MarkAudio-Sota’s Tozzi One audio system ship trendy styling and audiophile sound with a small footprint. They’re an ideal complement for residence dwellers or anybody with a smaller listening room.
I first got here throughout the MarkAudio-Sota Tozzi One audio system on the 2017 New York Audio Show. Whereas visiting varied producer demos, I noticed the Tozzi One audio system flanking a VP1 turntable and a PS Audio Sprout built-in amplifier on an extended dresser. The setup appeared fashionable and compact. Quick ahead a couple of months and the MarkAudio-Sota workforce despatched me an identical setup for this evaluate
As soon as I unboxed the system, I appreciated its compact dimensions much more. The PS Audio Sprout is concerning the measurement of a giant exterior onerous drive. The U-Flip Orbit Plus is a mere 16-and-Three/Four-inches lengthy. And the Tozzi One audio system? They’re simply 15.75 x 11.eight x 11 inches.
MarkAudio-Sota affords a 30 day money back guarantee so you may check out the audio system in your house. Your solely obligation is to pay return transport for those who determine they are not an excellent match for you.
Bullseye
The MarkAudio-Sota Tozzi One audio system characteristic a single, full-range driver. Most individuals are accustomed to seeing two-way audio system, with a separate tweeter dealing with the excessive frequencies and a separate woofer dealing with the midrange and bass frequencies. Some audiophiles swear by single, full-range driver designs as a result of there aren’t any crossover networks and section points to deal with.
Within the case of the Tozzi One, that single driver is recessed within the heart of the speaker’s wave information, making the speaker look a bit like a goal. There aren’t any material grilles accompanying the speaker, so be certain little youngsters don’t put their fingers within the bullseye, probably damaging the motive force.
The Tozzi One is a single, full-range driver design. The enclosure’s wave information makes it appear like a bullseye.
The Tozzi One’s enclosure feels stable. There’s nothing low-cost or flimsy right here. The audio system weigh in at Three.13 kilos every and are available in your alternative of charcoal, ruby, or pearl finishes. The rear of the audio system have five-way binding posts. You should use your alternative of banana plugs, spades, or naked speaker wire. The evaluate setup got here with banana plugs.
The Tozzi One audio system have a nominal impedance of 6 Ohms, so that you received’t have an issue driving these audio system with any built-in amplifier or A/V receiver. You will after all need to use the best-quality electronics you may, after all, and the Sprout made for an excellent associate right here. It is an built-in amplifier, which suggests a two-channel stereo unit with each a preamp (to deal with your music sources and quantity) and an amplifier (offering energy to the audio system) in a single enclosure.
The Tozzi One are available in your alternative of three colours.
The Tozzi One’s rated anechoic frequency response vary isn’t terribly deep (80Hz to 22kHz at ±6db). Utilizing take a look at tone frequency sweeps from my Revel LFO take a look at CD, the Tozzi One audio system gave me bass output that exceeded the printed specs. In the event you use the very same evaluate setup outlined right here, you would possibly see usable bass into the 60Hz vary, because of the PS Sprout’s design, as I observe additional on on this evaluate.
Easy setup
I arrange the Tozzi One audio system with a slight toe-in on a 35-inch-tall bookcase. The Tozzi One’s cupboards tilt up barely, which is able to serve them properly in cases the place they’re arrange under ear stage.
The PS Audio Sprout built-in amplifier and U-Flip Orbit Plus Turntable (with acrylic platter and Orfotron OM 5E cartridge) discovered a snug dwelling between the Tozzi One audio system.
A charming vinyl expertise
I don’t assume I’ve had any evaluate gear that’s captivated my family’s consideration as a lot because the Tozzi One setup. My youngsters and friends have been fixated by the design and sound of the system. Considered one of my youngsters requested “Is it simply me, or do the vinyl data really sound higher?” Children can discover a distinction between vinyl and digital? You wager.
The truth is, the Tozzi One created a tectonic shift in my family’s listening habits. I discovered my youngsters pulling out file after file from our family assortment so we might play it. Maybe the factor that shocked me most was seeing a Supreme’s LP sitting on the turntable! My youngsters do not even know who the Supremes are. Can the Tozzi One deliver vinyl again into your private home? Verify.
As with most high-quality monitor and micro audio system, the Tozzi One excelled at making a centered, detailed soundstage. The Tozzi One performed music cleanly and reproduced microdynamics properly. It was straightforward to select devices and vocals firmly positioned in house and time. The Tozzi One relished in reproducing well-mixed albums, akin to Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Dangerous. Complicated musical layers on “Dangerous” have been simply discernible, with clear articulation and no important lack of texture.
Vinyl, vinyl, in all places. The Tozzi One setup was an enormous hit in my home.
As I discussed, the Tozzi One’s bass response exceeded my expectations. For instance, taking part in the 24-bit/192-kHz high-resolution FLAC model of the Darkish Knight Rises soundtrack by means of the Sprout’s USB DAC confirmed each the Tozzi One audio system’ strengths and limitations. The Tozzi One audio system did an honest job on the bass-rumbling monitor, “Think about the Hearth,” however had no output by any means on the identical monitor’s deepest notes.
Bass notes have been punchy and dynamic. Come to seek out out, the bass might been receiving a little bit further profit from the PS Audio Sprout’s amplifier, which Stereophile Magazine’s John Atkinson notes in his measurements. In the event you’re searching for electronics to pair with the Tozzi One, the Sprout is an efficient possibility.
Electronics apart, it’s all concerning the music. I misplaced monitor of what number of albums and artists I spun on the Tozzi One system. Adele, P!nk, Elton John, Yo-Yo Ma, John Williams, Mozart, Pearl Jam, and Sade to call only a few. I particularly loved Sting’s Nothing Just like the Solar on vinyl. The Tozzi One did a positive job reproducing silky clean soprano saxophone notes current on lots of the album’s songs, together with “Sister Moon”.
The PS Audio Sprout built-in amplifier is smaller than a compact reference ebook.
I felt as if the Tozzi One wanted to play at reasonable to excessive volumes to open up. At decrease volumes, the general sound is a bit skinny, particularly within the midrange. Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me was an excellent instance. Jones’ breathy vocals appeared too recessed, as if there wasn’t sufficient midrange vitality. And it doesn’t matter what quantity I performed the Tozzi One, the audio system could not fairly reproduce the complete physique of piano notes all through the album.
Whether or not you fall in love with the Tozzi One system’s general tonal stability will probably be a matter of non-public desire. There are some trade-offs within the bass and midrange, however that comes with the territory at this measurement and value level. In different phrases, the Tozzi One is not a excellent speaker, but it surely certain is a enjoyable one.
And my youngsters don’t need that enjoyable to cease. Once they realized that the Tozzi One evaluate set could be going again quickly, let’s simply say it triggered a little bit of a stir.
The Tozzi One has 5 approach binding posts on the rear.
An long-term musical funding
Compact, fashionable, audiophile-grade audio system that received’t break the financial institution are a uncommon discover. At $445 a pair, the MarkSota-Audio Tozzi One audio system are simply that: Audiophile enjoyable on a funds. Paired with a easy built-in amplifier, you may arrange the Tozzi One together with your pc for a high-quality desktop sound system. For lower than $1,300 you may put collectively this entire evaluate setup—cables and all—for a full-blown vinyl, high-res, and Bluetooth wi-fi playback system. If you wish to save $200, MarkSota-Audio will quickly offer the bundle at for a reduced value of $1,095. This method is clearly an funding; but it surely’s a purchase order you’ll take pleasure in for years to come back.