Walking Frequency Diversity protocol that effectively detects conflicts and hops out of the way, preventing drops and pops. SKAA has a latency (lag time from a source device) of only 40ms (milliseconds) as opposed to 120ms typical for Bluetooth. Korus combines the superior signal capabilities of SKAA with its unique acoustic architecture and product design. Drawing on the composite audio heritage of Core Brands a pioneering developer of many audio firsts Korus is designed, with a unique and innovative acoustic signature called LiveStage that creates a wider sound stage and incredibly faithful reproduction of the artist s performance. 4 P a g e
Key Features Korus speakers offer a number of advantages: Simple out-of-the-box setup. Power on the Korus speaker and plug the Baton wireless audio transmitter into your source device. With most devices you can begin hearing your music, video, or game immediately. The first time the 30-pin Baton is inserted into your 30-pin ios device you are automatically prompted to download the Korus volume control app, which is straightforward. The Korus app is only required to be open (minimized). The Korus app download is optional and not part of the setup experience when using the Lightning connector Baton. Easy to share. Your family and friends can gain immediate access to your Korus speakers by simply plugging your Baton into their source device having the same connector. Multi-speaker capable. You can have up to four Korus speakers working together in perfect synchronization playing the same song in multiple locations. For example, you might want a Korus speaker in your kitchen and family room. Or you may entertain a lot with family and guests moving between the backyard patio and inside (kitchen) simply move one or two Korus speakers outside on the patio with one speaker in the kitchen and/or living room. Reliable, extended wireless range. SKAA wireless audio maintains a rock solid connection between your source device and the Korus speakers at ranges up to 65 feet indoors and as far as 200 feet outdoors 1. This compares to 30 feet typical for Bluetooth devices. (1)Wireless range may vary with the construction and design of your home and environmental conditions. Near zero lag wireless performance. The SKAA wireless audio technology is desi g ned for high quality music playback. This includes near zero latency between your source device and the speakers which means Korus is great for super sizing your listening experience when watching videos or playing games on your ipad, for example. With Korus speakers your audio will remain in perfect synchronization with what you see on screen. LiveStage acoustic design. Korus speakers are designed to create a multidimensional listening experience more accurate to the artist s intent and original recording. This yields a sound that is crystal clear and non-fatiguing. The curved design helps extend the sound field and create a wider listening zone able to fill large rooms or cover the backyard. 5 P a g e
Designed to be portable and location friendly. With the built-in handle, the Korus V400 and V600 speakers can be easily moved around your home. Its rear-angled design fits neatly in corners. And the built-in handle allows for elegant cable management of any excess power cord. The Korus V600 speaker also operates on battery using six D cell batteries (not included) for up to 90 hours of audio. (The Korus V400 does not have a battery option.) Korus Volume Control App. Available for Free on the App Store, the Korus app allows you to independently control the volume of each speaker connected with a Baton up to 4 speakers total per Baton. Or, you can adjust the volume of all speakers together. Of course you can also use the hardware volume buttons on the Korus speaker or on your mobile device, or use an app s on-screen volume control (if available). The Korus app allows you to easily name a Baton and also name each speaker configured with the Baton. Korus Volume Control App. 6 P a g e
A Closer Look Here is an overview of the Korus speaker s buttons and connectors. The buttons along the top of the Korus speakers are as follows (from left to right): Power Connect Mute Volume Down Volume Up The Power, Connect, and Mute buttons have lights that operate as follows: Power: o White: speaker is On o Amber: speaker is in lower power Standby mode Connect: o White: the speaker is setup to search for and operate with Batons already configured with the speaker and stored in the speaker s Favorites list o Amber: the speaker is setup to search for and operate with the new Batons that have not been configured with the speaker o Red flash: the currently active Baton has been removed from the speaker s Favorites list o Off: the speaker is being used with a 3.5mm audio cable (not included) Mute: o White flash: the speaker sound is Off o Off: the speaker sound is On Using a New Baton The Connect button is used when adding a Baton to the speaker s Favorites list. With your new Baton inserted into your device, begin playing your music, video, or game. Then press the Connect button twice to search for a new Baton. When in search mode, the Connect button light turns amber. When the Baton connects with the speaker the light turns bright amber. Press and hold the Connect button to add the Baton to the speaker s Favorites list the Connect button light turns bright white. 7 P a g e
Switching between Multiple Batons The Connect button is also used to switch between configured Batons. With your Baton inserted into your device, begin playing your music, video, or game. Then press the Connect button once to search for the previously configured Baton. When the Baton is connected with the speaker, the Connect button light turns bright white. NOTE: Press the Connect button four times to enable Play All mode. The Connect button light turns red. The speaker will automatically connect with an active Baton stored in the speaker s Favorites list -- eliminates the need to press the Connect button to switch between Batons. Press the Connect button again to disable Play All mode its light turns bright white. Pressing the Connect button six times will restore the speaker to its factory default state with its Favorites List of Batons cleared. Rear Connectors There are two connectors on the rear of the speaker below the handle (shown below). These are the Power connector (shown to the left) where the AC power cord is plugged in and the 3.5mm audio-in jack. 8 P a g e
Internal Design Korus V600 (1 Bass driver, 2 Mid Bass drivers, 2 Front tweeters, 2 Side Firing tweeters) Korus V400 (2 Full Range drivers, 2 Front tweeters) 9 P a g e
Competitive Comparison BENCHMARK KORUS BIG JAMBOX BOSE Ease of Set Up Plug-and-Play Devices are paired and unpaired with the speaker; connecting can be unreliable Sound Quality (bit rate) Sound Latency (in milliseconds) from the source to your ears Signal Reliability and Strength Devices are paired and unpaired with the speaker; connecting can be unreliable Up to 480Kbps Average of 201Kbps Average of 201Kbps Near-zero latency of 40 ms Average of 120 ms Average of 120 ms Superior SKAA protocol provides stable connection and perfect audio synchronization Frequent drops, pops and lag can be associated with Bluetooth audio protocol Frequent drops, pops and lag can be associated with Bluetooth audio protocol Music: Audio Playback Quality LiveStage acoustic signature provides a multi-dimensional, lifelike audio experience Precision-tuned drivers and dual passive bass radiators work in concert Bose Advanced sound performance includes proprietary speaker technologies Movies and Videos: Audio Playback Quality Games: Audio Playback Quality SKAA s wireless audio protocol combined with the LiveStage acoustic signature delivers a bigscreen audio experience with near zero audio lag ideal for video playback SKAA s wireless audio protocol combined with the LiveStage acoustic signature delivers a lifelike audio experience with near zero audio lag ideal for fast paced game play Sound synchronization with video can vary or lag with the actual onscreen action, due to Bluetooth audio protocol s higher latency Sound synchronization with video can vary or lag with the actual onscreen action, due to Bluetooth audio protocol s higher latency Range Average 65 30 feet 30 feet Sound synchronization with video can vary or lag with the actual onscreen action, due to Bluetooth audio protocol s higher latency Sound synchronization with video can vary or lag with the actual onscreen action, due to Bluetooth audio protocol s higher latency Expandability Up to four speakers One speaker maximum One speaker maximum Price Range $299-$399 Starts at $299 $299-$599 Size V600 Dimensions: Width: 17.5 (444mm) Height: 7.0 (178mm) Depth: 9.0 (228mm) Width: 10" (256mm) Height: 3.6" (93mm) Depth: 3.1" (80mm) Width: 9.6 in (24.4 cm) Height: 5.1 in (13.0 cm) Depth: 1.9 in (4.8 cm) V400 Dimensions: Width: 10.8 (274mm) Height: 5.4 (137mm) Depth: 6.3 (160mm) Weight V600-11.0 lbs (5.0 kg) V400-4.4 lbs (2.0 kg) 2.7lbs (1.23kg) 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) 10 P a g e