In this review, we will be comparing F500S and F500S LCR, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Fyne Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Fyne Audio F500S and Fyne Audio F500S LCR first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Fyne Audio F500S | Fyne Audio F500S LCR |
|---|
| Brand | Fyne Audio
United Kingdom · founded 2017 | Fyne Audio
United Kingdom · founded 2017 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Woofer | 6" | — |
|---|
| Frequency response | 45-34k Hz | 56-34k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30 - 100 W watts | — |
|---|
| Weight | 8.30kg / 18.3lbs | 10.21kg / 22.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12.8" x 8" x 12.5"
325.1 x 203.2 x 317.5mm | 7.9" x 20.9" x 6"
200.7 x 530.9 x 152.4mm |
|---|
What size room are the Fyne Audio F500S and Fyne Audio F500S LCR speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Fyne Audio F500S |
Fyne Audio F500S LCR |
| Near-field |
Good |
Good |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
No way |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that F500S is a 2-way design whereas the F500S LCR is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
| Driver |
Fyne Audio F500S |
Fyne Audio F500S LCR |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
x 6-inch
|
x -inch
|
F500S features a " Tweeter and x 6" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1700 Hz. On the other hand, the F500S LCR features a " Tweeter and x " Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 250 Hz, 1700 Hz.
Frequency Response
F500S has a frequency range of 45-34k Hz whereas F500S LCR has a frequency range of 56-34k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the F500S can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the F500S LCR's min frequency of 56Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
F500S and F500S LCR have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. F500S sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the F500S LCR's is at 90 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Fyne Audio F500S LCR a more sensitive speaker compared to Fyne Audio F500S, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
F500S features Binding post type posts and F500S LCR has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Fyne Audio F500S's and Fyne Audio F500S LCR's external dimensions. Fyne Audio F500S has external dimensions of 325.1 x 203.2 x 317.5mm (12.8 x 8 x 12.5inch) whereas Fyne Audio F500S LCR has external dimensions of 200.7 x 530.9 x 152.4mm (7.9 x 20.9 x 6inch).
Fyne Audio F500S LCR is 124.4mm shorter and 165.1mm less deeper than Fyne Audio F500S but it is also 327.7mm wider.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Fyne Audio F500S LCR needs about 25% more floor or shelf area. Fyne Audio F500S is 165mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Fyne Audio F500S is 124mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Fyne Audio F500S is approximately 645.2cm2 / 100.0inch2 and base area of the Fyne Audio F500S LCR is approximately 809.1cm2 / 125.4inch2. The F500S requires 20% less surface area than the F500S LCR which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Fyne Audio F500S weighs 8.30kg / 18.3lbs and the Fyne Audio F500S LCR weighs 10.21kg / 22.5lbs. This makes the F500S LCR 23% heavier than the F500S.
Here is a comparison of how F500S and F500S LCR's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
 Woofer Size |
6 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
56 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
645cm2
vs
809cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
200mm
vs
325mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
1299USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Fyne Audio F500S |
Fyne Audio F500S LCR |
| Brand |
Fyne Audio |
Fyne Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45-34k Hz |
56-34k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
|
| Woofer Size |
6" |
" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1700 Hz |
250 Hz, 1700 Hz |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
325.1mm (12.8") |
200.7mm (7.9") |
| Width |
203.2mm (8") |
530.9mm (20.9") |
| Depth |
317.5mm (12.5") |
152.4mm (6") |
| Weight |
8.30kg (18.3lbs) |
10.21kg (22.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
|
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
|
| Labor Warranty |
|
|
These sit in different price classes - Fyne Audio F500S costs roughly 1.6x what Fyne Audio F500S LCR does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Fyne Audio F500S digs deeper - 45Hz against 56Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (89dB vs 90dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Size | depends | Fyne Audio F500S LCR is easier to place; Fyne Audio F500S is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | B | Fyne Audio F500S LCR is cheaper - $799 against $1,299, about 38% less; arguably a different class. |
A Fyne Audio F500S B Fyne Audio F500S LCR
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Fyne Audio F500S is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 63% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Fyne Audio F500S LCR looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the Fyne Audio F500S appeals to you. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 56Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Fyne Audio F500S LCR much easier to justify. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $500 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.