Fyne Audio Cubitt 5 review: strong sound, frustrating controls

Fyne Audio’s first active speaker system, the Cubitt 5, delivers spacious, balanced sound but has awkward controls and audible hiss when idle, according to TechRadar reviewer Simon Lucas.

The system uses compact cabinets with a 19mm titanium dome tweeter centered in a 127mm multi-fiber mid/bass driver. Fyne Audio calls this arrangement IsoFlare. Each of the four drivers has 60 watts of Class D amplification, for 240 watts total. The company specifies a frequency response of 43Hz to 34kHz.

Connectivity includes Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD, stereo RCA inputs for phono and line-level analog audio, optical digital input, and HDMI ARC. The digital-to-analog converter supports up to 24bit/96kHz. The primary speaker handles the connections, while the system’s only control option is a remote. There are no controls on the speakers or indicators for the selected input or volume.

Lucas reports a consistent hiss from both speakers when they are powered on and no music is playing. He says it is not audible during playback. He praises the Cubitt 5’s detail, soundstage, bass authority, and midrange, while describing its treble as forceful but not overly harsh.

The Cubitt 5 is on sale for $749 in the United States, £549 in the United Kingdom, and AU$1,499 in Australia. Lucas calls it one of the strongest wireless stereo systems he has heard below $750, while noting the usability drawbacks.