The requirements for modern speaker systems are very different nowadays. While a simple Bluetooth speaker with a focus on bass is often sufficient for private households, the demands of musicians, DJs or event organizers are more focused on a balanced sound and flexible use. This is exactly where the manufacturer LD Systems comes in with the ANNY 8, a compact active speaker with outstanding sound quality. A particularly wide dispersion angle of 120 x 60 ° and a tilt-back enclosure should ensure even better sound dispersion in the room or outdoors.
The test clarifies how the ANNY 8 from LD Systems performs in the test and whether it is suitable for use in the studio as well as for small to medium-sized live performances.
Technical data
| Model | ANNY 8 |
| color | Stage Black |
| Dimensions (L x W x D) | 390 x 249 x 282 mm |
| Type | Active |
| Power: RMS | 80 W |
| Power: Peak | 160 W |
| Max. SPL (sine burst): Ø | 110 dB |
| Max. SPL (sine burst): Peak | 117 dB |
| Beam angle (H x V) | 120 x 60 ° |
| Crossover frequency | 1800 Hz |
| Frequency response (-10dB) | 53 – 20000 Hz |
| weight | 8.8 kg |
| price | € 502.16 * |
Scope of delivery
- Shipped in double box
- Includes speaker, mains cable, manual and sticker set
The LD Systems ANNY 8 is transported in a double box to ensure that the contents of the packaging are adequately protected. In addition to the ANNY 8 itself, the scope of delivery also includes the associated mains cable with operating instructions and a set of stickers.
Appearance & finish
- Bass-reflex design with 8″ woofer and 1″ tweeter
- Carrying handle makes transportation considerably easier
- Robust ABS plastic housing
As soon as it is unpacked, it becomes clear that the LD Systems ANNY 8 has a lot to offer. The 8 stands for the diameter of the bass-midrange driver in inches, which measures 20.3 cm in this model. There is also a 1 inch tweeter to adequately cover this zone. Weighing just under 9 kg, the active loudspeaker is easy to transport thanks to the carrying handle on the top. There is also a recess for a cell phone, for example, which can be very practical for live gigs or in the studio. The controls are on the back, where the display and various rotary controls are also located. The power connection is located on the bottom right-hand side, together with the power switch.
In terms of workmanship, the LD Systems ANNY 8 shows no weaknesses. Its housing is extremely robust and the beveled underside allows a fixed alignment, which leads to better sound distribution in the room. But no matter how you want to set up the speaker, whether tilted or upright, the rubber coating covers the entire underside. In this way, abrasions are reduced to a minimum. The design of the cabinet corresponds to the bass reflex construction, while the choice of material is ABS plastic.
Features
- Integrated 5-channel mixer with 3-band EQ
- Gets up to 117 dB loud
- Distortion-free playback thanks to DynX DSP
The LD Systems ANNY 8 is equipped with a 5-channel mixer including 3-band EQ as well as reverb and delay functions. A peak output of 160 watts is available, while the RMS output is specified as 80 watts. All in all, the active compact loudspeaker can reach a volume of up to 117 decibels, which is comparable to a chainsaw or a rock concert, provided you are in the immediate vicinity of the speakers.
DynX DSP ensures distortion-free playback even at high volumes by balancing the dynamics of the audio signal. This also reduces the potential problem of clipping, which often occurs at maximum volume. A priority/ducking mode ensures that an audio signal is automatically attenuated as soon as another signal is detected. This can be particularly useful for musicians to emphasize the voice from the microphone and put the actual music in the background. The footswitch input is used for hands-free control of effects. If you own two ANNY 8s from LD Systems, you can link the two speakers together via TWS, which enables stereo playback.
For uncomplicated transportation, LD Systems offers its own cases or even a complete backpack as an accessory. The latter was made available to us for the test. The padding of the backpack is 8 mm thick and the fabric is made of water-repellent 1680D nylon. This is particularly useful if you are often on the move, as the ANNY 8 itself is not IP-certified and is therefore not waterproof or water-repellent. The inner compartments and outer pocket of the backpack provide additional storage space for other accessories.
Operation
- Menu navigation via volume control
- Volume control per input possible
- Charging of other devices via USB-C port
The LD Systems ANNY 8 is controlled via the volume control, which is located to the right of the LCD display. Unlike the other controls, this can also be pressed to navigate through the menus. In addition, there are dedicated rotary controls in the second row, which can be used specifically to influence the volume of the respective input. The next row contains two combo sockets for mic/line and a stereo channel with 3.5 mm jack and AUX respectively. There are also two connections for RCA and an XLR mix output next to the mains connection. This gives the ANNY 8 a total of five physical inputs and one mix output.
The USB-C port, which allows other devices to be charged, seems useful. The smartphone or tablet can be inserted into the corresponding holder at the top and charged at the same time. The current charge status of the battery can be read below the USB-C port and is indicated by four white LEDs.
Battery life
- Up to 11 hours in Eco preset or 3.5 hours at full load
- 5,000 mAh replaceable battery with 5 hours charging time
- Charging takes place when switched on or in charge mode
In terms of battery life, the small active speaker in the ANNY series lasts up to 11 hours without interruption. The condition is that the speaker is operated in Eco preset, which can be found in the settings. If the LD Systems ANNY 8 is pushed to its limits, i.e. the controls are turned all the way up and the preset is used for music, this results in a runtime of approx. 3.5 hours. If the battery runs out, it can be recharged as usual or, if it has to be done quickly, it can be removed and replaced directly. The battery compartment is located on the underside of the device. The replaceable battery has a capacity of 5,000 mAh and takes approx. 5 hours to fully charge. LD Systems offers additional exchangeable batteries for purchase in its online store.
The power plug for charging the LD Systems ANNY 8 is a bit of a strange solution, as the battery is not charged if the speaker is still in the OFF state. To do this, the ANNY 8 must be explicitly switched on or set to CHARGE mode. You should bear this fact in mind before setting off to a live gig with an empty ANNY 8. The same applies to manual switch-off when not in use, as the active loudspeaker does not have an automatic switch-off function.
Sound quality
- Natural sound with clear treble and harmonious bass
- Five presets and EQ settings from -12 to +12 dB
- Bluetooth 5.0 support, but without aptX
Now we come to the actual heart of the LD Systems ANNY 8, the sound. Here, the sound is very balanced ex works with a focus on naturalness. Compared to a JBL Boombox 3, which is very bass-heavy out of the box, there is no need for this here. This also corresponds to the area of application, as you would expect exactly the same with studio monitors. But don’t get the wrong idea: The sound is by no means a negative aspect; on the contrary, the voices and all acoustic elements appear more harmonious and balanced as a result.
Turning up the volume control produces a wonderful sound effect. While other speakers, such as the aforementioned JBL Boombox 3, start to distort, this is not the case here. On the contrary, the output of the LD Systems ANNY 8 is louder and the bass is more prominent, albeit in a positive sense. This extends across all music genres tested – from techno to hip-hop to deep rap. Accordingly, the LD Systems ANNY 8 delivers an impeccable sound result and makes other Bluetooth speakers easily disappear in your pocket. At this point, the price aspect should of course also be taken into account, which is at different levels.
For preset fans, there are five variants to choose from: Music, Live, Vocal, Eco and Flat. If you prefer a bit more bass and power, choose Music, while Eco mode is the preferred choice for longer use. The EQs for highs, mids and lows are equipped with a control range of -12 to +12 dB. The general volume is even more extensive and ranges from -80 to +12 dB. Bluetooth 5.0 and the SBC and AAC audio codecs are also supported. On the other hand, anyone interested in aptX will be left out in the cold. During the test with our Android smartphone, only SBC was available. Of course, this shouldn’t make too much of a difference with loudspeakers, but the difference would be more noticeable with headphones.
LD Systems ANNY 8 test: Conclusion
The compact LD Systems ANNY 8 active loudspeaker is visually restrained and is particularly impressive where it counts. And that is the balanced and rich sound! The system’s range of functions is extensive, although the volume control is somewhat cumbersome. However, once configured to your own preferences, the LD Systems ANNY 8 is incredibly enjoyable and can easily fill even larger rooms with sound. Added to this is the practical tilt-back enclosure, which ensures better sound dispersion in the surrounding area.
If you are looking for an active speaker with many inputs, a replaceable battery and convenient transportation, the LD Systems ANNY 8 is the right choice. Deductions must be made in terms of design: after all, you will be looking in vain for LED lighting and app support. If you take these aspects into account, you are probably better off with the standard Bluetooth speakers from well-known manufacturers. Here you have to decide which target group you want to belong to. For audiophiles, the LD Systems ANNY 8 is certainly the better product, even if you have to dig a little deeper into your pocket for this speaker. Musicians who want to buy the ANNY 8 for live gigs or studio use will benefit from the wide range of functions.
LD Systems ANNY 8
Processing
Equipment
Battery life
Sound quality
Price-performance ratio
94/100
The LD Systems ANNY 8 presents itself as an inconspicuous little box with a powerful sound that is probably unparalleled among compact loudspeakers.
