Can one speaker really replace a hi-fi system? We test five premium models

Five premium speaker models – Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance, Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition, Naim Mu-so 2nd Generation, Sonus Faber Omnia, and Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB | Roland Garros – were put to the test in a single, eclectic playlist. The objective was not only to identify the best speaker but also to understand how each shapes both the music and the room it inhabits.

Bang & Olufsen's Beosound Balance embodies the brand's approach to making electronics disappear into a room. Its timber base and textile-wrapped body blend seamlessly with various interiors. The sound is unhurried and evenly distributed, making it ideal for rooms where music is part of the atmosphere. The Balance excels in jazz, with a burnished saxophone and gracefully fading cymbals.

Pop music also fares well, with polished vocals and rich bass. For rock, the Balance adds scale and warmth, transforming songs like "November Rain" and "Somebody to Love" into harmonious blends.

Bowers & Wilkins' Zeppelin Pro Edition showcases precision imaging and articulation. Its elongated silhouette and titanium-dome tweeters bring real sparkle to the top end, while its narrow sweet spot requires the listener to sit directly in front. The Zeppelin delivers crisp snare hits and beautifully resolved cymbal decay, with vocals placed with near-surgical precision.

It suits open-plan living rooms and anyone who values imaging and articulation. However, large orchestral passages and bass-heavy productions may expose its cabinet limitations.

Naim's Mu-so 2nd Generation emphasizes precision and black silence. Its design invites space for the speaker, and its disciplined bass reaches low frequencies that most one-box systems don't attempt. The Mu-so's Moonlight Sonata emerges from an unusually black silence, with each note left to hang before fading. Contemporary and electronic material suit it best, with dense textures preserved and ethereal vocals feeling tangible.

Sonus Faber's Omnia is a futuristic, spherical design that asks the room to make space for it. Its discipline shines with rock tracks like "November Rain," transforming the song into an arena-sized experience. However, dense passages may feel congested at higher volumes, making it a better fit for spacious rooms like loft conversions.

Devialet's Phantom Ultimate 108dB | Roland Garros requires a big room to match its personality. Its polished concrete or exposed brick setting complements its low-end prowess, with rock tracks like "November Rain" taking on monumental proportions. While it can feel congested in smaller spaces, the Phantom delivers a powerful and dynamic listening experience for those who enjoy the streaming era.