LD Systems ANNY 8 | Link Audio | RRP: $899
Many of you will know the LD Systems brand, and you’ll have used their products before, to great success. There are a lot of you who may not have such an intimate understanding of the products they create, but there’s a good chance you’ve heard and enjoyed them at an event already. LD Systems have made a name for themselves in loudspeaker design, and have taken that further to fully integrated systems for big touring acts right down to solo artists with limited space. Products like their compact line array systems have redefined audio manufacturing, as they continue to push the boundaries of innovation and design. It’s that innovation, with the needs of musicians in mind, which brings us right down to the other end of LD Systems’ product line, with their most compact, and most portable speaker system: the ANNY 8.
So, the first glance at this speaker comes with favourable results. I’ve used and tested hundreds of different PA speakers over the past four decades, and whilst some are designed just for sound, it’s nice to have one that looks good too. After all, there’s a good chance that this speaker is going to be featured right alongside the user, so its looks are actually rather important. A bold framework in the outer shell houses a grille that isn’t covering the entire front face. The result is a box that appears even smaller than what it actually is, especially with the smooth contour on the top edge, and subtle angles around the box. With the ability to kick back on angle too, it works just as well on the floor like a monitor, as it does on a speaker mount or stand. For mobile DJs, solo acts, wedding celebrants and corporate presentations, looks are still a key factor. A key factor that wasn’t overlooked by LD Systems, as they have thought of the user in every aspect of this design.
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Of course, the most important element in a loudspeaker is the sound. With an 8-inch woofer and 1-inch tweeter, the ANNY8 is on the smaller side, at least on paper. In action, it is a different story. This speaker has some real guts to it. A full range bottom end delivers a good punch, and plenty of low frequency growl, which is curtailed from distortion thanks to the internal DSP processing that ensures crystal clear sound even at full volume. One sounds great, two of these speakers really bring added depth to the sound quality. With the True Wireless Stereo (TWS) system, you can link a pair of these speakers via Bluetooth and have the stereo spread balanced between the two. No cables are required!
Being battery powered is the big key to success here. Especially for users like wedding celebrants and buskers, who often need amplification where power is not always an option. At full music volume, the ANNY 8 can operate for 3 & 1/2 hours, with battery life extending up to 11 hours in ECO mode. A four section LED strip shows battery life to give you an idea of how you’re travelling at a glance. The battery can be charged back to 80% in just three hours, so you can be ready to go in very little time, with a full charge complete in five hours. Plus, the battery is easily replaced, with additional batteries available as an optional extra, you can keep the party going indefinitely.
There are a host of added features in this unit that have it stand out from a typical loudspeaker. The in-built 5-channel mixer offers EQ and effects from a DSP driven platform to allow you to have everything set up and ready to go. I really like the layout and simplicity of the mixer on the rear of the unit. The controls feel solid and smooth to operate too, which gives me confidence in its prolonged use. A series of connections are available, with XLR, TRS, RCA and USB connectivity supplied in the mixer panel. But of course, wireless connection is available via Bluetooth as well, so the ANNY 8 can operate as a completely isolated unit with no cables attached at all, should you wish. A neat little cradle for a smartphone or tablet is also built into the top of the unit, behind the offset handle, so you can have your streaming device right there if need be.
As part of the ANNY range, there are options with a wireless receiver and either handheld or belt pack microphone. For both wireless and wired microphone use, a ducking option for vocals can be engaged when using the system for announcements. They really have thought of everything.
LD Systems pride themselves in their product development to ensure that the needs of end users are met. With the ANNY 8, it is easy to see that they have continued to do just that. For the mobile DJ, wedding celebrant, busker, expo presenter, or even for friends just wanting an impromptu party in the park, the LD Systems ANNY 8 delivers what is needed. And does it well. This portable speaker system is a testament to just how far battery powered amplification has come in the past 10 or 15 years. The features and sound quality offered by the ANNY 8 really do set a new benchmark, and the price point is exceptional, considering what is on offer.
So, don’t just take my word for it. Get into your local LD Systems dealers and pick one up, you’ll marvel in the weight and the balance of the unit. Then have a listen to a demo model and you’ll hear what I was talking about. It will be easy to understand how this could improve your mobile setup for a range of options. Compact, sleek, and feature-packed, the LD Systems ANNY8 has brought big system thinking into a very portable space.
For local enquiries, keep reading at Link Audio.
