Gradually, traditional desktop speaker combinations have faded from our desks. On one hand, modern desktops are precious real estate; whether in an office or at home, if the space isn’t large enough, the 2.0, 2.1, or even 5.1 and 7.1 setups that “old-school” players used years ago simply can’t fit comfortably. On the other hand, portable speakers have surged in popularity. They not only take up less space but also offer mobility for various use cases. If there isn’t a significant difference in sound quality, traditional setups are finding it increasingly difficult to reclaim their place on our desks.

This brings me to the recent arrival of the Sony CAS-1 at our editorial office. This micro Hi-Fi desktop sound system made its debut at last year’s IFA and was launched at the end of the year. It is one of the few systems in Sony’s product line aimed at the mass consumer market (as opposed to traditional amplifiers for audiophiles). It offers more substance than traditional 2.0 or 2.1 setups and has garnered a decent reputation among audio enthusiasts, indicating its quality. We also had the opportunity to experience its performance in a working environment.

Upon unboxing, everything inside is clear at a glance. The CAS-1 is relatively compact, but it comes with a variety of components. Besides the two speaker units, the presence of a decoding and amplification host can be a significant indicator. Additionally, there’s a remote control, connection cables, replacement spikes, and two steel plates. The steel plates are 5mm thick and are used with the spikes at the bottom of the CAS-1 to prevent desktop resonance. This is more commonly seen in Hi-Fi equipment, and Sony has lowered the entry barrier.

By changing the spikes, the speaker units can be elevated by 8 degrees, which is particularly relevant for desktop systems.

Looking closely, both speaker units are made of a deep brown Scandinavian birch wood on the top, bottom, and sides, featuring a unique grain and a very comfortable texture; the front and back are made of medium-density fiberboard, which ensures the speaker units and internal structure are solid and stable. The bass reflex design at the bottom also raises expectations for low-frequency performance. The CAS-1 uses a 14mm diameter soft dome tweeter paired with a 62mm diameter cone-shaped carbon fiber bass driver. While not large, the sound quality isn’t solely determined by the diameter of the units, especially in the CAS-1 setup, where the focus is more on the host unit.

What can we see on the host unit? At the top is the Hi-Res logo, which has become a symbol of high-quality audio standards in Sony’s audio products in recent years; then there’s the NFC logo, indicating that connecting with mobile playback devices can be greatly simplified. Additionally, this host unit features S-Master HX digital amplifier technology, DSEE HX digital sound enhancement engine, a low-volume mode that optimizes and compensates for sound, LDAC Bluetooth high-quality audio technology, and a headphone amplifier function that supports headphones with higher impedance.

The headphone jack at the bottom supports headphones of different impedances, selectable via high and low gain options.

The rear ports include high and low gain, Bluetooth pairing, and smart shutdown, etc. Although it’s a professional device, it’s still user-friendly.

NFC and Hi-Res logos.

The bottom is entirely dedicated to heat dissipation.

In terms of connectivity, besides the conventional Bluetooth wireless connection to mobile phones or other playback devices, we can also connect to a PC via the rear USB port, or insert a USB drive or other storage device into the front USB port for playback. Essentially, for the average consumer, the CAS-1 can be understood as a component similar to a home theater amplifier, integrating all of Sony’s top audio technologies into a compact unit.

The installation process is also very straightforward. For novice users, while it isn’t as simple as plugging in a 3.5mm jack, understanding how to use high-quality audio cables is intuitive. Just pay attention to the polarity (the cable with black is negative, while the uncolored is positive), then plug them into the corresponding colored ports on the host or speaker, tighten them, and you’re done. It’s also important to note the left and right channels of the speaker units, ensuring they are placed on either side of the user. In fact, the CAS-1 packaging even includes a diagram for placement, but most ordinary users won’t need to be that meticulous.

Starting to use it is equally simple. Bluetooth searches for devices, and both mobile phones and computers can connect directly (Windows requires drivers). If using the USB port, both the host and remote can switch to A or B (A being a USB storage device, B includes computers and Walkman audio docks). The power button on the host and a round button below the three input indicator lights are responsible for switching audio sources.

Sony has also provided an app for this system, which we can download called SongPal. It’s not exactly a driver but more of an extension application, allowing us to switch input methods directly or link to local players and online music platforms like Xiami (though linking essentially redirects to the respective app, which is simple and straightforward). It’s not a must-have but adds another layer of functionality.

The significance of the CAS-1 lies in its ability to provide a Hi-Fi experience in a more accessible desktop setup for mainstream consumers. It is optimized for near-field use, with a suitable listening distance of 75cm, compared to traditional desktop setups that require at least 1 to 1.5 meters. Furthermore, it includes specific optimizations for low frequencies and has dedicated circuit boards for speakers and headphones, professionally catering to both needs (listening to music through headphones is a common activity in daily life or work). All these factors make the CAS-1 a compelling choice for anyone’s desktop.

While sound quality is subjective, personally, listening to the CAS-1 is a very enjoyable experience. Sony has clearly optimized for the vocals and mid-high frequencies that are most commonly heard in popular music and daily listening, resulting in excellent clarity and a pleasing sound. A plethora of enhancement technologies, which we’ve experienced since the Walkman, shine through, and thanks to the design of the speaker units, the CAS-1 has a distinct advantage in depth and presence. Together, these elements allow the CAS-1 to achieve a noteworthy emotional impact purely through sound, which is a feat that many systems relying on artificial enhancements cannot match.

Throughout the usage process, the CAS-1 provides a sense of ease. Many people have likely experienced using sound systems with vague positioning, leading to a muddled sound that creates anxiety for listeners. In contrast, listening to the CAS-1 does not evoke such feelings; the volume can be adjusted up or down, remaining clear and crisp without muddiness. Whether playing through speakers or headphones, it caters to individual preferences. If you’re concerned about a professional sound system being too bulky for your desk this summer, the CAS-1 will completely dispel those worries.

Further Reading: Perspectives from Enthusiasts and Audiophiles

Weibo @D丁C丁A丁D丁 (Digital Enthusiast, Audio Industry Professional)

With the impact of economic and social changes on consumer demographics, the mainstream audio-visual market is also gradually evolving. Traditional Hi-Fi/home theater manufacturers are awakening to the need to adapt and thrive in the future by not being confined to professional, specialized, or high-end products. Instead, they need to step out of the audio-visual room and into living rooms, studies, and bedrooms (even gardens and kitchens). The younger consumer demographic is shifting from the older generation’s focus on “tinkering” to an emphasis on “enjoyment”.

The emergence of the CAS-1 seems to reflect Sony’s desire to revive the glory days of bedside/desktop sound systems. If professional Hi-Fi is a form of “seeking,” then the CAS-1 is about “enjoying.” This product strikes a relatively precise balance among simplicity, sound quality, and price. It’s suitable for headphone enthusiasts to understand high-fidelity sound systems, for non-CD players with plenty of digital sources, and for ordinary users who want to listen to music at home using their ever-present smartphones.

So how does this compact speaker achieve relatively excellent sound? The CAS-1 still employs the traditional “small but mighty” combination. For small speakers, a bass reflex design is essential, and the carbon fiber unit in the CAS-1 excels in low-frequency speed, depth, and layering compared to other units of similar size. High-end audio brands often use carbon fiber units, such as the top-tier carbon fiber used by Eggleston. Although the effective diaphragm area of this unit is small, its combination with the cabinet structure fully meets the near-field listening requirements without sounding inadequate or artificial.

The tweeter features a slightly shallow horn structure, but due to overall size constraints, it’s preferable to adjust the tweeter’s axis angle using the spikes. The internal crossover is suspended, simplifying from high-end audio’s multi-axis shock-absorbing structures. Coupled with the spikes designed for near-field listening and the fundamental and effective damping pads commonly found in Hi-Fi, it can be said that the CAS-1 is indeed a “small bird with all vital organs intact.”

Weibo @Zackbuks (Famous Sony Fan)

The Sony CAS-1 is a compact desktop Hi-Fi system that combines standard 2.0 separated speakers with an amplifier. The amplifier not only supports conventional digital/analog wired Hi-Res connections but also Sony’s proprietary high-resolution wireless Bluetooth audio transmission technology LDAC, offering three Hi-Res audio listening modes: wireless open mode (LDAC, AAC, SBC, AirPlay, DLNA), wired open mode (AUX, digital/analog wired), and wired personal mode (direct headphone connection equivalent to PHA-2’s headphone amplifier function, night low-volume mode).

In terms of sound quality, the CAS-1 provides clear and transparent audio performance with excellent high-frequency response and high separation. One of the highlights of this speaker is that even when the volume is lowered late at night, the night low-volume mode still offers an expansive soundstage, allowing you to immerse yourself in music without disturbing others.

The CAS-1 is one of the few desktop Hi-Fi systems Sony has released in recent years. Compared to the X88 and 99 integrated speakers launched around the same time, it offers a wider variety of listening methods. Its separated and angled design allows you to easily find the best listening angle. With rich features and diverse functionalities, it is undoubtedly an interesting gadget for many audio-visual enthusiasts.

Sony CAS-1 High-Fidelity Audio ComponentReference Price: 6100 Yuan

Purchase Channels:Sony China Official Website / JD