If you’ve been to the Bristol Hi-Fi Show over the last few years, you’ve probably seen (and heard) Fyne Audio. It’s safe to say they’ve been building a bit of a following. And now they’ve now started appearing in Audio T stores, which is great news for anyone who’s been curious but not had a chance to properly sit down and listen.

We’ve recently had some time with the F501E floorstanders here in Swindon, and for the money, they’re doing a lot right…

A brief history:

Fyne Audio may have launched in 2017, but its roots run deep—right back to one of the most influential names in loudspeaker design: Tannoy.

Founded in 1926, long before “hi-fi” was even a term, Tannoy became synonymous with public address systems—so much so that the name itself entered everyday language. But beyond PA, their real legacy lies in innovation.

In 1940, Tannoy introduced the Dual Concentric driver, a design that would go on to define studio monitoring for decades thanks to its coherence and imaging.

Fast forward to 2015, when Tannoy changed hands and manufacturing direction shifted. Rather than follow that path, a group of key engineers and designers chose to start fresh. The result was Fyne Audio—named after Loch Fyne in Scotland.

Free from legacy constraints but armed with serious experience, they set out to refine and rethink loudspeaker design. Not reinventing the wheel—but making it roll better.

Key Technologies

Isoflare

At the heart of many Fyne designs is the IsoFlare driver. In simple terms, it places the tweeter in the centre of the mid/bass cone, so sound radiates from a single point.

Why does that matter?
Because your ears don’t have to “piece together” different frequencies arriving from different places. The result is more natural imaging, better focus, and a soundstage that holds together even when you’re not sat dead centre.

BassTrax: Flexible Placement, Cleaner Bass

Bass can be tricky—especially in real rooms. Fyne tackles this with their downward-firing BassTrax system.

Basstrax. showing air dispersion characteristics

Instead of firing bass out the back or front, it’s directed downwards and dispersed evenly. The twin-cavity design also helps reduce unwanted turbulence and standing waves.

In real-world terms?

Less port noise
Tighter bass
Far less fuss about where you place them

They’re noticeably more forgiving than most floorstanders at this price.

FyneFlute: Small Detail, Big Difference

Around the edge of the driver cone, Fyne uses a variable geometry surround they call FyneFlute.

It’s not just for show—it helps control unwanted resonances and reduces colouration. That means what you hear is cleaner, more accurate, and less “boxy”.

F501E bass unit, showing fyneflute driver surround

The F501E

Design & Build

The F501E is a 2.5-way floorstanding speaker with a clean, understated look. Available in Black Ash finish.

Key technologies:

IsoFlare point-source driver (tweeter sits in the mid driver)
BassTrax downward-firing port for easier room placement
Solid, substantial MDF cabinets.

How Do They Sound?

Balanced, Engaging, and Easy to Enjoy

The first thing that stands out is how well-balanced these speakers are. They don’t lean overly warm or artificially bright—they just sound right.

The bass is punchy and controlled, with more depth than you might expect at this level. Crucially, it avoids that bloated, one-note character that can creep in with budget floorstanders.

Midrange: Where the Magic Happens

Vocals come through clearly and naturally, with a sense of space around them. Instruments are easy to pick apart, even in busier tracks.

It’s the kind of presentation that lets you relax into the music rather than analyse it—always a good sign.

Treble: Detail Without Fatigue

There’s plenty of detail up top, but it’s delivered smoothly. No harsh edges, no forced brightness—just a clean, extended treble that holds together over longer listening sessions.

Soundstage & Imaging: A Real Strength

This is where the F501E really punches above its weight.

Thanks to that IsoFlare driver, you get a wide, room-filling presentation with precise placement of instruments. It doesn’t collapse if you move off-centre either, which makes them far more usable in everyday living spaces.

Final Thoughts: Serious Value Done Right

At under £1,000, the F501E makes a very strong case for itself.

You’re getting:

A cohesive, immersive soundstage
Tight, controlled bass
Flexible placement in real rooms
A speaker that works just as well for films as it does for music

No gimmicks. Just well-executed engineering and a sound that’s easy to live with.

Verdict

The Fyne Audio F501E is one of the easiest recommendations in this price range right now. If you’re looking for a floorstander that delivers proper scale without demanding a perfect room or system, this should be high on your list.

Thanks for reading — we look forward to welcoming you in store soon.

Jon and Andy - Audio T Swindon

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to contact us.

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