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

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

Unpack, set up, connect, listen: the amplifier and speakers come from the same house in Malsch and are tonally matched to one another. CD, vinyl, streaming and TV sound all run through one system. This set comes with the electronics in brushed silver aluminium, AVM's classic finish.

Why buy it as a set?

Because nothing here is thrown together: the electronics and speakers come from the same manufacturer and are matched to each other – no hunting for components, no datasheet Tetris. 34-centimetre-wide, screwless electronics plus two compact bookshelf speakers add up to a complete stereo system with CD, streaming and vinyl connectivity. No equipment rack required.

What's in the set?

The AVM Inspiration CS 2.3 is the compact all-in-one with everything that counts: 2 × 140 watts at 4 ohms from a Class D power stage, an ESS Sabre 9038 Q2M as converter, a slot-in CD drive and AVM's own 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 the TV. A streaming subscription is optional here – CD, vinyl and internet radio need none. Add to that a switchable phono input for MM and MC cartridges, so the turntable can be connected without an extra device. 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; the bass-reflex port sits on the back, so they benefit from a bit of distance from the wall. At 4.5 kg per speaker, placement stays uncomplicated.

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

Ideal as a full, complete system for small to medium-sized living rooms – with a CD drive and phono input, it covers disc and vinyl equally well. Plain talk: if you never play a CD and stream exclusively, the set built around the drive-less AVM Inspiration AS 2.3 is the more affordable choice. 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, consider 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 neatly matched speakers, hand-built in Germany and set up in minutes. Silver is the finish that fits into almost any interior – and will still look current in ten years. We'll work out together with you at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil which placement sounds best in your room – 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 principle: 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 equalisation < 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: speaker · 1 × pre-out (470 Ω) · 1 × line-out (47 Ω) · 1 × coaxial · 1 × optical
• Output level: pre-out variable, 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 optional accessories
• 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)
• Principle: 2-way bass reflex (bookshelf speaker)
• Drivers: 160 mm woofer with sandwich cone · 30 mm fabric dome tweeter · crossover frequency 1850 Hz
• Frequency range: 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, spade connectors 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 in Malsch (Germany)
• Warranty: 2 years, +2 years with online registration
• Scope of delivery: AVM Inspiration CS 2.3 (silver) with power cord, 2 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth antennas, 2 × 3 RCA termination plugs for phono, and gloves · 1 pair of Audition CB 2.3 with magnetically attached fabric grilles – without remote control and without speaker cable

Frequently asked questions

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

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

Does it come with a remote control?

No. AVM supplies the CS 2.3 without a hardware remote; it's controlled via the free RC X app for iOS and Android. If you want a remote, choose 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, without an external phono stage. You set the MC termination impedance via the included RCA plugs.

How big and how heavy are the Audition CB 2.3?

Compact: the cabinet measures 170 × 285 × 220 millimetres, the recessed 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 from the wall do the Audition CB 2.3 need to be?

A little, since the bass-reflex port sits on the back. Too close to the wall and the bass gets thick; too free-standing in the room and it can sound a touch lean. 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 to the set with the AVM Inspiration AS 2.3?

The CS 2.3 additionally has a built-in slot-in CD drive, the AS 2.3 does not. Both come with the phono input (MM/MC) and full streaming. If you play CDs, choose the CS 2.3 set; pure streamers and vinyl listeners get better value with the AS 2.3 set.

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

Because a complete system should fit your room and your listening habits – and that's advice we give from experience. As an authorised AVM dealer in Wädenswil, we set up streaming, network and phono, take care of the warranty, and have our own technician, Mauri, in house. Get in touch by phone, email or WhatsApp.

Goes well with

Find what's still missing under Speaker Cables, a turntable for the phono input under Turntables, the right placement under Speaker Stands and Hi-Fi Furniture, plus the RC 3 and RC 9 remotes under Accessories.