Argon Audio Fenris A5 Active Speakers, White (Pair)

The Argon Audio Fenris A5 is an active bookshelf speaker with built-in amplification that becomes a complete stereo system via HDMI ARC, phono MM and Bluetooth. In White, the pair looks light and homely – against a pale wall it barely registers, even though a whole system is packed inside.

Why the Fenris A5?

Between the A4 and the A5 lie a good chunk of cone area and five hertz of extra depth – that sounds like little, but it decides whether a living room feels filled or merely covered in sound. The 5.25-inch driver gets 50 watts Class D, the 0.75-inch tweeter 25 watts, split by a digital crossover in the DSP. The result is a tidy, honest sound without the inflated bass many compact active speakers need.

What you get

The A5 accepts every source common in a living room: the TV via HDMI ARC, streaming box or console via the optical input, anything analogue via RCA, and the turntable directly via phono MM. Bluetooth 5.0 for spontaneous playback, pre-out for a subwoofer later on. You don't need a subscription for any of it – vinyl, TV sound and your own files cost nothing extra.

Who is the Fenris A5 in White suited to – and who isn't it for?

Plainly put: on a desk, the A5 is oversized – the A4 plays the fitter role there. If you need WiFi streaming, AirPlay or multiroom, go for the Forte WiFi series – wirelessly, the A5 handles only Bluetooth. In bright living spaces where tech shouldn't be the eye-catcher, though, the white finish is exactly right: visible enough to sound proper, unobtrusive enough not to disturb.

Our verdict

The A5 is the point where "active speaker" stops being a compromise. HIFI.DE rated it 8.3 out of 10 in testing (2022). Which colour, which size, which spot in the room? Tell us about your room and we'll give you an honest answer about what fits. HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, 044 680 22 00 or WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls).

Technical data

• Type: Active 2-way bookshelf speaker, bass reflex (stereo pair)
• Power: 4-channel Class D – 2 × 50 W (woofer/midrange) + 2 × 25 W (tweeter), 75 W per speaker
• Signal processing: DSP with digital, active crossover
• Tweeter: 0.75″ soft dome (neodymium)
• Woofer/midrange: 5.25″ paper cone
• Frequency range: 47–22,000 Hz (± 6 dB)
• Bluetooth: 5.0, SBC (no aptX)
• Inputs: HDMI ARC, optical (max. 24 bit/48 kHz), RCA, phono MM
• Outputs: pre-out / subwoofer (RCA)
• USB: 5 V / 0.5 A charging port, no audio playback
• Connectors: gold-plated
• Cabinet: MDF, magnetic front panel
• Extras: auto on/standby, automatic input selection, dimmable LED
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 17 × 28 × 22 cm
• Weight: 7.2 kg (pair)
• What's included: speaker pair, magnetic front panels, remote control with batteries, power cable, speaker cable (3 m), isolation feet, quick guide

Frequently asked questions

How do the Fenris A4 and A5 differ?

The A5 has a 5.25-inch woofer/midrange instead of 4 inches, a larger cabinet, and reaches down to 47 instead of 52 hertz. Amplification, connections and operation are identical. The A5 is the living-room solution, the A4 the choice for smaller rooms, bedrooms and desks.

Can I connect a turntable to the Fenris A5?

Yes. The phono MM input takes a turntable with a moving-magnet cartridge directly, no external phono stage needed. For an MC system you'll need a matching preamp ahead of it. This turns the A5 into a complete vinyl system without another device taking up shelf space.

How do I position the Fenris A5 correctly?

At ear height, angled slightly toward the listening position, with a bit of distance from the back wall. The closer to the wall, the punchier but also less precise the bass. On a sideboard, the included isolation feet help against vibrations; freestanding, speaker stands are the better solution.

Why buy the Fenris A5 from HD Zürisee?

Because with active speakers the details decide: room size, distance from the wall, the cable run between the speakers and the right HDMI setting on the TV. We take the time for that, have our own technician in-house, and tell you when the smaller model is enough for you.

Goes well with

Around the A5: a turntable for the phono jack, speaker stands for the right height, a subwoofer for the lowest registers and the whole Argon Audio world.