AVM Inspiration CS 2.3 + Audition CB 2.3 HiFi Set, Black

The AVM Inspiration CS 2.3 + Audition CB 2.3 HiFi set is a matched stereo system consisting of the compact AVM Inspiration CS 2.3 streaming integrated amplifier with CD drive and a pair of AVM Audition CB 2.3 bookshelf speakers.

Unbox, set up, connect, listen: amplifier and speakers come from the same factory in Malsch and are voiced to match each other. CD, vinyl, streaming and TV sound all run through one system. This combination carries the electronics in black brushed aluminium.

Why as a set?

Amplifier and speakers come from the same manufacturer and are matched to each other – no hunting for components, no datasheet Tetris. Just 34 centimetres of slim, screwless electronics plus two compact speakers add up to a full-fledged stereo system with CD, streaming and turntable connection, without gear towers or cable clutter.

What's in the set?

The AVM Inspiration CS 2.3 is the compact all-in-one with everything that counts: 2 × 140 watts into 4 ohms from a Class D power amp, an ESS Sabre 9038 Q2M as converter, a slot-in CD drive and the in-house X-STREAM Engine with AirPlay 2, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz (our Hi-Fi partner since 2018), HighResAudio, internet radio, Bluetooth and HDMI ARC for your TV. A streaming service is an option here, not a condition – CD, vinyl and internet radio also play without a subscription. On top of that, a switchable phono input for MM and MC cartridges – so you won't need an external phono stage. The two Audition CB 2.3 are compact 2-way bookshelf speakers with a 160 mm sandwich-cone woofer and a 30 mm fabric dome tweeter, whose bass reflex port sits on the rear – so they need some breathing room from the wall. At 4.5 kilograms each, they sit securely on any sturdy stand.

Who is this set right for – and who isn't it for?

Ideal as a full-fledged complete system for small to medium living rooms – with a CD drive and phono input, it covers disc and vinyl equally well. Straight talk: if you never load a CD and only stream, the set built around the AVM Inspiration AS 2.3 without a drive is cheaper. If you already own an amplifier or speakers, buying the components separately makes more sense. And if you want to fill a very large room, think about floorstanding speakers rather than bookshelf models.

Our verdict

The compact complete system with no compromise on sources: a modern streaming amplifier with CD drive and phono, plus two cleanly matched speakers, handmade in Germany, set up in minutes. Which placement sounds best in your room is something we're happy to work out together with you at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil – by phone, email or WhatsApp.

What the trade press says

• AVM Inspiration CS 2.3: reference class, 5 out of 5 stars – HiFi Test, issue 9/2021

Technical data

• Amplifier: AVM Inspiration CS 2.3
• Type: streaming integrated amplifier with slot-in CD drive (all-in-one, compact)
• Amplifier design: Class D
• Output power: 2 × 140 W (1% THD, 4 Ω)
• Distortion: < 0.005% · Signal-to-noise ratio: > 95 dB
• D/A converter: ESS Sabre 9038 Q2M, PCM up to 384 kHz / 32-bit, DSD256
• CD drive: slot-in, CD audio and CD-R (Red Book)
• Phono: MM (40 dB) / MC (60 dB) switchable, input level 30 mV or 3 mV, RIAA equalization < 0.2 dB
• Streaming: AVM X-STREAM Engine · AirPlay 2 · Roon Ready · Spotify Connect · TIDAL Connect · Qobuz · HighResAudio · UPnP · internet radio
• Bluetooth: 5.0 LE
• Inputs: 2 × line-level RCA · 1 × phono MM/MC · HDMI ARC (192/24) · 1 × S/PDIF coaxial (192/24) · 1 × optical (96/24) · USB-A (storage devices only)
• Outputs: speakers · 1 × pre-out (470 Ω) · 1 × line-out (47 Ω) · 1 × coaxial · 1 × optical
• Output level: pre-out adjustable, line-out fixed
• Headphone output: yes, 3.5 mm jack on the front (80 Ω, 4.5 V at 1% THD)
• Network: LAN 100 Mbit/s · Wi-Fi 2.4 / 5 GHz (802.11a/b/g/n/ac)
• Tuner: no FM/DAB receiver, internet radio built in
• Control: RC X app for iOS and Android; RC 3 and RC 9 remotes available as options
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 340 × 92 × 325 mm · 7.1 kg
• Power consumption: < 0.5 W standby, < 2 W network standby, < 16 W idle
• Speakers: AVM Audition CB 2.3 (pair)
• Design: 2-way bass reflex (bookshelf speaker)
• Drivers: 160 mm sandwich-cone woofer · 30 mm fabric dome tweeter · crossover frequency 1850 Hz
• Frequency response: 37 Hz – 50 kHz
• Sensitivity: 88 dB (2.83 V / 1 m)
• Impedance: 4 Ω (minimum 3.6 Ω at 240 Hz)
• Power handling / max. SPL: 140 W · max. 102 dB
• Bass reflex port: on the rear
• Connection: bi-wire screw terminals for banana plugs, spades or bare wire
• Placement: adjustable foot on the rear, tilt adjustable
• Cabinet dimensions (W × H × D): 170 × 285 × 220 mm
• Front baffle dimensions (W × H): 220 × 330 mm
• Weight: 4.5 kg each (manufacturer's figure)
• Speaker finish: cabinet in high-gloss black or white · front baffle in silver or chrome
• Set
• Manufacturing: handmade, AVM factory Malsch (Germany)
• Warranty: 2 years, +2 years with online registration
• Included: AVM Inspiration CS 2.3 (Black) with power cable, 2 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth antennas, 2 × 3 RCA loading plugs for phono and gloves · 1 pair Audition CB 2.3 with magnetic fabric covers – without remote control and without speaker cable

Frequently asked questions

What's included in the AVM Inspiration CS 2.3 + Audition CB 2.3 HiFi set?

The compact AVM Inspiration CS 2.3 streaming integrated amplifier with CD drive and a pair of AVM Audition CB 2.3 bookshelf speakers, plus accessories. A complete stereo system for CD, streaming and vinyl – all that's missing is speaker cable and your music.

Is a remote control included?

No. AVM ships the CS 2.3 without a hardware remote; it's controlled via the free RC X app for iOS and Android. If you'd like a remote, add the RC 3 with infrared or the RC 9 with colour display as an accessory.

Can I connect a turntable to this set?

Yes. The Inspiration CS 2.3 has a phono input, switchable between MM at 40 dB and MC at 60 dB. So a turntable can be connected directly, with no external phono stage. You set the loading impedance for MC via the included RCA plugs.

How big and heavy are the Audition CB 2.3?

Compact: the cabinet measures 170 × 285 × 220 millimetres, the projecting front baffle 220 × 330 millimetres, and each speaker weighs 4.5 kilograms according to AVM. That means they fit on narrow stands and on a shelf. An adjustable foot on the rear tilts them to ear height.

How far do the Audition CB 2.3 need to be from the wall?

A little, since the bass reflex port sits on the rear. Too close to the wall and the bass turns thick; too free in the room and it can sound a bit thin. A few centimetres of clearance is usually enough – we're happy to discuss the exact placement based on your floor plan.

What's the difference from the set with the AVM Inspiration AS 2.3?

The CS 2.3 additionally has an integrated slot-in CD drive, the AS 2.3 doesn't. Both come with the phono input (MM/MC) and full streaming. If you play CDs, go for the CS 2.3 set; pure streamers and vinyl listeners do better with the AS 2.3 set.

Why buy the AVM Inspiration CS 2.3 + Audition set from HD Zürisee?

Because a complete system should fit your room and your listening habits – we advise from real-world experience. As an authorized AVM specialist dealer in Wädenswil, we set up streaming, network and phono, handle the warranty, and have Mauri as our own in-house technician. Get in touch by phone, email or WhatsApp.

Pairs well with

What's still missing you'll find under Speaker cable, a deck for the phono input under Turntables, the right placement under Speaker stands and HiFi furniture, and the RC 3 and RC 9 remotes under Accessories.