Active speakers: the best of streaming with stereo audio quality
Once digital streaming platforms like Spotify took charge of how people consume music, we were sold the space- and time-saving practicalities of all-in-one smart streaming speakers. Some of these one-box systems, like the six-speaker Naim Muso 2 (£899; naimaudio.com) do sound fabulous, but no matter how good they are, they lack the immersive experience you can get from a great pair of stereo speakers.
But traditionally, stereo speakers also require an amplifier, streamer, CD player etc – great if you’re an audiophile, but often inconvenient in modern living rooms. Active speakers, however, combine the best of streaming speakers with the audio quality only stereo separation can provide. With the amplifier built into the speaker cabinet, you can position the speakers, plug them in, and go. In many cases, you also get Bluetooth streaming, TV connections via HDMI and optical inputs, USB, RCA line-in and, in some instances, Wi-Fi streaming for higher resolution playback.
Top end active speakers
At the top end of the market sit designs like ATC’s EL50 Anniversary (£49,500; atc.audio). Handmade in the UK and limited to just 50 pairs, they’re an extreme example of what is possible, but you don’t have to remortgage to make the most of active stereo. KEF really kickstarted the high-end active speaker market and have enjoyed great success with the floorstanding LS60 speakers, LS50 Wireless II (£2,199; kef.com) and new, more affordable Coda W (see below). These designs combine audiophile pedigree with app control and smart streaming in a single interior-friendly package.
Cambridge Audio has just joined the active speaker party too, with its stylish L/R collection ranging from £399 to £1,799. The entry level 50W Bluetooth model (see below) is a great option for simple streaming and superb sound, while the two more premium designs have a phono stage for your turntable, ethernet and Wi-Fi, plus TV connectivity. Ruark’s MR1 Mk3 (ruarkaudio.com) continues to set the standard for compact desktop style, while Fyne Audio’s new Cubitt 5 (£549; fyneaudio.com) combines the brand’s regarded IsoFlare driver, phono stage and 240W amplification.
How to choose the right active speakers for you
The main consideration when choosing a pair of active speakers is what you’re planning to play through them. If all you need is Bluetooth, you’ll be richly rewarded without spending big, although look for aptX HD if you want better resolution from your streaming. Wi-Fi (and wired ethernet) enables you to play higher-resolution audio and pull digital music from local hard drives. You’re also not restricted by the distance your phone is from the speaker.
Clever Digital Signal Processing (DSP) allows manufacturers to fine tune the amplifier and drivers together, helping compact speakers sound larger and more controlled. Those Wi-Fi connected speakers should also come with dedicated apps and have software built in to allow seamless integration with platforms including AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz and Amazon Music. Remember, though, you’ll need a top-tier subscription to play the highest resolution.
The best active speakers for your home office and for your living room
I’ve used a mixture of both during testing, but have also plugged in CD players and turntables, and also made use of USB ports and connected directly to my laptop. The smaller active speakers are particularly good for home offices, balancing superb sound, connectivity and a distinct lack of clutter.
If you need one system for a living room, look for HDMI ARC or eARC for TV sound, but do remember you will need to factor in cables – from the TV, turntables and active speakers – and despite being all-in-one systems, they need to be positioned properly. Give them space, keep them at ear height and do not squash them together. With classical music especially, widening the speakers can make the difference between a congested wall of sound and a sense of the ensemble performing right in front of you.
There are compromises to consider, however. Active speakers are less upgradeable than traditional separates, and it is impossible to tweak and tinker with amplifier pairings, which will be offputting to the purist. Wireless speakers still need power cables, too, and some systems use a cable between the left and right speaker for data, so positioning is not always as free as you might hope. But the quality of the best active stereo speakers is improving rapidly, and whichever you choose, it will be an upgrade on a single smart speaker sound that gets trapped in the corner of the room.
Active speakers: we recommend
KEF Coda W £799
Like the Cambridge (below), this compact design from KEF doesn’t have Wi-Fi, but it remains an impressive 200W active stereo speaker. Each uses KEF’s 12th-generation Uni-Q driver array, with a 25mm aluminium tweeter positioned in the middle of a 130mm mid-bass cone. Connectivity is generous, with Bluetooth 5.4 including aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless for higher resolution, HDMI for TV connectivity, optical, USB-C, RCA line input plus a phono stage for your turntable. At 285mm tall, they’re too large for my desk, and better suited to stand mounting where, I’m delighted to report, they revealed all the surefootedness and power I expect from KEF.
Cambridge Audio L/R S £399
The smallest and most affordable model in the brand’s new active stereo range is a treat. Each speaker uses a 21mm tweeter and 76mm mid/bass driver, with 100W of Class D amplification split across the drivers. You get Bluetooth with aptX HD, USB-C, optical, RCA line-in and a subwoofer output. There is no Wi-Fi streaming, HDMI ARC or phono stage, but it’s a great system that works beautifully at a desk or in smaller rooms.
For a small speaker, the performance is engaging and even handed. Listening to Bach’s Goldberg Variations performed by Víkingur Ólafsson (via laptop and USB), they capture the weight and resonance of the piano remarkably well, while giving quieter passages breathing space. At close quarters on my desk, the bass was a little much, but I was listening at a fairly high volume. Stereo imaging is excellent, and the overall presentation is detailed and fun. They also look superb, with six finishes available including cool green and vibrant orange.
Audio Pro A28 W £500
Think of Swedish brand Audio Pro as a more flexible version of Sonos, capable of playing music seamlessly throughout your home – and the A28 W offers great connectivity, including HDMI ARC for home cinema, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Impressively for the price, there’s high-res support for AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect, plus Audio Pro’s own app.
Measuring just 238x150x200mm, the slim bookshelf speakers have 75W of Class D amplification per speaker built in, and each uses a 4.5" coated paper woofer paired with a 1" soft dome tweeter. It’s a brilliant package loaded with value, and while the Coda W offers more punch and scale, it is highly recommended.
