A Respected Audio Brand Just Jumped on One of the Hottest Hi-Fi Trends

It promises to make a pretty badass desktop speaker system, too.

Curved widescreen monitor displaying music app, flanked by white Tangent speakers, with white keyboard and mouse on desk.

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Published 2 hours ago

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Wireless active speaker systems are some of the most popular components in all of hi-fi today. It’s because they deliver great stereo sound, are super easy to set up, and are incredibly versatile; they can be used as speakers for your TV, turntable or desktop.

Today, most audio manufacturers sell at least one wireless active speaker system. The most established brands in the category are KEF, Klipsch, JBL, Edifier and Audioengine. And these systems can vary greatly in size and price.

The newest entry into the wireless active speaker category is from Tangent, a Danish audio manufacturer known for its passive speakers, hi-fi electronics, and vintage-style radios.

Last year, Tangent overhauled and updated its popular Spectrum range of passive loudspeakers. Each model in the new generation in the Spectrum II range featured a sleeker look and upgraded acoustics.

Now the company has added a wireless active speaker system to this Spectrum II range, too.

Tangent Spectrum II X5 Active BT

Wall-mounted flat-screen TV above a two-tone black and white marble media console with two white speakers and a vase with flowers. — Tangent’s Spectrum II X5 Active BT is an active version of the company’s recently released passive bookshelf speakers.

Tangent’s Spectrum II X5 Active BT is a wireless active speaker system that, as its name suggests, takes the range’s passive bookshelf speakers, the Spectrum II X5, and adds built-in amplification, numerous inputs and Bluetooth streaming capabilities.

The 100-watt system has a wide range of physical connections and Bluetooth streaming capabilities.

Tangent Audio

Like its passive siblings, each speaker features a two-way bass-reflex design that pairs a 5-inch bass/midrange driver with a 1-inch dome tweeter. But each of these new loudspeakers is powered by its own 50-watt Class D amplifier (both housed in the primary speaker).

According to the brand, the system “delivers a full, precise and balanced sound that works equally well for music and movies.”

Pair of white Tangent Spectrum II X5 active Bluetooth speakers showing rear panels with ports, controls, and bass reflex ports. — All the inputs and amplification is housed in the primary speaker.

Speakers for turntable, TV or desktop

Like many of today’s wireless active speakers, Tangent integrated the Spectrum II X5 Active BT with all the necessary inputs to make them incredibly versatile.

They feature a built-in phono preamplifier (compatible with MM cartridges), so you can hook up a turntable. And the HDMI ARC input allows them to double as TV speakers. They also have a USB-C audio input, so you can use them as desktop speakers.

White desktop speakers flanking a slim monitor with a white keyboard and mouse on a black desk with metal legs. — Thanks to USB-C input, the speaker can easily be used as desktop speakers.

And if you want to use the speakers as a strictly wireless system, you can do that too. They’re integrated with Bluetooth 5.3 with support for aptX HD to stream music directly to your smartphone.

Note: These speakers do not support Wi-Fi streaming (so no AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect or Google Cast).

Availability and pricing

Tangent’s new active speaker system, the Spectrum II X5 Active BT, is available in two satin finishes: black or white.

It’s available now abroad for €549 (roughly $630). At the time of writing, US availability information has not yet been released.

Pair of black Tangent bookshelf speakers with round grilles and tweeters on a white background.

Tangent Spectrum II X5 BT

Shop Now at Tangent Audio

About the Author: Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol’s editorial team since 2014. With a passion for consumer tech and hi-fi, he tracks everything from headphones and turntables to smartphones and wearables. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.

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