Appearance:
Well, the speakers are outright cute measuring 3.25 inches high, deep and wide, are available in three colours and come with attractive brushed aluminum stands on which they can be mounted. They connect to the computer’s USB terminal with an included cable and link to one another with another included RCA-terminated cable. The set-up and configuration for the computer is easy to do in a couple of minutes and the speakers are ready to go.

Technology:
UCubes receive digital audio data directly from your computer via the USB port. The signal is equalized to perfectly match the BMR driver and its enclosure with advanced, proprietary DSP resulting in a wideband and smoothly balanced frequency response.

I understand that UCube™ design is based on technology used in the audio, rather than the computer industry, which is why it took a couple of years to bring the speakers to consumers. Just like any good audio design, these USB-powered speakers were asked to handle dynamics and a reasonable sound pressure level from the modest 2.5 watts (5 Volts/05 Amps) the USB port provides. It was accomplished with the use of a built-in class-D amplifier which boasts a “smart” DSP-controlled power supply that limits current-draw from the computer’s USB port to 500 mA, thus complying with USB specifications. However, in addition, the power supply provides a variable voltage proportional to the audio signal to the built-in class-D amplifier and stores energy when it isn’t needed (during quiet musical passages). This technology allows the UCube amplifier to deliver a potent power output 12 to 15 times greater than conventional USB-powered designs.

The specially designed BMR driver (the speaker called a “balanced mode radiator”) is a full-range flat diaphragm transducer that can handle low and high frequencies without using a crossover. The UCube driver distributes higher frequencies with wide dispersion and off-axis performance up to 170 degrees. Specifications: Bandwidth (-6dB points) 100 Hz – 18 kHz; sensitivity 83dB at 1W/1m; nominal impedance 8 ohms; calculated maximum SPL 96dB at 1m.

The Sound:
I first played some of my favourite i-Tune radio stations — New Orleans’ Jazz FM and a number of classical stations -- and I wasn’t impressed (I was never impressed with the speaker I owned for years —powered Yamahas) at first. However, I checked my (computer) equalizer and found that it was all over the place. I adjusted it to “flat” and listened again. This time, I was quite surprised; the highs were crystal clear, the midrange (vocals) was articulate and the bass, though on the lean side, had enough harmonic structure to make it perceptible and pleasant sounding. I think that the alternative — booming bass — is more distracting from the music and that it is more important to provide listeners with a coherent, melodic performance. The UCubes did just that.

But what really got my audio soul excited was the speakers’ recreation of a good sound stage and great focus on instrument and voices. Playing back some of my CDs on the computer drive proved to be even better than the more compressed signals available via Internet. I have no hesitation recommending the UCubes to anyone who wishes to achieve higher fidelity than currently offered by retailers of computer gadgetry.

Synopsis & Commentary:
Although I am not inclined to use my computer for audio playback, I have to admit that the UCube speakers match many of the performance characteristics I am looking for when I review expensive loudspeakers. The lack of deep bass is understandable, considering the size of the loudspeakers. However, bass performance is still remarkably similar to the performance of many small audio-only speakers. The frequencies above the specified 100Hz are handled with natural ease and that certain touch of high-end that prompted this evaluation in the first place. I urge you to try a pair, because I believe the price is right and the performance is great — a combination rarely found in any industry.