Fyne Audio Cubitt 5: Compact wireless speakers launch with premium sound, usability gaps

Fyne Audio has released the Cubitt 5, its first active wireless speaker system, targeting audiophiles with compact, high-power stereo sound. While the system earns praise for its audio performance, reviewers point to persistent background noise and subpar control options as significant drawbacks.

Tarun Mottlia

Editor, Lazyfounder

Published Oct 25, 20262 min read

Fyne Audio Cubitt 5: Compact wireless speakers launch with premium sound, usability gaps — Image: © Future / Simon Lucas) via source

Compact design with high-end audio hardware

The Cubitt 5 is Fyne Audio’s first active speaker system, priced at $749 in the U.S., £549 in the U.K., and AU$1,499 in Australia. Each unit measures 260 x 165 x 215mm and houses a 127mm ‘IsoFlare’ mid/bass driver paired with a 19mm titanium dome tweeter, delivering 240 watts of power.

The system supports multiple inputs, including Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD, line- and MM phono-level analog, optical, and HDMI ARC. Fyne Audio claims a frequency response of 43Hz to 34kHz, aiming for a broad range of audio detail.

Sound praised, usability criticized

Reviewers acknowledge the Cubitt 5’s strengths in detail retrieval, soundstaging, and low-frequency authority, calling its sound spacious and well-organized. However, the system draws criticism for an audible hiss when powered on but not playing music, a common annoyance in active speaker setups.

Usability issues extend to its controls. The Cubitt 5 lacks on-speaker buttons or dials, and its remote control is described as cheap and unlovely. It also omits input selection or volume indicators, forcing users to rely on trial and error for adjustments.

Aesthetic options and market positioning

The Cubitt 5 is available in five finishes: olive green, arctic white, midnight black, pearl titanium, and pebble gray. Its compact build and premium audio hardware position it as a high-end alternative for space-conscious buyers, though its usability flaws may deter some.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

For founders and operators in consumer electronics, the Cubitt 5’s launch underscores the tension between audio performance and user experience. Fyne Audio’s reputation for passive loudspeakers gives it credibility in sound quality, but the system’s usability gaps—like the reliance on a flawed remote and the lack of on-speaker controls—highlight how even premium products can stumble on basics. Competitors in the wireless speaker segment may see an opening to differentiate by refining these pain points, particularly for users who prioritize seamless interaction over audiophile-grade hardware alone.

Sources

TechRadar · 2026-10-24
I tried to ignore this compact stereo speaker system's background hiss and focus on the spacious and punchy sound, but I couldn't forgive the low-rent control options

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