Even at half a meter away, the Forte A5 follow the sonic profile of their amp sibling to offer a pleasingly potent round sound with sufficient oomph. But they add a creamy midrange consistency and presence-region directness which the SA1 + Starke/Qln combos lacked. As likely partner in crime, I'd call out extremely smart collaboration between DSP, amps and drivers for top synergy. Percussion for example sounded naturally real. Even if the absolute attack speed of elite high-end solutions lacked, I can't say that it disturbed me or that the majority of listeners without direct comparison would ever notice.
Au contraire, it was great fun to cue up Pantha du Prince's "Transparent Tickle Shining Place" from their Conference of Trees album. This conjured up real stage depth, worked out space around the voices and instruments and even extended horizontally past the cabinets. What's more, Q-Sound effects came off believably. Of course the upper range wasn't as detailed as what B&W's €698/pr 606 passives manage with quality amplification on sheen and air. But this difference was less than pricing would suggest. Here my Nubert had no lead and in fact came across as somewhat less fluid and a tick more mechanical. What Argon Audio's active Forte A5 offer as a complete package is truly extraordinary.
Phew. That had hit hard! At these prices, I have zero complaints about either the small SA1 integrated or Forte A5 active monitors. Except for ultimate networking chops, the SA1 is a full-function machine with a fat full warm sound, proper reserves for less efficient speakers, very good finish and smart industrial design. I'd simply not combine too fulsome a speaker to favor leaner more analytical boxes that could stand a kick up the ba®sse. There's no ultimate resolution in the treble but in this price class that's not part of the job remit.
Identical on connectivity including phono, the Forte A5 then overwhelmed all personal expectations going into today's gig. Their first trump card is astonishingly mature potent bass which gives up ultimate control or elucidation to far costlier actives but serves up a big plate that'll leave nobody hungry. The next ace is the pleasingly consistent non-forward voicing mated to non-aggressive but impressive transients. And since all good things come in three, I must mention the astonishingly broad and deep soundstage which should both raise eyebrows and the ends of lips. Where the SA1 is a good-sounding uncomplicated universal amp for the money, the Forte A5 is a bona fide price/performance distruptor and serious contender well beyond the entry level which its tariff suggests,
