Argon Audio Fenris A5 Active Speakers, Ash (Pair)

The Argon Audio Fenris A5 is an active bookshelf speaker with a 5.25-inch woofer/midrange, housing amplifiers, converters and connections for TV, turntable and Bluetooth in two cabinets. The Ash finish shows visible grain and is the most homely of the three variants.

Why the Fenris A5?

The larger woofer/midrange is the real difference to the A4: more cone area, more air moved, a frequency response down to 47 Hertz instead of 52. In practice that doesn't mean "louder" but "calmer" – the A5 stays composed at room volume plus a bit more, where the smaller model starts to sound strained. The electronics are the same on both: 50 watts Class D per speaker to the bass, 25 watts to the tweeter, separated by a digital crossover in the DSP.

What you experience

Connect and go: HDMI ARC links the TV, the optical and RCA inputs take care of everything else, and the phono MM input brings in the turntable with no intermediate stage. Bluetooth 5.0 takes over when speed matters. The pre-out keeps the door open for a subwoofer. No recurring costs arise – vinyl, TV sound and the music on your hard drive need no subscription.

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

Plainly put: for a desk, the A5 is too much – the A4 is enough there. If you expect WiFi streaming with Spotify Connect, AirPlay or multiroom, go for the Forte WiFi series, because wirelessly the A5 can only do Bluetooth. Its home is the real living room: as a stereo system, as a sound solution for the TV and as a vinyl end point, with no amplifier taking up shelf space. The Ash veneer suits wood and textiles better than high gloss.

Our verdict

The A5 packs a complete system into two compact cabinets – and makes remarkably little fuss about it. HIFI.DE scored it 8.3 out of 10 in testing (2022). A4 or A5, close to the wall or freestanding, with or without a subwoofer: just ask us, we know the pitfalls. 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

Do I need an amplifier for the Fenris A5?

No. The amplifiers are built in, which is why it's called an active speaker. You connect a TV, turntable, computer or phone directly. All you need is the power cable and the included cable between the two speakers – a separate amplifier or AV receiver is entirely unnecessary.

How deep does the Fenris A5's bass go?

Down to 47 Hertz (± 6 dB) according to the manufacturer – solid depth for a 5.25-inch driver that carries most living rooms without a subwoofer. If you need more foundation for film sound or electronic music, add an active subwoofer via the pre-out.

Does the Fenris A5 in Ash sound the same as the lacquered versions?

Yes, identical in sound. Cabinet, drivers and electronics are the same in Ash, Black and White – only the surface differs. Ash shows a visible wood structure and feels calmer in rooms with wooden furniture, while the lacquered finishes come across as more technical.

Why buy the Fenris A5 from HD Zürisee?

Because a short, honest decision aid often helps more than any product page: A4 or A5, close to the wall or freestanding, with or without a subwoofer – tailored to your room. Plus an experienced, well-practised team, our own technician for support and advice without sales pressure.

Goes well with

The A5 enjoys good source material: a turntable at the phono jack, a matching cartridge, a subwoofer for the low-end foundation – or a look through the whole Argon Audio world.