Portability, versatility, and the perfect mobile solution for taking your creativity on the road, the AiAiAi Unit-4 is for you. 

As a DJ and producer over the last 20 years, I’ve seen a lot of powered speakers, all shapes and sizes, primarily designed for wireless convenience in more of a mobile PA type of use case. AiAiAi’s Unit-4 system is one of the most unique powered speaker setups I’ve encountered. It is now my go-to travel monitor for mobile production and sound system for small gatherings.

These speakers aren’t just for the traveling producer or DJ—they’re designed for anyone serious about their audio, whether in a studio, a home setup, or even as part of a live rig (stage monitors even).

The Unit-4 monitors are AiAiAi’s bold step into the wireless studio monitor space using the same proprietary low latency connectivity as their TMA-2 Wireless headphones called W+. Known for their sleek, minimalist designs and commitment to sustainability, AiAiAi takes things further with these highly portable and adaptable speakers. The key selling point? They’re wireless, battery-powered, and equipped with a transmitter that ensures ultra-low-latency streaming—a crucial feature for anyone making beats, mixing, or performing live.

I got a hold of the Unit-4 monitors (as a pair, you can also buy them as a single unit) and tested them for all the applications that most people looking at these monitors would be looking to use them for. I brought them to the mountains, took them to hotels, brought them to friend’s houses, and used them at my desk.

I used them wired and wirelessly with BT and with the W+ low latency transmitter. I covered every way you could use these speakers, so here are my thoughts.

My Thoughts On The AiAiAi Unit-4 Wireless Studio Monitors

Setting up

The first thing you want to do is charge them up to full power, which takes roughly two hours; once that is done, you have around 18-20 hours of playback without power. Keep in mind that if you drive them hard, you will see reduced playback time. There is a W+ and BT mode on the back of each speaker, so you can choose how you want to connect them; you must use the transmitter for W+ mode. Right next to the BT/W+ function controls, there is also a switch for L/R on each unit to delineate your left and right channels when paired for stereo output. The speakers power up quickly and pair easily in BT mode or W+ mode.  

I will break it down for each application below, as there are some significant differences.

DJing

While I love the low latency monitor technology, the big caveat is that when in this mode, the volume is suppressed quite a bit. I used them with DJay Pro on my laptop and the new Denon DJ Prime Go+ stand-alone DJ console with varying results. Where the W+ transmitter would make a difference would be if you were using the Unit-4s as monitors and not the entire system; here, the latency factor would be crucial. 

Laptop only

– When paired with a Macbook Pro M3 laptop using DJay Pro software, the BT connection played an impressive volume, and the latency was almost unnoticeable when mixing with sync on and not trying to beat match. This pairing is an excellent setup for a small house party without any extra kit.

When used with the W+, it’s just too quiet to pump a party, so keep that in mind, and don’t expect to do tight mixing; sync and have fun.

Denon DJ Prime Go+

There were some minor kinks with the Go+, some connectivity issues caused by other BT interference, and some minor latency issues, but the slight delay is easy enough to get used to. The lag is especially noticeable when using FX, volume adjustment, and pulling over the crossfader. So use cables for the speakers if you need to be tight at that house party.

Producing

This is the bullseye for these speakers, so I’ve given them an Editor’s Choice Award. Suppose you like to work out of the studio in inspiring locations like a cabin, a tent, or a picnic table with a view. In that case, these monitors give you precisely what you need outside of a studio environment.

I used them with Logic Pro to make some beats in these locations and flipped them around to rock a campfire vibe in BT mode. The overall versatility of these speakers is just incredible.

Vinyl Playback & Streaming

Connected them via Bluetooth to a Victrola Revolution Go portable record player to listen to vinyl, and they sounded great. For standard streaming from my iPhone, I used Tidal’s highest-quality streaming and messed with the BT EQ settings to dial in the sound for different environments, which all worked well.

Overview

Who is the Speaker System For?

This speaker system is for the modern musician, producer, or DJ who values flexibility without sacrificing audio quality. Whether producing a track in a home studio, mixing at a small house party, or practicing in a temporary space, the Unit-4 fits into any setup seamlessly. These are also great for people who hate cable clutter but demand professional sound. These speakers will be your new best friends if you constantly move between different setups and gigs.

Standout Features

The most obvious standout feature is the Wireless+ technology, or W+ for short. We’ve all dealt with Bluetooth speakers that lag or degrade in quality, but AiAiAi has tackled this problem head-on. The low-latency streaming of just 16 ms feels almost instant, meaning there’s virtually no delay between your source and the monitors. This feature is crucial for live performance and accurate monitoring when you’re recording or mixing. BT playback is also impressive and great for applications like casual DJing or just playing music. Don’t be fooled by the small size; these speakers bump. 

The battery life is another huge win. With 18-20 hours of playtime per charge, the Unit-4s can handle multiple sessions before recharging, making them perfect for extended studio sessions or weekend-long gigs.

What Could Be Better?

While the wireless feature is a game-changer, I wish AiAiAi had packed more power when in W+ mode. At 100 watts per speaker, they’re undoubtedly loud enough for most studio work and DJing in BT mode in small venues, but if you’re used to higher-output monitors, you might find yourself craving more punch. The Unit-4 is great for nearfield monitoring and small parties, but for larger spaces, these will not work and are not what they were designed for.

Another hurdle for some might be the price point, making these a want, not need, type of purchase for many. If you have the loot, they are well worth it because of the pure versatility for many use cases. Given the wireless capability, you’re paying a premium, and while the tech justifies that, those on a tighter budget might hesitate. If wireless isn’t a must-have for you, there are more affordable options in the same sound range, albeit without the freedom of wireless tech.

How is the Sound?

In terms of sound quality, AiAiAi has delivered what you’d expect from a company known for its professional-grade audio gear. The Unit-4 monitors offer a flat frequency response, which is precisely what you want for critical listening and mixing. The highs are crisp without being too sharp, the mids are clear and precise, and while the bass packs enough punch in BT mode to make a small space groove, it’s tight and punchy. 

Specs and What’s in the Box

  • Type: Wireless 2-way Studio Monitor
  • Frequency Response: 46 Hz to 20 kHz
  • Amplifier Power: 100W per unit
  • Bluetooth Transmission Latency: As low as 16 ms (via X01 Wireless+ transmitter)
  • Battery Life: Up to 30 hours of playtime (per charge)
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2, TRS 1/4″, RCA, XLR
  • Weight: 2.3 kg per monitor
  • Materials: Recycled plastic and aluminum, a nod to AiAiAi’s sustainable manufacturing ethos.

Freq. range –40Hz to 40kHz (-10dB)

Freq. response – 50Hz to 20kHz (±2dB)

Peak SPL –105 dBSPL

Woofer – 4-inch high excursion paper cone woofer

Tweeter – 1-inch silk dome tweeter

Amplifier power –2 x 30W continuous, 2 x 80W peak

W+ Link latency – 16 ms

Bluetooth version – 5.2

Analog inputs – 3.5mm mini-jack + 6.3mm TRS balanced

Playback time on battery –20 hours

Charging time – 2 hours

Battery capacity – 77 Wh

Inside the box, you’ll find:

  • Two Unit-4 wireless monitors
  • The X01 Wireless+ Transmitter
  • Power cables and connectors

Final Thoughts

The AiAiAi Unit-4 Wireless Studio Monitors are a solid addition to the wireless audio landscape. They bring portability, low-latency performance, and a design-forward approach to the market, making them a solid choice for producers, DJs, and audio professionals who value flexibility in their setups. While they aren’t the most powerful in terms of raw output, their innovative features and clean sound make them a worthy investment—especially if you’re looking to streamline your workflow without getting tangled in cables.

The post AiAiAi Unit-4 Wireless Studio Monitors Review: Cutting the Cord, Keeping the Clarity – Editor’s Choice Award 2024 appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.