The Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi wireless speakers offer a compact, fully autonomous solution for enjoying music and TV sound via HDMI ARC. AirPlay 2, Chromecast and DTS Play-Fi compatible, it can access web radios, music shared over the network, as well as a multitude of streaming services. Its acoustic design, inherited from the Argon Audio Forte A4 MKII Bluetooth model, is paired with with 2 x 160-watt amplification to promise great performance in a reduced format and for less than €700.
Packaging and accessories
The pair of Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi speakers is delivered in a single large cardboard box, with each component securely wedged inside. They come with acoustic grilles, a power cable, a 3-meter-long cable to connect the two speakers, and an aluminum infrared remote control.
Presentation
Recently launched in France, the Argon Audio brand enjoys a strong international reputation for the excellent value for money of its equipment. Initially launched as a private label for Scandinavian stores Hifi Klubben, Argon Audio benefits from the expertise of its founder Peter Lyngdorf. This iconic figure of the hi-fi world is also behind Dali speakers, Lyngdorf electronics, and several other prestigious brands in the sector.
Read: Argon Audio, the constant quest for value for money
Like the Nordic hi-fi specialist’s other creations, the Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi speakers are the perfect embodiment of Scandinavian style, with a simple, minimalist silhouette. The cabinet, devoid of visible screws or traces of assembly, looks as if it is carved out of a single block. Its rounded edges add a touch of elegance while reducing the visual footprint. The front panel, thanks to the use of magnetic covers, remains remarkably pure. The speaker is even more appealing when these grilles are removed to reveal the drivers, surrounded by an elegant metal ring. Available in white, walnut, black or blue, the Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi speakers blend harmoniously into any interior. Their ultra-compact format with a width of 14cm and a height of 24cm makes them particularly easy to place, whether on a desk, a shelf or directly alongside the TV. In this configuration, we would have liked to be able to deactivate the LED indicator on the front panel to limit light pollution.
Integrated connectors
Although the Argon Forte A4 WiFi speakers support a wide range of wireless protocols, communication between the two speakers is done via a 3m DIN connection cable. It’s a pity that it isn’t longer, to facilitate speaker placement. However, this connection mode allows the right speaker to be passive, so you don’t have to place it next to a power outlet.
The amplification and connectors are all centralized in the master speaker. They include two RCA inputs, one of which is phono, as well as an optical input. It is therefore possible to connect numerous sources, such as a CD player and a turntable, for example. What’s more, an HDMI ARC port lets you connect the speakers to your TV, allowing you to retrieve the sound of the program you’re watching. The result is a compact, discreet solution for enhancing TV sound. Less pleasingly, the USB-A port can only be used to recharge a mobile device, with no support for music playback, whether from a USB stick or a computer. For lovers of powerful bass, there’s also a subwoofer output.
Streaming, multi-room and surround sound
Unlike the Audio Forte A4 MK2, the Bluetooth module on the Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi speakers is SBC and AAC compatible only, with no support for HD codecs. This model relies more on WiFi use to enjoy streaming in the best possible conditions. The Forte A4 WiFi is based on the DTS Play:Fi ecosystem for direct access to the majority of streaming services, including Spotify, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music and Tidal. You can also listen to web radios and files shared over your local network. The speakers’ internal DAC supports Hi-Res files up to 24-bit/192kHz.
The Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi speakers can also receive music directly from an Apple smartphone, tablet or computer, thanks to support for AirPlay 2 streaming. Android users can stream via Chromecast. In addition, these two protocols enable the speakers to be integrated into a multi-room group to enjoy music throughout the home. This multi-room listening experience can also be carried out in DTS Play:Fi, with the possibility of using this pair of speakers to reproduce surround sound channels in a compatible system such as a Philips TV or soundbar. Their compact size makes them ideal for a discreet and elegant home theater installation.
App and remote control
Before use, the speakers must be switched on using their remote control. While they can then be controlled directly from the source when listening via Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 or Chromecast, use of the DTS Play:Fi mobile app becomes essential for network streaming. It lets you configure and access your favorite streaming services, files shared over the network, and the various multi-room stereo or multichannel groups. The interface, though basic, ensures intuitive control and access to the various features. In addition to streaming, it is possible to activate Alexa or Google Assistant voice assistants to control music vocally using the microphone on the smartphone or a smart speaker.
In addition to the DTS app, the Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi speakers can be controlled using the included infrared remote control. With its fully aluminum design, it appears to be of very high quality. It can be used to switch the speakers on or off, select the source (non-WiFi), change the track (next or previous track) and adjust the volume. However, you must aim precisely at the master speaker for it to work correctly. There is also a slight delay between pressing a key and the command being executed by the speakers. It’s nothing serious, though, especially for speakers costing less than €700. That said, we would have liked to see a physical control interface on the speakers, which would be more practical when the speakers are on a desk.
Acoustic design
While the Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi speakers are packed with features and connectivity, they don’t forget their primary mission, which is to play music. To this end, they adopt the acoustic design of the Argon Audio Forte A4 MK2 Bluetooth version. This includes a 4″ midbass driver with a cone made from two distinct layers to maximize rigidity and control. The latter is combined with a low-distortion motor system. The tweeter is a classic 1″ soft dome model. Its motorization benefits from neodymium magnets to maximize dynamics while optimizing precision.
The amplification of the Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi is built into the master speaker. It consists of four separate 80W modules, so that each driver benefits from its own amplification. As a result, the pair of Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi speakers has a total power output of 360W, delivering a sound performance that belies their compact size.
Configuration
Once the speakers have been connected to each other using the included cable, and the master model plugged into the mains, the associated wired and Bluetooth sources can be used straight away. For WiFi use, you will need to perform the initial configuration in the DTS Play:Fi app. A few simple steps are all it takes to link the speaker to the home network. From then on, you can enjoy streaming and multi-room music.
Listening impressions
The Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi speakers were surprisingly powerful for their size. In a tiny package, they delivered a dynamic, energetic reproduction. The bass was pleasantly powerful, tight and precise as soon as the volume is turned up. Without going very deep, the Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi speakers managed to add impact and weight to music. The listening experience was always well-paced and lively.
Spaced about 2m apart, the Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi speakers offered a beautiful soundstage and enveloping sound. The stereo image was well-defined and natural, with precise channel division. These audio capabilities were also very impressive in our home theater, extending the sound far beyond the physical limits of the screen. Without competing with a true multi-channel system, the Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi speakers can enhance immersion by adding weight to action scenes, while ensuring highly effective voice separation. They are also a better alternative to soundbars for stereo sound.
Clear and transparent, the Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi speakers gave music a pleasant freshness. Slightly accentuated highs added a touch of luster without ever being harsh. The midrange was well-defined and natural, contributing to a good reproduction of vocals, that stood out effectively from the rest of the music, allowing every word to be appreciated effortlessly.
Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi vs Audio Pro A28
Priced at €599, the Audio Pro A28 wireless speakers are even more compact for easier integration. They offer clearer listening, sometimes a little less well-balanced than the Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi. In terms of functionality, both speakers are equivalent, with access to streaming services and HDMI ARC port for TV.
Who are these speakers for?
The Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi speakers are an excellent solution for users looking for an all-in-one audio system, easy to set up on a desk, in the living room or alongside the TV. Their versatility makes them ideal for listening to various streaming services and digital tracks, without having to do without physical sources, including the TV, thanks to HDMI ARC.
Conclusion
With a discreet format and impressive performance, the Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi speakers are the perfect embodiment of Scandinavian expertise, combining design and technology in a seductively accessible format. They shine with their energetic, dynamic reproduction, with surprisingly assertive bass for speakers of this size. The DTS Play-Fi system offers a smooth and enjoyable streaming and multi-room experience, although the fact that you can’t take the speakers out of standby without a remote control is sometimes a bother. The comprehensive connectivity with HDMI ARC surpasses expectations, making these sub-€700 speakers a must-have reference for many everyday needs.
We liked:
- The compact format
- The energetic reproduction
- The stereo image
- The numerous network functions
We would have liked:
- To have been able to take them out of standby without using the remote control
- The ability to disable the light on the front
- A control interface on the speaker
- The ability to connect the two speakers wirelessly
