Unveiling the Entreq Protectus and MaxMix T2 Kit: A Game-Changer in Vibration Isolation and Noise Reduction

First of all, the protectus. This is a base, an isolation platform, but with something rather special inside. It’s been an awful long time in development and interested me greatly as an alternative option to isolation feet.

Although I’m not qualified enough to fully understand the science behind it, I’ll give it a go. The Protectus is essentially a base, designed as an isolation platform, but it has something quite unique inside that sets it apart from conventional isolation platform designs. This platform has been in development for a significant amount of time, with years of refinement and testing behind it.

This is an interesting alternative to traditional isolation feet, which are typically used to reduce vibrations. Not only that, but this has an ingineious trick up its sleeve.

The Protectus uses a combination of advanced materials to dampen electromagnetic vibrations, leading to a more stable and isolated environment. Where’s the trick? Well, the Protectus vibration platform takes a different approach to controlling unwanted operating vibrations as well as unwanted high-frequency magentism.

Rather than depending on just three or four traditional feet, it uses it’s entire surface area beneath the device with layers of cross-laminated timber (CLT). Carefully crafted, it’s internals are embedded with metal spheres, for which the vibrations are absorbed and transformed into heat.

The metal spheres, made from various materials and sizes, create a unique dynamic—producing galvanic currents that, in turn, form magnetic fields, subtly influencing the electromagnetic environment around connected devices and reducing high-frequency noise.

What are the MaxMix T2 kit dongles?

The MaxMix T2 kit comprises of 4 small dongles that are connected to both the positive and negative terminals of the loudspeakers.

Like the Protectus, they’re a proprietary blend of metals that not only dampen vibrations at the speaker terminals but also subtly shape the surrounding magnetic fields.

Of course, these can be fitted with or without the Protectus. But for this review, I’m testing them with the Protectus as recommended.

Some more understanding:

Reading from the Entreq website, here is my truncated understanding of the science behind the Protectus: Electricity, magnetism, and vibrations are closely connected, and when you alter one, the others are impacted as well. For example, when alternating current (AC) passes through a wire, it generates both magnetic fields and vibrations. In turn, magnetism can also create electrical current and more vibrations.

Certain metals naturally exhibit magnetic properties and generate their own magnetic fields when exposed to electrical current and vibrations. By analysing how various metals react to these magnetic fields, we can create materials that effectively filter out high-frequency noise, which helps improve overall signal clarity.

The electricity we receive in our home isn't always as reliable as we think. Rather than providing a steady 230V at 60Hz, it often comes with various noises and interferences from everyday devices such as motors and those horrid switching power supplies. And for Hi-Fi, this is not good—not good at all.

This phenomenon, known as ‘Power Grid Magnetism,’ can negatively impact the performance of electronics. The type of materials used in power cables, connectors, and insulation can significantly influence how much of this noise is filtered out.

Additionally, when signals pass through cables—especially speaker cables—strong magnetic fields are generated, a process referred to as ‘Signal Magnetism.’

Protectus works to reduce both vibrations and high-frequency noise related to power grid magnetism. In simpler terms, it helps tackle the humming interference within the chassis that mostly comes from the power grid.

The Protectus Range:

The Protectus comes in various sizes and levels to suit your components. In this review, I’m using level 1, medium, and hope to review the larger sizes at a later date. The results of the larger sized level 3 Protectus will be added to this review at a later date.

Protectus Level 1

Protectus Level 2

Protectus Level 3

Unboxing the Protectus

As always, Entreq packs their products with a massive amount of care. And it’s nice to unpack something that has been made by hand as you get that important feeling of passion behind it.

The Protectus, together with the MaxMix T2 kit, arrived in a wooden box. The lid was fixed with 4 small screws.

Connecting the Protectus and MaxMix T2

Connecting these beautifully crafted units is really quite simple. Firstly, the Protectus. Inside the box is a 20cm custom-made Eartha cable that has a V-shaped silver connector on one end and a spade connector at the other. The spade connects to the Protectus by unscrewing the wooden connector on the binding post. The V-shaped end can be used to connect in a multitude of ways.

You can wrap the end around anything that is connected to ground; that could be a bolt on the chassis of your amplifier or by connecting it to the release button on an XLR plug. For me, I preferred a more solid connection. This was either via the chassis or by simply trapping the connector in the side of the XLR socket so it uses the edge of the XLR socket as ground.

If you have a screw-down grounding lug on your amplifier, that will also be fine.

Another option is to use an odd-looking stick-on connector, which is provided. Simply find a place on your amplifier that is connected to ground, peel away the adhesive-backed connector, and press it in place. Then, simply slot the V connector through the loop of the connector.

Connecting the MaxMix T2 kit is even more simple. These simply connect to the positive and negative terminals on the backs of your speakers. Whether you use banana or spade connectors on your cables, they should connect perfectly fine.

I have the Tannoyista external crossovers on my speakers, so they simply attach to those.

However you connect it, just make sure you connect to ground. If you’re not sure, ask someone who is more knowledgeable to carry out the connection for you.

The Sound:

With everything connected to my power amplifier, a warming-up period of 30 minutes has passed. I started my first reference tracks. Now, with Entreq, what you get is something you kind of grow into. If you listen from a distance, you wouldn’t expect to hear much difference; it’s after an hour or so when you realise that something has changed. If you are very familiar with a certain handful of albums or tracks, you can then understand what that change is.

The change is this, everything.

Everything from low, medium, and high frequencies has additional freedom in terms of air and dynamics. It’s like all the nuts and bolts have been tightened, allowing for cleaner and more fluid signal flow.

The presentation is improved in regards to the size of the sound stage. A spacious and more tangible, or cleaner presentation, as some might describe it. One of the main things I noticed most is that slightly improved clarity, bringing improved solidity to cymbals, high-hats, and digital effects.

Regarding mid-range, at first I didn’t hear much of a difference, but it wasn’t until a few hours of listening that I noticed more air and breath definition. And when any echo or reverb is added, it’s like everything feels smoother.

And with bass. Bass has a more prominent aspect than the midrange, and with that, it is added beautifully to the mix. It took me some time to understand how the lower frequencies were being presented, but it all came clear with spinning one of my favourite albums, Shpongle, Museum of Conciousness, the 2024 remaster on vinyl, and Curtis Mayfield, Superfly 50th anniversary repress.

First of all, Shpongle always brings in the goods. The amount of detail and nuances that emerge is second to none. And so this was my ‘go-to’ album for some mind-bending sonic visuals. And whilst ‘Superfly’ by Curtis Mayfield might not be considered an audiophile-quality recording, I’ve grown up with this album, and my familiarity with it is pretty burnt into my brain.

Kick drums and bass have a heavier attack and a seemingly longer decay, which is quite surprising. This seems more evident when the track is fading out. So at lower levels, more detail is noticed with increased end note sustain and a slightly cleaner attack.

Both albums showed me what the Protectus and the MaxMix T2 kit can bring, and I couldn’t help myself repeating certain tracks on both albums to try and understand what was happening. In a nutshell, it’s simply a matter of extended purity.

And it goes to show that the science behind Entreq is something, although maybe mysterious to some (including myself to some degree), really does work, and in the case of the combination of the Protectus and MaxMix T2 kit, it’s certainly a must.

But for something that brings a slight to moderate, yet addictive improvement, is it worth it? The answer is yes, definitely. Most decent systems can be built with all the best intentions and care, but nothing gives you that important finish of that most important top-end cutting edge that Entreq produces in spades.

Conclusion:

For first-time users, the initial difference isn’t overly percevable, but something is there. So, you need to sit down, get in the zone, and give it a little time. And once everything has been running for an hour or so, that's when you can really get a grip on what they bring.

And now I’ve lived with both Protectus (Level 1) and MaxMix T2 kit for some time, and every time I play music, I get a feeling of even more refinement to the music. So, I'm now very intrigued to find out what the other levels of bases can bring to my system and other components, such as my preamplifier and power supplies.

Now that they’ve been in the system for a while, I notice the difference almost immediately. Once you know what to expect, the difference is there, and you won't want to hear your music any other way. 

Entreq has a knack of creating equipment that concentrates on refinement and not confusing hammer-blow type changes. Refining your system is an art and needs to be implemented properly. And with Entreq, this is carried out with subillty and ease.

The Entreq Protectus, together with the MaxMix T2 kit combination, comes highly recommended for any mid-range to high-end system.

Once you hear it, it’s difficult to ignore it or live without it, as it’s the'surprise factor’ that grabs you. Hearing details where you didn’t think there was anymore to hear is beautifully eerie and addictively welcome.

An update to come - The Level 3 version will be hitting the Tannoyista shores very soon, so I shall update this review to include an additional conclusion.