In the rapidly evolving landscape of high-fidelity audio, Fyne Audio has managed to achieve in under a decade what many legacy brands take generations to accomplish: establishing a reputation for uncompromising sonic performance across a vast array of passive loudspeakers. Known for their intricate engineering and distinctive driver designs, the company has now pivoted toward the modern consumer’s preference for convenience without sacrificing pedigree. The result is the Fyne Audio Cubitt 5, the company’s inaugural foray into the competitive world of active stereo speaker systems.
Priced at $749 (£549 / AU$1,499), the Cubitt 5 enters a crowded market segment where it must contend with established wireless solutions that prioritize user experience as much as acoustic output. While the Cubitt 5 delivers a masterclass in sound engineering, its journey to the living room is not without significant friction.
Main Facts: The Engineering Under the Hood
The Fyne Audio Cubitt 5 is built on the foundation of the company’s proprietary "IsoFlare" technology. This design philosophy places a 19mm titanium dome tweeter precisely in the acoustic center of a 127mm multi-fiber mid/bass driver. The objective is to achieve a true point-source of sound, which theoretically optimizes driver integration and ensures uniform sound dispersion regardless of the listener’s position in the room.
To manage the low-end performance, Fyne has utilized its "FyneFlute" surround design—a distinctive, non-uniform pattern that mitigates unwanted energy from the driver’s movement. Powering this array is a robust 240-watt Class D amplifier configuration, providing 60 watts per driver. This system is supported by a front-firing bass reflex slot, which contributes to a claimed frequency response of 43Hz to 34kHz.
The connectivity suite is surprisingly comprehensive for a system at this price point. The primary speaker acts as the central hub, housing all inputs:
- Wireless: Bluetooth 5.0 with support for aptX HD.
- Analog: A dedicated moving magnet (MM) phono stage (compatible with high-output moving coil cartridges) and a standard line-level RCA input.
- Digital: An optical input and an HDMI ARC port, facilitating a seamless connection with modern televisions.
- Processing: An internal DAC capable of handling 24-bit/96kHz resolution.
Chronology: From Concept to Consumer Living Room
The trajectory of the Cubitt 5 represents a shift in Fyne Audio’s product roadmap. Traditionally a brand focused on the audiophile who builds a system piece-by-piece, the Cubitt 5 serves as a "just-add-source" solution.
Upon unboxing, the setup process is intentionally straightforward. The primary speaker connects to the mains, while a supplied four-core umbilical cable transmits both power and audio data to the secondary speaker. This is a design choice that favors simplicity and ensures the signal path between the two units remains uncompromised by wireless latency.
However, the "first impressions" phase of the user experience reveals the system’s most significant shortcoming. Once the system is powered on, there is an audible, low-level hiss emanating from the drivers even before any music is cued. While this noise floor disappears once playback begins, its presence during idle moments is a glaring omission in an otherwise high-end audio product.
Supporting Data: Performance and Sonic Signature
When the music finally plays, the narrative shifts from frustration to admiration. The Cubitt 5 is, by a significant margin, one of the most sonically capable wireless systems in the sub-$750 bracket.
Soundstage and Coherence
The point-source design of the IsoFlare drivers creates a soundstage that defies the physical dimensions of the compact, 260 x 165 x 215mm cabinets. Whether spinning a vinyl record via the built-in phono stage or streaming high-resolution audio over Bluetooth, the system remains coherent and organized. During testing with complex arrangements—such as Julian Cope’s Peggy Suicide—the speakers managed to isolate fine harmonic details without sacrificing the overall musical performance.
Tonal Balance and Dynamics
The Cubitt 5 demonstrates a sophisticated approach to frequency management. While the high-frequency response is assertive, it never veers into the realm of harshness or sibilance. The midrange is particularly articulate, providing a naturalistic, eloquent rendering of vocals.
Regarding the low-end, while the 43Hz extension claim may be slightly optimistic in practice, the bass is authoritative, punchy, and tightly controlled. The system exhibits significant dynamic headroom, handling sudden shifts in volume without distortion. Most impressively, the Cubitt 5 maintains its sonic character regardless of the input selected or the volume level, refusing to "color" the sound as the output increases.
Official Responses and Design Philosophy
Fyne Audio has been transparent about its design priorities: the engineering of the sound takes precedence. The company’s decision to omit an app-based control system and physical buttons on the cabinets reflects a "less is more" approach that focuses the budget entirely on the acoustic hardware and amplification components.
However, the decision to bundle a low-cost, uninspired remote control has been a point of contention. The remote lacks feedback, offering no visual or tactile confirmation of volume adjustments or input selection. For a brand that prides itself on high-end craftsmanship, this choice feels like a missed opportunity to complete the premium experience. The build quality of the cabinets themselves—featuring curved corners and a variety of high-quality finishes like olive green and pebble gray—is impeccable, highlighting that the "low-rent" feeling is confined strictly to the user interface, not the hardware.
Implications: Where the Cubitt 5 Fits
The Fyne Audio Cubitt 5 is a product of contradictions. It is a brilliant piece of acoustic engineering trapped in a user experience that feels slightly behind the times.
The Desktop Dilemma
Because of the audible hiss when the system is idle, the Cubitt 5 is ill-suited for near-field desktop listening. For a user sitting three feet away, that faint noise floor becomes a permanent, irritating feature of the environment.
The Living Room Potential
Conversely, as a bookshelf or stand-mounted system in a living room, the Cubitt 5 is exceptional. When placed at a distance, the hiss becomes non-existent, and the user can fully appreciate the expansive, rhythmic, and detailed presentation of the music. It is a fantastic alternative for those who want an "audiophile" experience without the complexity of separate amplifiers and passive speakers.
Comparative Analysis
Compared to the Cambridge L/R S or the Ruark Audio MR1 mk3, the Fyne Audio product occupies a different tier. While the Cambridge and Ruark options may offer better "all-around" usability or more compact forms, the Cubitt 5 offers a superior level of musical insight and raw power. If the priority is absolute sound quality, the Cubitt 5 wins. If the priority is ease of use and a modern "smart" interface, the competition offers a smoother ride.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?
The Fyne Audio Cubitt 5 is a testament to the fact that you cannot cheat physics. The engineering invested in the drivers and the amplification results in a listening experience that justifies the $749 price tag entirely. However, the lack of basic features—like input indicators or a refined control interface—prevents it from being the definitive, "no-brainer" purchase in its category.
If you are a listener who values transparency, soundstaging, and punchy dynamics above all else, the Cubitt 5 is a phenomenal choice. You will learn to live with the remote and you will eventually stop noticing the start-up hiss. But if you are a user who demands a seamless, high-tech interface to match the quality of the sound, you may find the experience slightly lacking. Fyne Audio has created a pair of speakers that sound like they belong in a higher price bracket; it is a shame the user experience doesn’t quite keep pace.
