Ascada 2.0

"The fact that the superior configuration,
excellent workmanship and outstanding sound
quality is available for just € 600 must be a joke."
Ascada 2.0
Lise-Meitner-Str. 9 · 50259 Pulheim · Germany · www.heco-audio.de
i-fidelity.net
11 | 2014
Ascada 2.0
Lise-Meitner-Str. 9 · 50259 Pulheim · Germany · www.heco-audio.de
A good joke...
Heco's Ascada 2.0 is a compact active
speaker that can be used for a wide variety of
applications. At i-fidelity.net we have found
more than one perfect use for it.
The new active compact Ascada 2.0 speaker was
presented at the IFA in Berlin and, costing € 600 per
pair, it seems very reasonably priced.
Flawless workmanship and an attractive design
are typical of Heco products. Both aspects are
unquestionably fulfilled by the Ascada 2.0. The
baffle is inclined for mechanical runtime correction
between the 12.5 cm bass-midrange driver and the
25 mm dome tweeter. This makes sense physically
and also looks attractive. The pair consists of an
active and passive speaker. The active speaker
incorporates the amplifiers for both bass reflex
drivers. The passive speaker, which in this case
is the left channel speaker, is connected using a
normal speaker cable.
The Ascada 2.0 is designed for flexible use, which
demands the appropriate connection options.
Heco has really splashed out in this regard. Digital
signals can be delivered via USB, optical fibre or
coaxial cable. A pair of RCA jacks are provided for
connecting analogue sources such as a preamplifier
or for connecting a CD player directly. If that's not
enough, you can also transfer music to the Ascada
2.0 via Bluetooth. And that's not all: There's a
corresponding output for connecting a subwoofer
when using the speakers in large rooms, as well as a
USB port that is provided as a pure battery charging
socket. What is most pleasing in comparison to its
numerous competitors, however, is the technical
expenditure afforded to the Ascada 2.0 by Heco's
developers. This starts with the six screws on the
front of the woofer chassis, which is an element that
is not normally perceived by the average consumer.
Most manufacturers normally only use four screws
here, but this is often reflected in a lack of precision
during playback. The rear of the cleanly embedded
active module would normally also be secured in
place by four or six screw connections – but there
are ten here (!).
This is quality
The power amplifier isn't just any off-the-rack
construction either. Its basis is formed by a properly
dimensioned toroidal transformer, which is supplied
with energy by the power transistors that are
mounted on a solid heat sink. All circuit boards are
manufactured in SMD technology and, in the case
of the digital input board, are even divided into
two levels. Even if a heavy load is produced over a
prolonged period, the rear of the speaker only gets
moderately warm.
In most cases the Ascada 2.0 will be operated
via the supplied remote control. This, in addition
to its switch-on, switch-off, mute and input
selection functions, also enables skip and play/
pause functions, even when playing a track from a
Bluetooth source. On the outer right-hand side of
the unit there are also three knobs for adjusting the
volume, bass and treble levels.
We initially placed the Ascada 2.0 next to the
monitor we use for our computer, which is equipped
with iTunes and Audirvana. In addition, we also have
another programme called "Decibel" for playing
high-resolution tracks. Pink Floyd's album "The
Endless River" is all the rage these days and is
available on vinyl, CD and Blu-ray, as well as a digital
download from HighResAudio. It's amazing how
well Heco's active unit brings the audio nuances to
light. The 24/96 FLAC file of "Ansina" really moved
us as the saxophone is reproduced in an extremely
bright and energetic manner. In contrast, the ripped
CD sounds a bit tired and washed out.
But the real surprise is the amazing sound quality
generated by the Ascada 2.0. While it is equipped
with an output for an external subwoofer, this
would probably only prove beneficial in very few
cases. That's because the fundamental bass power
generated by this sound transducer is more than
sufficient. It's simply astounding what the compact
active speaker is capable of in terms of its bass
range. The track "Heute" from the album "Rekord"
by 'Die Fantastischen Vier' results in a deep bass
orgy that would even put a number of car audio
systems to shame. The small gap of just 1.2 metres
between each transducer naturally contributes to
this listening pleasure.
Signals are transferred flawlessly at a distance of
up to ten metres with a free line of sight. In terms
of sound there's nothing to complain about, as long
as you refrain from comparing it to the direct signal
input via USB, as this offers more liveliness, more
dynamics and clearer contours. This is wonderfully
demonstrated by John Illsley's "Railway Tracks",
which starts with a punchy percussive sound and by
the time the vocals kick in the difference reproduced
by the USB connection is abundantly clear.
Finally, we revert to our stereo system. Positioned on
70 cm stands, the Ascada 2.0 speakers managed to
reproduce a reasonable sound stage. Thanks to its
sound controls the bass range can be boosted in a
freely arranged setup. However, this only comes into
its own if the room isn't too big.
Conclusion:
Heco has created a versatile set of speakers with
its Ascada 2.0 series. Whether it's used to enhance
a computer system or TV, or simply as an extension
to a smartphone, it ensures musical enjoyment in
every scenario. We managed to produce optimum
audio perfection with high-definition tracks that
we played from our computer via our "Decibel"
programme. The fact that the superior configuration,
excellent workmanship and outstanding sound
quality is available for just € 600 must be a joke.
But a reasonably priced joke that's worth repeating.
PRICE TIP
Sound quality: Outstanding
Configuration: Outstanding
Turning boys into men
Workmanship: Very good
Away from the computer we now turn our attention
to our flat-screen TV, which is equipped with an
optical digital output and can be connected to
the Ascada 2.0 via a fibre optic cable. Compared
to a soundbar, the spatial stereo image produced
by these speakers is clearly superior. This is of
particular benefit to action-packed scenes.
Overall rating: Outstanding
Even the presenter of "heute
journal", Claus Kleber, benefits
from
this
active
sound
reproduction, as he now
sounds more like a man than
a "Mainzelmann" (a cartoon
leprechaun in Germany). Without
question, Heco's speakers are
also suitable for use on the left
and right-hand side of the TV.
Anyone with a Bluetooth-enabled
smartphone, tablet or laptop
will also be able to use these to
control the Ascada 2.0.