Once again, I encountered Amphion. However, this time, it is their smallest bookshelf speaker, the Argon 0. It is indeed very small, and can be held in one hand by an adult. However, if you want to lift it with one hand, you need to exert some effort, as the Argon 0 is heavier than you might think. Its compact size makes it easy to place anywhere without being obtrusive, whether on a desk or on a bedside table. But even with its small size, the cabinet must be solidly built to reduce cabinet resonance interference, allowing for cleaner and more direct sound; its weight contributes to this.
Amphion has two main series, the higher-end Argon and the entry-level Helium. Both series offer bookshelf, floor-standing, and center speakers, allowing you to choose according to your needs and budget. The speakers are labeled with a series name followed by a number, with larger numbers indicating larger speakers; for example, the Argon 0 is the smallest in the Argon series. (Yes, I am the zero model, who could be smaller than me?)
Titanium Tweeter, Aluminum WoofersUpon unboxing, I felt a sense of déjà vu; have I written about this speaker before? I checked the equipment review database, and indeed, I found it. I had previously reviewed a pair of almost identical Amphion speakers, but from the next level down, the Helium 410. The Helium 410 and Argon 0 share the same appearance, cabinet dimensions, and even similar specifications. Both feature a 2-way, 2-driver bass-reflex design, with a 1-inch titanium dome tweeter and a bass reflex port located at the rear. The two pairs of speakers placed together truly make it difficult to distinguish one from the other.
Emphasis on Temporal Phase and Diffusion ControlWhere do the differences lie? The answer is in the bass. The Helium series uses paper cones for the bass, while the Argon series uses aluminum cones. The Argon 0 uses a 4.5-inch aluminum woofer, and the metal grille is shaped to match the driver’s excursion. The crossover point is set at 1.6kHz, well above the frequency range sensitive to human ears. Its crossover is specially designed for temporal phase, allowing the Argon 0 to replicate the high 3D soundstage characteristic of other Amphion speakers. If you are a fan of minimalist design, Amphion speakers will surely appeal to you. The Argon 0, like all Amphion speakers, has a rectangular cabinet with clean lines, and the U/D/D waveguide is cleverly integrated into the rectangular design. Moreover, all speakers are made in Finland, including the cabinets, which is quite rare.
Practitioner of Minimalist AestheticsAmphion’s minimalism is not only reflected in the design of the products but also in the logic of production. The factory offers standard colors in black and white, but based on the combination of cabinet, grille, and waveguide colors, four options are available. Additionally, there is a walnut veneer version provided by the distributor. If you prefer bold colors, the factory offers up to eight grille colors for customization. This allows Amphion to create a variety of appearances for the Argon 0 in the simplest way. Paired with Homely Design Solid Wood Stands The listening tests were conducted in U-Audio’s listening room, using a Telos EMP streaming player running Roon (with a Macbook Pro as the Roon Core). The music sources came from Tidal and Qobuz, with USB digital output to the NuPrime DAC-10H, and then powered by the NuPrime Evolution STA stereo amplifier to drive the Argon 0. The listening was done in close proximity, with the speakers spaced about 1.2 to 1.4 meters apart, forming an equilateral triangle with the listening position, and with a toe-in angle to project the sound towards the outer edge of the shoulders. Although I believe the best placement for the Amphion Argon 0 is on a TV cabinet, side table, or desk, as its appeal lies in lifestyle, living, and home use. However, since there were no such furniture in the company, I had to place it on a speaker stand. The stand was provided by the distributor, made of walnut wood, with a base that hides steel plates to increase weight, suppress vibrations, and enhance stability. The stand is much heavier than the speakers, and at a height of 70 cm, it is quite suitable for the small Argon 0.
Warm, Full-bodied, and Rich Midrange with ClarityThe sound of the Argon 0 is just like what you would hear from other Amphion speakers: warm, full-bodied, and rich midrange with decent clarity. Although both the tweeter and woofer use metal cones, there is no metallic flavor or harshness in the sound; instead, it is soft and easy to listen to for long periods.
When listening to Diana Krall’s “All or Nothing at All,” the bass plucking at the beginning sounds crisp and clear due to the limited low-frequency reproduction of the speakers. However, it does not sound empty; if the speakers are not spaced too far apart, the plucking can still be full-bodied and solid. For a small speaker of this size and bass driver, this bass performance is quite impressive. I really like how it reproduces Diana Krall’s voice, with clear imaging and a strong sense of dimension, rich in details of enunciation and diction. But, please listen carefully; there is absolutely no harshness, not even a hint of it. Although there are many details, even at high volumes, those breath sounds, throat resonance, and lip sounds do not become tiresome to the ear. Once again, there is absolutely no harshness.
Clearly Reproducing an Explicit Stage in Close Listening
The U/D/D waveguide from Amphion can control the sound dispersion angle, reducing reflections from side walls and the floor and ceiling, creating a wider sweet spot for listening. Additionally, this design allows the tweeter to be recessed slightly, aligning the sound emission points of the tweeter and woofer vertically to create a more ideal point source sound. This effect is particularly noticeable for close listening like mine.
Listening to Kyrie Kristmanson’s “Song X,” where the accompanying instruments lack melodic instruments, only featuring percussion and finger snaps, the melody relies solely on the singer’s performance, while the accompaniment provides rhythm only. The Argon 0 not only delivers clear and distinct imaging but also clearly defines the sound points of the percussion, creating a specific and detailed stage right before me. There is no need to turn up the volume; you can grasp a considerable amount of musical information that is not only audible but also visible. Easily constructing a 3D soundstage with a sense of immersion
The more complex and rich the music organization, the more you can appreciate the charm of the Argon 0 (or rather, Amphion speakers). For example, in Daniel Yvinec’s Yvinek album, besides the sounds of real instruments, many effects are mixed in, creating a dreamy yet realistic atmosphere. Sitting in front of the Argon 0, while listening and writing, leaning slightly forward, I was immediately transported into a surreal realm with enveloping sound and solid, specific sound texture, the saxophone’s low notes accompanied by the subtle sound of the metal tube walls being pushed. What excellent soundstage reproduction!
Also Suitable for Watching Movies and Series Amphion states on its official website that the Argon 0 is very suitable for pairing with a TV, allowing you to enjoy good sound effects while watching series and movies. In practice, this is indeed the case. The clear and solid midrange, with a touch of softness, devoid of harshness, combined with excellent soundstage performance, makes it very suitable for theater applications. I simply connected the USB cable to the computer and played a few clips from My Video. Not only were the dialogues full and clear, but the sound effects of car chases and gunfights also performed excellently, with good continuity in the front sound effects, and the impact of explosions or collision scenes was not lacking due to the small size of the Argon 0. In a small space and close distance, the Argon 0 brings considerable enjoyment in theater applications.
Highly Recommended to Pair with a Subwoofer for a 2.1 Channel SetupAdditionally, I encourage Argon 0 users to consider purchasing a subwoofer. During the listening tests, I tried adding a Velodyne MicroVee 8-inch active subwoofer, not using surround preamp or surround amplifier’s low-frequency management, directly outputting from the preamp to the subwoofer, setting the crossover point around 65Hz, and adjusting the subwoofer’s volume based on listening. Adding the subwoofer significantly enhanced the overall sound quality; not only did it improve the fullness and depth of the bass, but it also enriched the thickness of the midrange and treble, making the music sound more three-dimensional, fuller, and more substantial, enhancing the impact and excitement of movie sound effects. The 2.1 channel setup with the Argon 0 and subwoofer is also a recommended solution by the factory.
When playing Anne-Sophie Mutter’s Across the Stars album without the subwoofer, the soundstage unfolds clearly, with distinct details, but the low frequencies are slightly lacking, leading to a thinner sound, requiring higher volume to push the music’s weight. However, high volume comes with its own issues; small speakers struggle to handle high volumes, leading to some nasal sounds due to cabinet vibrations. When adding the subwoofer, I could maintain the volume at the optimal level for the Argon 0 while still achieving a solid and weighty sound, and the rich bass further enriched the musical expression. Whether it’s the grand and powerful “Rey’s Theme” or the mysterious and eerie “Dracula: Night Journey,” a stable bass foundation is essential to showcase the music’s various expressions. Furthermore, with the subwoofer, the spacing between the speakers can be increased a bit more.
Ideal Desktop Listening Speaker – Remember to Add Isolation Pads As for desktop listening? I believe the Argon 0 is almost born for this. Its compact size takes up little space, and when placed on a medium-sized desk over a meter wide, paired with a USB DAC and amplifier, it creates a simple little system. It is suitable for both music listening and video watching when used with a computer. However, when placed on a desk, be sure to prepare a set of isolation pads or cones; otherwise, the desk’s resonance will muddy the sound, causing some distortion. This is my experience using the Argon 0 on an IKEA assembly desk, simulating desktop listening.
For Those Who Love Small Speakers, How Could You Not Try It?Just like last time with the Helium 410, the Amphion Argon 0, a small pair of bookshelf speakers, can bring you a wealth of musical listening pleasure. Amphion has a significant business designing speakers for professional recording studios, and they apply professional technology to home speakers, which is the true skill hidden beneath Amphion’s minimalist design. If you love small speakers, if you love beautiful small speakers, if you love beautiful, practical, and enjoyable small speakers, then how can you not try the Amphion Argon 0?Reference Equipment
Source: Telos EMP, NuPrime DAC-10H Amplifier: NuPrime Evolution STA Speakers: Velodyne MicroVee Subwoofer Cables: Tromba Marina OCC-1 Speaker Cable / Xsymphony Precision One Power Cable / Tromba Cypher-OCC USB Cable Accessories: MYSTJ Audio CMS Speaker Stand / ASI Tuning Equipment
Equipment SpecificationsAmphion Argon 0Type: 2-way, 2-driver bass-reflex bookshelf speaker Driver: 1-inch titanium dome tweeter x1, 4.5-inch aluminum mid-bass driver x1 Crossover Point: 1,600Hz Impedance: 8 ohms Efficiency: 86dB Frequency Response: 50Hz~25kHz (+/- 6dB) Recommended Amplifier Power: 20~120 watts Dimensions: 259x132x220mm (HxWxD) Weight: 4 kg
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