Review: Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi

Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi is the third generation of the Forte series. We have tested different models in the previous two series and have been impressed with the sound every time.

As before, these are compact, active two-way speakers with 4-inch midwoofer and 1-inch dome tweeter. The speakers can only be purchased as a stereo pair as all the electronics, including the four 80-watt amplifiers, are located in the left speaker. The two speakers are connected to each other with a multicore cable.

Wireless networking – finally

The obvious news is that the Forte A4 WiFi has built-in wireless networking. Otherwise, they are identical to the MK2 versions released about a year ago. The new models will not replace the MK2 models, so you will be able to choose whether you want networking in the future.

Connecting your signal sources via cable or Bluetooth instead of buying the Wi-FI version can save you around a third of the price. Argon Audio is to be commended for having both a regular line input and a turntable input. As well as an optical Toslink input. There’s also a subwoofer output. The only thing I miss is a channel switch that would allow you to choose which speaker appears as right and left. As it is now, you have to place any signal sources close to the left speaker – or have long cables.

On a slightly smaller note, the Wi-Fi models, including this one, are available in one more colour than the previous series. If you’re feeling sporty, the Forte A4 Wi-Fi is available in blue. But you can still choose black, white and walnut colours.

Multiroom and streaming

The Wi-Fi connection allows you to stream audio losslessly from your mobile phone. Either via Airplay 2 or Chromecast. But the speakers also have built-in streaming and multi-room functionality in the form of DTS Play-Fi. Play-Fi is not as well-known and widespread as the big multi-room platforms Sonos, BluOS and HEOS, but it is an open system that is not tied to specific manufacturers.

Setting up Play-Fi and pairing devices isn’t quite as streamlined as we’re used to with other multi-room platforms. However, it was relatively quick to recognise the speakers in the app and then get them on the wireless network, and to set up music streaming via Tidal. Play-Fi supports virtually all relevant music services. And those that can’t be accessed directly from the app – such as Apple Music – can still be streamed via mobile and either AirPlay 2 (iOS) or Chromecast (Android).

Perfect soundbar alternative

In addition to playing music wirelessly, Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi is an interesting alternative to soundbars when the TV needs a new best friend. There is HDMI Arc input and also the aforementioned optical digital input. As pure stereo speakers, the small speakers can’t compete on surround sound – real or simulated. But they have a purity that most soundbars can only dream of.

The sound of the Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi

Since the difference with the Forte A4 WiFi lies solely in the wireless network connection, there are no acoustic surprises. The sound of the Wi-Fi version is as open and clean as its predecessors.

These small Argon speakers have a liberating absence of the colouration and resonances that cheap speakers with flimsy cabinets often suffer from.

Nor do they have a ‘sound’ where the bass is given an extra boost of warmth or where the treble gets extra shine. This means you get a chance to hear what the music sounds like.

I listened to a lot of music on the speakers, but the biggest ‘holy crap’ moment was listening to the radio news on them. It was easy to hear the difference between the sound of voices in the acoustically perfect radio studio where the hosts were sitting and the rooms where some of the correspondents were sitting. We’re talking about true monitor quality in a set of speakers that costs no more than a good multi-room speaker.

Of course there are limitations. The Forte A4 WiFi sounds clean, but the resolution of detail could be higher. So they’re not as revealing of flaws and nuances as ‘serious’ Hi-Fi speakers at many times the price.

The sound pressure and woofers are the biggest Achilles heel, however. A four-inch woofer enclosed in a cabinet that can fit two in a shoebox is unable to move enough air for deep bass reproduction. But in fact, the small Forte A4 and especially the DSP in them make a formidable attempt.

You can’t feel the pressure wave from the temple drums in Hans Nielsen and Zhao Cong’s Moon Light on Spring River but you can hear just enough of the overtones for your ears and brain to fill in the missing parts.

In general, we recommend not placing bookshelf speakers in the bookshelf, but on stands some distance from the back wall, as this reduces the impact of the room. But in this case, placing them against the wall can provide the missing bottom end support.

Competitors

Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi is in a price range where almost all other contenders are multi-room desktop speakers or soundbars. The Forte A4 can handle those tasks too, but they are first and foremost a set of stereo speakers with everything built in. If convenience is your goal, you can opt for a Sonos Five (formerly Play:5), which is slightly cheaper and has more powerful woofers, but doesn’t play nearly as cleanly. But if you can do without networking and multi-room, the biggest competitors are actually Argon’s own models. A Forte A4 MK2 has the same sound, but a lower price. And the Forte A5 MK2 costs the same as the Forte A4 WiFi, but has more power in the bass.

Conclusion

The Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi is a very successful speaker set that adds new capabilities to its already excellent predecessors. Among true active stereo speakers in its price range, Argon is virtually unrivalled. The Wi-Fi model is slightly more expensive than the Bluetooth-only version, but the addition of multi-room and music streaming more than justifies the price difference. And if you don’t need that, the standard version is still available. Bass reproduction is as good as you’d expect from a tiny speaker unit in a tiny enclosure, but if you’re playing in even medium-sized rooms, a subwoofer will be necessary. Or consider buying the larger A5 model.