What's the fuss about?
Understanding Active Speakers
An In-Depth Guide to Active Speakers. The Convenient Solution with Superior Sound Quality.
If you're looking to step up your audio game, you need a pair of active speakers. These bad boys are the future of audio, packing everything you need for high-quality sound into one sleek package. Upgrade your TV or music quality with ease and without complicated wiring or multiple components. In this article, we'll take a closer look at active speakers, their advantages, their drawbacks, and how you can get the most out of them.
What are Active Speakers?
Active speakers are equipped with built-in amplifiers, which eliminate the need for an external amplifier or receiver to drive the sound. Unlike passive speakers, they only require a power source and can connect directly to your audio sources, such as your TV, computer, or turntable.
Our active speakers support various input sources, including HDMI ARC for TV audio, Bluetooth, phono input for turntables, and both analog and digital input. In other words. You can finally throw away that cheap plastic soundbar underneath your TV and get some real stereo sound, without compromising on ease-of-use!
Our active speakers even automatically switch inputs between the sources you have connected, so in day-to-day use, you rarely need to grab the included remote control. Simply connect your favorite sources, sit back, and enjoy the fantastic sound quality.
The amplifier
Let’s dive a little deeper into the amplifier in the active speakers – the following may contain some technical jargon, but don't worry, we’ll try to keep it as straightforward as possible.
The amplifier in Argon Audio's active speakers features high-performance digital sound processing (DSP) with an active crossover, which allows the mid/bass woofers and tweeters to have their own dedicated amplifiers. This is what we would call a "true" active speaker – some competitors still use an old-fashioned passive crossover, which is not always the best solution for sound quality. Our custom-engineered bass drivers deliver class-leading performance with ultra-low distortion in the critical midrange.
We have taken great care in selecting each component, from the amplifier and cabinet to the drivers and even the speaker cable, to ensure a perfect match and deliver the best possible listening experience.
This is why we, at Argon Audio, firmly believe that the future for speakers is active.
True Active Speakers
One often overlooked aspect of high-quality active speakers is that 1+1 doesn’t equal 2—it equals 4. This means that a conventional passive speaker would need a 200 watt amplifier in order to achieve the same performance as an active speaker with only a 2 X 50 watt amplifier! This is one of the reasons why active speakers sound so powerful compared to passive speakers.
The DSP (Digital Signal Processing) is an important part of this puzzle. DSP is used to design the crossover and response of the speaker with a precision only possible in active speakers.
DSP in combination with active speakers gives more freedom to design optimized drivers without making any compromises. Typically, the woofers in a passive speaker have a mechanical break to avoid damage at high sound levels. Using DSP supervision, the woofer can be designed with higher linearity since the breaking is handled by the DSP. In addition to this, with DSP we can correct speaker response without deterioration - this is simply not possible in a passive speaker.
The woofers in FORTE A55 are a prime example of the benefits of transducer design, using DSP. We designed a new motor system with a focus on very low distortion - all without looking at parameters since these can be controlled using DSP. These woofers won’t work in a passive speaker design, but in an active speaker with DSP they shine with class-leading low distortion and extended frequency response.
Active Speakers vs Soundbars and Passive Speakers
Advantages of Active Speakers
Are you still following or feeling overwhelmed? Let’s simplify things with a list of the benefits!
Ease of Use
One of the biggest benefits of active speakers is their ease of use. Because they come equipped with built-in amplifiers, you don't need to worry about setting up an external amplifier, a receiver, and endless miles of cables. Simply connect your audio source, and you're good to go.
Improved Sound Quality
The components of our active speakers have been custom designed with all the parts matched closely, and as a result, you might even get better sound quality than normal passive speakers with an external amplifier. Active speakers are designed to function as a matched pair, resulting in true stereo sound, unlike soundbars which often lack the power and richness of sound produced by a stereo speaker setup.
Space-saving design
Because active speakers don't require an external amplifier or receiver, they can help you save space in your home or studio. However, you can still find larger active speakers, also add a subwoofer and a turntable, and impress your friends with a bigger system – trust me, you won’t regret it!
Affordability
Active speakers can be an affordable option compared to traditional speaker systems and amplifiers, especially if you're looking for a smaller setup. A pair of active speakers might not be as affordable as some soundbars – but you at least get much more great sound for your money than with a soundbar.
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows. This is what you need to know.
The limitations of an active speaker
Upgradability and Expandability
One drawback of active speakers is that they limit your ability to upgrade your audio setup. Because the amplifier is built into the speaker, you can't easily swap it out for a different one if you want to upgrade your sound quality. Additionally, you may not be able to add a center speaker or build a true surround system with back speakers.
Large Spaces and Demanding Setups
Some active speakers may not be suitable for larger rooms or more demanding audio setups because they are limited by the built-in amplifier, which may not be powerful enough to drive sound in bigger spaces – compared to a huge passive speaker set-up with a powerful amplifier. But hey, give FORTE A55 MK2 a chance. It holds up well even in bigger spaces!
Which Argon Audio speaker should you choose?
FORTE
Our FORTE stereo active speakers truly stand in a league of their own. Featuring an advanced all-digital amplifier and a fully digital signal path with four separate channels for the tweeters and woofers, along with custom drivers with ultra-low distortion, these speakers deliver a sound experience rich in detail and have fantastic dynamics. The built-in amplifier delivers 4 x 80 clean, distortion-free watts, elevating the experience of both music and TV. Their sleek cabinets are available in smooth matte lacquer or stylish walnut finishes. FORTE offers Bluetooth aptX HD and AAC support for seamless, high-quality audio streaming and digital inputs that support high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/96 kHz.
FORTE represents our finest speaker to date, offering a true hi-fi experience at a price significantly lower than many of our competitors. These speakers are designed for true audio connoisseurs seeking pristine, yet punchy, sound and convenient day-to-day use.
- Delivers a more precise and detailed sound experience.
- Crafted from elegant, smooth lacquer.
- Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD and AAC (for high-quality streaming quality)
- HDMI ARC for TV audio
- Supports High-Res Audio up to 24-bit/96 kHz.
- Priced from 499 € per pair.
Which Argon Audio speaker should you choose?
FENRIS
FENRIS is in a class of its own in this price range. Our goal when creating these active speakers was to provide superior quality and features while keeping them budget friendly. They are perfect for new hi-fi enthusiasts who want to experience high-quality sound without compromising ease of use. To provide all this value in the speakers, we decided to use high-quality PVC for cabinet construction, and the amplifiers and drivers are slightly less powerful and of slightly lower quality compared to FORTE. However, the sound quality remains top-notch. We've tuned the sound to have an extra bass punch for a fun and lively sound profile that will blow away any soundbar.
With their sleek Danish design, FENRIS speakers are as visually impressive as they sound. FENRIS is the ideal choice for new hi-fi enthusiasts, offering kick-ass sound experiences that provide great value for money.
- Emphasizes a fun, hi-fi sound profile with more pronounced bass.
- Constructed from high-quality PVC
- Bluetooth 5.0
- HDMI ARC for TV audio
- Supports High-Res Audio at up to 24-bit/48 kHz
- Priced from 329 € per pair.
A4, A5, or A55?
To put it simply, you are choosing the size of your speaker system, which includes both the physical size and the size of the speaker components. The A4, A5, and A55 models aren't just numbers but refer to the size of the bass/midrange unit on the speakers. The A4, being the most compact, is equipped with a 4-inch bass/midrange driver. In contrast, the A55, a floor-standing speaker system, boasts dual 5-inch units for enhanced bass response.
The A4 model is ideally suited for a gaming setup in your bedroom or as a discreet solution next to your TV, offering clear and precise sound quality in a compact form.
The A5, on the other hand, marks a significant improvement with its ability to deliver deeper bass and higher volume, making it suitable for slightly larger spaces or those seeking a more impactful sound experience.
Stepping it up, the "A55" is where things get serious. Designed for audiophiles and those passionate about music and film, these speakers deliver deep, resonant bass and a sound experience that doesn't just fill the space but completely transforms it. Perfect for transforming your living room into a cinematic oasis or creating that concert hall vibe for your playlists.
Take Your Audio Setup to the Next Level
Turntable
If you're a vinyl enthusiast, you'll be delighted to know that you can add a record player to your active speaker setup. Our active speakers feature turntable inputs, so you don't have to worry about an additional external box for RIAA amplification from your turntable. This allows you to enjoy your favorite records with high-quality sound and set up your system in just a few minutes. Not only will this enhance the sound of your music, but it will also give your system some cool aesthetics and allow you to fully immerse yourself in the vinyl culture.
Consider buying a record player and start collecting records now! Be warned, it's addictive
Subwoofer
Pairing your active speakers with a subwoofer can add more depth and vibration to your audio setup, resulting in a powerful and immersive listening experience. Whether you're a film enthusiast or hosting a wild party for friends, a subwoofer can be a great addition to your setup.
But what is a subwoofer, exactly? A subwoofer is a speaker that is designed to exclusively reproduce the deepest bass tones in your music and the heaviest explosions in your movies. It looks different from other speakers because its sole purpose is to enhance these sounds. It's like having a cool friend standing in the corner, silently amplifying the audio experience for everyone in the room.
Streaming
If you're looking for better sound quality and fewer interruptions while streaming music wirelessly, a music streamer is a great option. While Bluetooth is a convenient and popular choice, a dedicated music streamer provides superior hi-fi stereo sound and better reliability. You can control your music from your phone just like with Bluetooth, but with a music streamer, your music won't stop playing if you receive a call or message. It's as easy to use as Bluetooth, and all you need is a small box.
What's so great about stereo sound?
What's so great about stereo sound? While your soundbar might be great, and your streaming speaker in the kitchen is very convenient, they can only produce 'mono' sound, which can often sound flat. It will never be able to compete with the sound experience you get with a stereo setup.
Stereo sound allows for a fully immersive experience, where you can locate the origin of sounds, discern different tonalities, and even feel the vibrations on your skin. This is not just a marketing claim, as studies have shown that humans are naturally designed to perceive sound in stereo.
Just imagine how you would feel if a movie theater only had a soundbar or if a concert had speakers on just one side. What if you could only wear a headphone on one ear while gaming? You wouldn't be happy, so why settle for less at home when you can have the same great stereo sound experience?
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What Makes Argon Audio Experts in Active Speakers?
What makes Argon Audio experts in active speakers? Argon Audio was founded by Danish sound connoisseurs HiFi Klubben, who have been dedicated to delivering high-quality sound since 1983. With over 800 employees who interact with clients daily, we incorporate their expertise and experiences into every product we develop.
This is the essence of Argon Audio, and why we confidently claim that our products will satisfy your eyes, ears, and music-loving soul without breaking the bank. And that's a promise. If you're not completely satisfied, you can return the item within 30 days for a refund, with us covering the return shipping costs, making it a risk-free trial.
We stand behind our products, and we're confident that you'll love them as much as we do
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