NeoHipo ET30 VU Meter – Vintage Charm For Modern Systems
NeoHipo ET30 is a $159 USD stereo VU Meter designed for speaker systems, to bring a bit of that vintage charm to modern setups. Today we will review the ET30 and explore whether it changes the sound in any way, as well as what exactly it does for a system.
Introduction
Despite the similarity in the packaging between NeoHipo and Fosi Audio, I have received confirmation that they are not the same company, and each has its own different team working on the products, and they just happen to purchase packaging and boxes from the same manufacturer. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases, and using the purchase links in my reviews helps me maintain this website and Youtube Channel. Huge thanks to Keces for providing us with the sample for this review.
PROs – Beautiful and it does not degrade the sound, allows you to match two AMPs with two speakers, interesting idea, has a microphone to use the VU Meter with just the mic input, and a type-c USB input if you don’t want it to actually filter the speaker signal, multiple color selection, sensitivity and swing range can be adjusted.
Cons – It always needs the USB Type-C power input to work.
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3CNTSH6
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_om3p94v
Build Quality/Aesthetics
Neohipo ET30 is a fairly compact VU Meter and 2 in 2 out vintage switcher designed for you to select which pair of speakers and which amplifier is currently active in your system. It has a dB panel, and a remote control, and can work with any class of stereo amplifier, including tube amps.
Although all of my photos feature the NeoHipo in its original color, you can change that color from yellow to orange to green to blue, with a high level of customizability. There are 5 levels of brightness in total, and 34 colors in total, with each of them looking really good in person, as the VU Meters have a paper like texture in the background highly reminiscent of the VU Meters found on high-end vintage systems.
There is a dummy load on the ET30, so when you change the speakers, even if the amp is already running and working, it will not damage the sound. You need to provide ET30 with a type-C USB input for it to work, and all channels are fully isolated independent Ground, so there is no interference. NeoHipo offers a 12-Month warranty for the ET30, and they have a trade-in customer service, so theoretically if a device breaks, you send the old one back and they should send a new one your way.
Subjective Usage
As there is no Sound Quality part in today’s review, we start by noting that it does not audibly degrade the sound of the speaker and AMP system connected to it.
I could not notice buzzing or a degradation in sonic quality, although it is very likely that with certain AMPs and Speakers you may notice an audible loss in quality. More importantly, the wheels do something quite a bit different than I expected.
The Sensitivity wheel, for example, will make the needles of the VU Meters return quicker or slower, rather than make them more or less sensitive to the signal input. More traditionally, the Swing range adjustment wheel actually adjusts the sensitivity and makes the needles more or less sensitive to the signal strength.
The Color / Light wheel can be pressed to cycle through the light strength levels, and turning it will cycle through the light colors available on the ET30.
You can cycle between the two AMP inputs by pressing on the AMP button, and you can cycle through the speakers connected by using the SPK output. The mic button activates the mic input which makes the VU Meter needles reactive to sound in the room, recorded by the microphone at the back of the ET30.
The whole unit has a certain vintage Hifi charm to it. You also have a complete remote to control the ET30, and it has a superb selection of buttons compared to doing things raw by hand.
The control is excellent, and I basically see it as a great reviewer accessory, I can have the same AMP to power two speakers, to cycle through them, and to do very fast ABX testing. Same for Amplifiers, it helps because I can more effectively volume match, and ET30 does an excellent job at keeping sound clear. While a very finely tuned ear might say that ET30 degrades the sound, it is a cost-effective solution that can provide a quick control for multiple systems, and it has a nice looking VU Meter, both of which are desirable features for an audiophile nostalgic about the magic of vintage HiFi systems.
Value and Conclusion
The price of ET30 is on the higher side currently, as for 159 USD it is just a visual instrument, but it does deliver on its promises and has two symmetrical VU Meters that look beautiful, and you can even add it to a system without connecting it to a pair of speakers / amp, so while it is not cheap, the build quality is solid and reliable and you get a solid device you’re paying for.
At the end of the day, if you’re looking for a 2-in 2-out Switcher and Vintage VU Meter, NeoHipo ET30 works well, does not degrade the sound significantly, and is an excellent unit for those who want a more colorful design for their stereo system.
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3CNTSH6
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_om3p94v
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Full Playlist used for this review
We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. I recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! The playlists are different for Spotify, Tidal and Youtube, and based on the songs I enjoy and are available on each!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cjBXGmwSHSdGcwuc_bKbBDGHL4QvYBu
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J3oloz8Riy9LxEGenOjQ0?si=979ba4f082414be7
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/330fd544-8e5b-4839-bd35-676b2edbb3d5
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