AVReviews

This time, we have the opportunity to review Fyne Audio’s flagship and luxurious standmount speaker, the F1-8. This is our first encounter with the company’s top-tier F1 series.

We would like to thank Audio Video, the official importer of Fyne Audio in Israel, for providing us with these speakers for review.

Bottom Line

About Fyne Audio

Fyne Audio was founded in Scotland in 2017 by a group of experienced audio experts, many of whom came from Tannoy. Established in England in 1926 and later relocated to Scotland in the 1970s, Tannoy is one of the most renowned names in the British audio industry. In 2015, Tannoy was acquired by the Philippine company Music Group. This acquisition likely sparked the idea of creating Fyne Audio in the minds of several senior figures at Tannoy.

From its inception, Fyne Audio quickly gained recognition and was treated as an established manufacturer, thanks to the extensive knowledge and experience behind the company. One of its key figures is Dr. Paul Mills, the company’s technical director, who previously led Tannoy’s engineering division. Under his leadership, Fyne Audio has drawn significant inspiration from Tannoy’s ideas and successes while infusing them with innovation and a fresh perspective.

Despite being a relatively young company, Fyne Audio’s speaker lineup is broad and diverse, ranging from more accessible series like the Fyne Audio F500 bookshelf speakers to models that uphold the vintage traditions of British audio, such as the Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII. At the top of the company’s range sits the flagship F1 series—their most advanced lineup, showcasing the technological expertise of Fyne Audio’s engineers under the leadership of Dr. Paul Mills.

Under Test: Fyne Audio F1-8

The Fyne Audio F1-8 is the larger standmount model in the company’s flagship F1 series. The lineup also includes the smaller bookshelf model, the F1-5, along with three floorstanding models: the F1-8S, F1-10S, and F1-12S. The final digit in each model name indicates the size (in inches) of the coaxial IsoFlare driver.

We've covered Fyne Audio’s unique technologies in our previous reviews, and as expected from a flagship speaker, the F1-8 features the most advanced versions of these innovations. At its core is the IsoFlare driver—a coaxial design with a 25mm magnesium dome tweeter at its center. The mid-bass driver has a diameter of 200mm (8 inches) and is made from Multi-Fibre material.

Surrounding the IsoFlare driver is the FyneFlute surround—a specially designed rubber surround developed using computer modeling. This design features a non-uniform shape with integrated grooves, which help minimize reflections and coloration. As a result, it contributes to more accurate music reproduction.

Another key technology is BassTrax, which features a downward-firing port that directs bass energy onto a cone-shaped diffuser mounted on an aluminum stand. This design ensures a uniform 360-degree dispersion of low frequencies. Thanks to this even distribution, Fyne Audio speakers are less sensitive to placement within the listening space.

The cabinet of the Fyne Audio F1-8 is handcrafted and sits on an aluminum base, which houses the BassTrax diffuser. The enclosure itself features curved side panels to minimize standing waves. Additionally, the IsoFlare driver is mounted on a separate structure from the main cabinet, ensuring that the sound waves emitted from the driver do not interact with the enclosure. This eliminates diffraction—where sound reflections from the cabinet can color the audio. The cabinet is constructed from a composite of rigid materials, including solid walnut. The F1 series speakers are available in a single finish: high-gloss walnut. The structure holding the driver is wrapped in leather for a refined aesthetic.

The Fyne Audio F1-8 has a sensitivity of 91dB and a nominal impedance of 8 ohms, making it easy to drive and well-suited for low-wattage tube amplifiers. The crossover network undergoes cryogenic treatment to optimize signal transmission, ensuring maximum clarity and transparency.

On the front panel, there is a presence control knob that allows adjustment of the 2.5kHz–5.0kHz frequency range by ±3dB. Since the speaker's crossover point is set at 1.8kHz, this adjustment affects only the tweeter. According to Fyne Audio, this feature helps tailor the sound to both the listening environment and personal preference, influencing vocal clarity and soundstage depth.

On the rear panel, you’ll find two sets of terminal connectors. The speakers come with high-quality jumpers featuring gold-plated connectors.

The Fyne Audio F1-8 is one of the largest and heaviest standmount speakers we've had the chance to review. Its dimensions are 470mm in height, 280mm in width, and 441mm in depth, with a weight of 15.2kg.

Design and Build Quality

The Unboxing video:

I’ll start with two complains. First, I believe that such heavy speakers should come in two separate boxes, which could have significantly eased their transportation. My second point concerns the provided jumper cables. While they are of very high quality, the banana connectors are quite thick and make it very difficult to connect them to the speakers. In comparison, the two sets of cables I used for this review—the Nordost Blue Heaven and the QED XT25—are thinner and much easier to connect.

Now that I’ve finished complaining, let’s move on to the praise. The finish of the Fyne Audio F1-8 is one of the most impressive I’ve seen. It has an elegant and luxurious feel, blending the look of a vintage, high-end wooden furniture piece (or whiskey barrel) with something more modern, thanks to the shape and use of leather. However, it’s worth noting that this is the only finish available in the series, so if it doesn’t fit well with the design of your listening space, there’s no alternative.

Similarly to the design, the build quality is nothing short of exceptional—from the stand to the curved shape of the cabinet, the shape that houses the driver, and finally, the top plate with its gracefully rounded corners. Terms such as "luxurious" and "a true work of craftsmanship" are truly fitting in this case.

The size of this speaker is quite surprising, with the depth being perhaps the most unexpected of all—something very unique for bookshelf speakers. If you’re considering purchasing such a speaker, don’t skip on dedicated stands or other high-quality alternatives; this is definitely not a speaker to place on a console. I used my basic stands, and I must admit, cold sweat covered my forehead as I hoped they wouldn’t collapse under the weight of the F1-8. I certainly regretted not requesting the matching stands along with the speakers.

The Listening Test

For the listening test of the Fyne Audio F1-8, I used two different systems. First, my personal system, which consists of the Nagra Classic Int integrated amplifier, MSB Discrete DAC with two external power supplies, and the Nagra Streamer. The second system featured the PrimaLuna EVO 200 integrated amplifier, which was also provided to us for review by Audio Video (the full review will be published soon). In this case, the source was my CD player, the Ayre CX-8 with a streamer module.

For the first three days, I played the speakers using the PrimaLuna amplifier, as it also required some break-in time.

Adjustments and Placement

The attempt to achieve the best result from the Fyne Audio F1-8 with both different systems proved to be a valuable learning experience. Although, in my opinion, the Fyne Audio F1-8 speakers are not particularly "sensitive" when it comes to placement, likely thanks to the BassTrax technology, which ensures even bass dispersion in all directions, achieving optimal performance still requires experimentation with the toe-in and Presence adjustments.

The angle of the toe-in affects the sound focus, object placement, and vocal centering—all of which improve with a slight toe-in. On the other hand, the maximum soundstage size is achieved when the speakers are positioned straight without toe-in. Regarding the Presence adjustment, increasing the value emphasizes the vocal range, making it sound cleaner, and the presentation becomes more relaxed. Conversely, lowering the Presence makes the vocals less pronounced, allowing the bass and treble to become more prominent, which enhances the dynamic feel.

My personal preference turned out to be system-dependent. With the PrimaLuna, I preferred the Fyne Audio F1-8 positioned straight without toe-in to achieve the largest possible soundstage, and I set the Presence one notch back since the PrimaLuna itself emphasizes the vocal range. A slight reduction in Presence provided a more balanced result with improved dynamics. In contrast, with the Nagra system, I preferred a slight toe-in, as the soundstage was larger, and I was willing to "sacrifice" a bit of size for improved focus. The Nagra sound is, in my opinion, already balanced, so I left the Presence at the default setting. This was an interesting lesson in that speaker positioning depends on the entire system, not necessarily just the speakers themselves.

CD Source

In the first part of the listening test, my source was the Ayre CX-8 CD player, connected via RCA cables from QED to the PrimaLuna EVO 200 amplifier, which was connected to the Fyne Audio F1-8 speakers using QED XT25 speaker cables. Additionally, the CD player was connected via an AESEBU cable, Shunyata Research Alpha V2, to the MSB Discrete DAC, which was then connected to the Nagra Classic Int integrated amplifier, and to the speakers via Nordost Blue Heaven cables.

I began with "Preacherman" by Melody Gardot, which I also used for the adjustments described in the previous section. With the PrimaLuna, the bass sounded warm and punchy, the soundstage was three-dimensional, and the presentation was smooth, soft, and pleasant. The vocal focus was good, and the dynamics were solid, even at low volumes. With the Nagra and MSB, I received more detail from the Fyne Audio F1-8, particularly in the quieter sections. The sound signature was more neutral, with even more detail in the vocals. Overall, the sound was fuller and richer, with excellent micro-dynamics.

I also tried two folk albums, The Pirate's Gospel by Alela Diane and All Is One by Allan Taylor. Both of these albums taught me additional characteristics of the Fyne Audio F1-8. In both cases, I received a natural and softened presentation. There was a very good level of detail in the vocals, and the speakers were able to push a lot of air thanks to the large mid-bass driver. This resulted in a sound that felt effortless, with an airy quality in the reproduction of piano or guitar.

The sound signature of the Fyne Audio F1-8 represents a fascinating blend of modern sound with the traditional and familiar sound that originates from Tannoy. The modern sound prioritizes neutrality, transparency, dynamics, and an absolute level of detail, sometimes even bordering on analytical. In contrast, the traditional sound, stemming from Tannoy, is characterized by warmth, softness, uniformity thanks to the point-source design, and an emotionally engaging reproduction of vocals and acoustic instruments. The Fyne Audio F1-8 captures both the soothing warmth that flatters vocals, the uniformity of the sound, and the emotionally charged presentation. On the other hand, they offer excellent detail and a more neutral tonal character. In other words, these speakers offer a more modern iteration of the beloved and familiar sound that has captivated audio enthusiasts for decades. This is where the magic of the F1-8 lies.

That said, if you are seeking a completely neutral, transparent, precise, and "characterless" speaker, this may not be the right one for you.

Streaming Content

In the second part of the listening test, I focused on my personal system and switched to using the Nagra Streamer as the source (connected to the MSB Discrete DAC and Nagra Classic Int amplifier) to explore additional musical genres. I began with the electronic piece Veto by SOHN from his album Tremors. The atmospheric bass reproduction and the creation of a large soundstage were impressive, with the vocals being clean, centered, and detailed. The dynamics were natural and convincing. However, the soft and pleasant character of the Fyne Audio F1-8 doesn't necessarily flatter the electronic genre, which might benefit from greater precision and absolute detail.

I then moved on to a completely different piece, a brilliant jazz composition titled Le temps passé, performed live by the French artist Michel Jonasz. This is a long piece that includes brass instruments, percussion, piano, and vocals. The bass is surprisingly punchy, and small effects, such as various percussive taps, are very clear. The atmosphere manages to wonderfully recreate the feeling of a live performance. This is an example of music where the Fyne Audio F1-8 excels; they convey the piece with exceptional emotion.

So, while I wasn’t as impressed with the Fyne Audio F1-8 in pure electronic music, I was particularly moved by their performance in jazz. The perfect album for them turned out to be a blend of both genres. One of the best albums I’ve discovered recently is 707 by the German nu-jazz group Nighthawks from 2016. The album’s music combines elements of jazz, funk, with some electronic touches. The sound through the F1-8 is characterized by clarity with depth, punch, softness, naturalness, good detail, and wonderful dynamics. The brass instruments, for example, in the piece Portree Liberty are rendered smoothly, with the high frequencies rounded off in a very pleasant way. Listening to this album was nothing short of a delight for the ears.

To sum up the sound section, I was impressed with the Fyne Audio F1-8 with both very different systems. Despite being expensive speakers, the results I achieved when paired with the mid-tier PrimaLuna amplifier were nothing short of wonderful. The combination of the F1-8’s high efficiency with tube amplification is a guaranteed recipe for an enjoyable and engaging sound. With a more high-end transistor system, like the Nagra and MSB setup, you can achieve an even bigger sound with more detail and a more neutral character. This allows you to choose which direction you'd like to take with the Fyne Audio F1-8.

Regarding the bass performance of the Fyne Audio F1-8, I believe the driver size can create somewhat misleading expectations. I would describe the F1-8’s bass as clean, airy, and very well-balanced in relation to the midrange. The speakers offer good dynamics and punch, but the bass isn’t necessarily extremely powerful or deeply extended.

Summary

The Fyne Audio F1-8 are luxury flagship speakers from the proud Scottish manufacturer. These speakers represent the pinnacle of the company’s technology, while still honoring its roots and the rich history of British audio.

The Fyne Audio F1-8 are some of the largest and most impressive bookshelf speakers we’ve reviewed. Their build quality and design are nothing short of a work of art, though it's unfortunate that the speakers are available in only one finish.

Listening to the Fyne Audio F1-8 taught me about a different aspect of the high-end audio world. In the modern audio industry, many companies aim for a neutral and accurate sound signature. In contrast, Fyne Audio presents a different approach, blending modern sound with the more traditional British sound that includes warmth and an especially emotional rendition of vocals, acoustic instruments, and brass.

So, if you’re looking for a large, high-quality bookshelf speaker that will move you with every listen, even if you don’t pair them with a high-end amplification system, the Fyne Audio F1-8 are speakers you simply must hear.

Price: 38,000 NIS
Warranty: 1 year
Importer: Audio Video

The system I used for the review: 
DAC: MSB Technology Discrete DAC with dual power supplies
Integrated Amplifier 1: Nagra Classic Int
Integrated Amplifier 2: PrimaLuna EVO 200
CD player and Streamer: Ayre CX-8
Streamer: Nagra Streamer

Cables: 
XLR cable between the DAC and Amp: Nordost Blue Heaven
AES/EBU cable between the CD and DAC: Shunyata Research Alpha V2
Coaxial cable between the streamer and DAC: Nordost Blue Heaven
Speaker cables: Nordost Blue Heaven \ QED XT25

Power:
Power cables for the Streamer, amplifier (Nagra), CD and DAC : Nordost Blue Heaven
Power Distribution Block : QBASE QB8 Mark II (to it the Streamer, amplifier – Nagra, DAC and CD player were connected)
Power cable for the distribution block: Nordost Red Dawn