Active Speakers

What are the differences between FORTE MK2, FORTE WIFI and FENRIS?

Our active speaker series includes three models: FORTE MK2, FORTE WIFI, and FENRIS, each designed to cater to different audio preferences and budgets.

FENRIS offers high-quality sound with an extra bass punch at a budget-friendly price. Constructed from high-quality PVC, FENRIS delivers a lively sound profile and includes Bluetooth 5.0, HDMI ARC, and supports high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/48 kHz. Priced from €329 per pair, it's ideal for new hi-fi enthusiasts.

FORTE MK2 features an advanced all-digital amplifier, custom drivers, and a fully digital signal path, delivering 4 x 80 watts of clean, distortion-free power. Available in matte lacquer, FORTE MK2 supports Bluetooth aptX HD and AAC, HDMI ARC, and digital inputs for high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/96 kHz, making it perfect for true audio connoisseurs. Priced from €499 per pair.

FORTE WIFI builds on the original FORTE MK2 with added Wi-Fi streaming capabilities, supporting Airplay2, Spotify Connect, and Chromecast for superior audio quality and convenience. It retains the same high-quality sound, plus a few new finishes in blue and walnut, and supports high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/96 kHz. Priced from €699 per pair.

In summary, our active speaker series provides options for every listener, from the high-end FORTE MK2 and FORTE WIFI to the value-packed FENRIS, ensuring excellent sound quality and features across all models.

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.