From Stacks of Boxes to All-in-One Active Speakers
Traditional hi-fi has long meant multiple boxes: a stereo amplifier, phono stage, DAC, and perhaps a separate TV audio solution. Premium all-in-one active speakers are rapidly changing that expectation. By building amplification and connectivity directly into the cabinets, these systems drastically cut box count while retaining genuine hi-fi performance. The latest generation of premium active speakers combine HDMI ARC for TV sound, aptX HD Bluetooth for high-quality wireless streaming, and built-in moving magnet phono stages for vinyl, all in a compact stereo pair. Instead of juggling cables and components, users hook up a TV, turntable, laptop, or phone straight to the speakers. This shift is not just about convenience; it is about making serious sound more accessible for real-world homes, desks, and apartments where space, simplicity, and clean aesthetics matter as much as fidelity.
Elipson Facet II 6 Active BT: HDMI ARC Speakers That Replace a Rack
Elipson’s Prestige Facet II 6 Active BT shows how far all-in-one active speakers have come. One powered primary speaker houses the Class D amplification and connections, feeding a passive partner for true stereo. With 2 x 50 watts RMS driving a 25mm tweeter and 140mm mid-bass driver in each cabinet, it aims to deliver controlled, coherent sound without needing a separate amplifier. Crucially, it functions as HDMI ARC speakers, allowing a direct TV connection, volume control from the TV remote, and tighter lip-sync than many soundbars. Add Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX HD Bluetooth and a USB-C Hi-Res Audio input up to 24-bit/192 kHz, and streaming or desktop listening becomes plug-and-play. A built-in moving magnet phono stage turns the Facet II 6 into bona fide phono stage speakers, letting turntables connect directly without extra hardware.
Fyne Audio Cubitt 5: Practical Premium Active Speakers With Bite
Fyne Audio’s Cubitt 5 takes a slightly different path to the same destination: premium active speakers that fit modern living. Built around a 5-inch IsoFlare point-source driver with a 19mm titanium dome tweeter, the design focuses on time alignment and imaging, while FyneFlute surround technology reduces unwanted coloration. Connectivity is similarly ambitious. The Cubitt 5 includes Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD and AAC, optical digital up to 24-bit/96 kHz, analogue RCA, a subwoofer output, and HDMI ARC for TV use. A built-in moving magnet phono stage again makes these true phono stage speakers, simplifying vinyl playback. Source switching is handled via a straightforward remote rather than an app, underscoring the Cubitt 5’s emphasis on practicality. At USD 749 (approx. RM3,450), it competes head‑on with traditional separates-based systems, but in a footprint that suits desks, bedrooms, and small living rooms.
Why HDMI ARC and aptX HD Matter for Everyday Listening
The new wave of all-in-one active speakers is defined by how well they handle both modern and legacy sources. HDMI ARC support turns these systems into serious alternatives to soundbars, providing cleaner TV audio, better channel separation, and single-remote convenience. For many households, TV, games consoles, and streaming boxes become primary sources, so ARC integration is no longer optional. On the wireless side, aptX HD Bluetooth bridges casual convenience and audiophile aspirations, enabling higher-bitrate streaming from compatible phones, tablets, and laptops with less compression than basic SBC. Combine this with built-in moving magnet phono stages for turntables and line-level inputs for legacy gear, and speakers like the Elipson Facet II 6 Active BT and Fyne Audio Cubitt 5 become true system hubs. They serve TV, streaming, and vinyl in one tidy package, without giving up fidelity or flexibility.
Are All-in-One Active Speakers Ready to Replace Separates?
For many listeners, premium all-in-one active speakers now make a compelling case against traditional separates. Products like the Elipson Facet II 6 Active BT and Fyne Audio Cubitt 5 pack amplification, digital inputs, phono stages, and HDMI ARC into compact enclosures, reducing cost and complexity while still promising real hi-fi performance. With the Cubitt 5 coming in at USD 749 (approx. RM3,450), buyers weighing a modest integrated amplifier, phono stage, DAC, and TV audio solution may find that a single active pair delivers similar capability with less clutter and setup fuss. There are still reasons to choose separates—greater upgrade flexibility, component tailoring, and potentially higher performance at the extreme end. But for most people who want high-quality sound for streaming, TV, and vinyl in normal rooms, premium active speakers look increasingly like the new default choice.
