Can one speaker really replace a hi-fi system? We test five premium models

The era of bulky hi-fi systems with numerous cables is fading, replaced by sophisticated all-in-one speakers that integrate seamlessly into home decor. This review examines five premium models from Bang & Olufsen, Bowers & Wilkins, Devialet, Naim, and Sonus Faber, each offering a unique approach to delivering high-quality audio from a single unit.

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These all-in-one speakers show how premium audio is moving beyond traditional racks, separates and cables.

These new systems are designed with as much attention to materials like oak veneer and woven cloth as to the internal audio components. The goal is not just to identify the best-sounding speaker, but to understand how each unit influences both the music and the environment it occupies. A diverse playlist, ranging from classical pieces by Beethoven and Mozart to jazz by Dave Brubeck, and pop and rock hits from BTS, Billie Eilish, Guns N' Roses, and Queen, was used to test their capabilities.

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The systems reviewed here belong to a newer category: furniture that happens to make sound.

The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance, for instance, exemplifies this trend. Its design allows it to blend into a room, featuring a timber base and textile-wrapped body. The sound profile is equally understated, offering a warm, generous, and even soundstage. It excels at filling a room without overwhelming the listener, providing a pleasant experience for classical music, jazz, and pop. While it handles rock music with scale and warmth, its strength lies in creating an atmospheric sound rather than a highly detailed, in-your-face presentation.

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The objective was not simply to identify the best speaker, but to understand how each shapes both the music and the room it inhabits.