Philips Fidelio FA3 Review: Too Good to Be True?

Explore the surprising features and sound quality of the Philips Fidelio FA3 wireless speakers in this detailed review.

A Quick Look at Philips Fidelio FA3

I have to admit, it’s not every day I read audio specs and think, “There’s no way that’s real.” But scanning through the Philips Fidelio FA3 wireless speakers details, I was genuinely blown away.

The Fidelio FA3 is an active wireless speaker system, with speakers capable of connecting via cable or wirelessly. It supports high-resolution Bluetooth codecs, boasts a wealth of physical inputs, is controlled through a handy app, compatible with Auracast technology for multi-channel setups, and crafted using recycled materials. And all of this comes at just $399. Seriously?

Unboxing the system, the price tag still feels like a typo when compared to most rivals. The speakers are well-built, look sleek, and feel satisfying to hold. Plus, a remote control comes alongside the app for added convenience. Even the protective grills attach magnetically to the glossy cabinets — a thoughtful touch.

Sure, the wedge-shaped design, which angles the drivers slightly upwards rather than straight ahead, might take some getting used to, but beyond that, it seems like the FA3 is packed with perks.

Philips Fidelio FA3 wireless speakers in their glossy black finish

Price and Launch Details

• Price: $399
• Released: January 2024
• First announced: September 2023

The Philips Fidelio FA3 wireless active speakers are now available. Their price slot them alongside popular mono-bloc speakers like the JBL Authentics 200 and just a bit cheaper than the Sonos Era 300. But remember, this is a full stereo pair — typically, stereo speakers in this price range are either passive or lack such rich features.

The rear panel connectivity options on the Fidelio FA3 main speaker

Philips Fidelio FA3: Core Features

• Bluetooth 5.4 LE Audio supporting LC3 and LDAC codecs
• Auracast support for linking multiple audio systems
• 24-bit/96kHz playback via HDMI ARC and optical input

The feature set of the Fidelio FA3 would feel right at home in a product double the price. Seeing how much Philips packed into this surprisingly affordable set inspires some serious respect.

Each speaker uses a two-way design: a 25mm titanium dome tweeter sits above a 127mm glass-fiber mid/woofer. A small bass reflex port rests on the back panel. Philips claims an impressive frequency range of 40 Hz to 40 kHz — if true, that’s remarkable for such compact speakers.

Being active speakers, both require power outlets. One acts as the “master,” the other as “slave.” The slave speaker’s back panel has power input, bass reflex, and a coaxial input for wired linking to the partner speaker.

The master speaker is loaded with ports: USB-C (for playback and servicing), digital optical input, HDMI ARC port, and analog stereo RCA inputs.

Bluetooth pairs to the master speaker, supporting SBC, AAC, LC3, and LDAC codecs on Bluetooth 5.4 LE Audio. Auracast tech means you can easily create multi-channel audio setups with other compatible devices.

The speakers can link wirelessly at 2.4 GHz or via cable. Regardless of connection, the built-in DAC operates natively at 24-bit/96kHz. Higher-res signals arriving via HDMI ARC, optical, or USB-C are downsampled to that level.

True wireless stereo pairing with real Hi-Res sound? That’s quite a rarity, especially here. Bluetooth streams over LDAC hit a max bitrate of 990 kbps.

Powered by 50W Class D amplifiers per channel, the speakers boast less than 1% total harmonic distortion (THD).

Feature Rating: 5/5

Close-up view of the speakers’ drivers and connectivity

Sound Quality: Confident but Bass-Heavy

• Straightforward, expansive sound presentation
• Bass comes off rough and unwieldy
• Loud and clear even at low volumes

If you crave bold, assertive sound with a big presence, the Philips Fidelio FA3 delivers generously.

Whether it’s a raw garage demo like The Cure’s Boys Don’t Cry or Floating Points’ lush Nuits Sonores, the FA3 grabs the music by the scruff and presents it unabashedly.

The overall sound signature spells confidence. The speakers carve a broad, well-defined soundstage to unfold the musical action. You get the feeling Philips relishes dynamic shifts and is more than capable of injecting energy that makes the sound feel alive and uplifting.

The tweeter shines, producing bright, clear, and detailed highs with enough density to balance their sharpness. There’s nuance aplenty in the treble, and impressively, even at low volumes, the FA3 sound loud without tipping into harshness. Crank them up, and they maintain clarity without brittle “glassiness.”

Transitioning to the larger mid/woofer is smooth, and mids come through with equal detail and tonal nuance. Vocals sound rich and textured, highlighting both character and technique.

But here’s the catch: the bass driver seems to be playing a different game. The low end is exaggerated and intrusive, lacking the finesse and flexibility present in the upper frequencies.

This obsession with “power” leaves the bass sounding rough and inflated, throwing off the overall sound balance by spotlighting the lows at the expense of everything else.

This issue becomes especially clear when listening to speech, particularly male voices. As the vocal register dips into low mids and below, the “boomy” effect is too pronounced, making the sound unnatural and diminishing the FA3’s strengths elsewhere.

You can dial back bass in the app to tame it somewhat, but it never fully resolves the problem, and the effect is more noticeable at lower volumes than higher.

Despite this odd tonal shape, the speakers manage to keep rhythms convincing and tempos steady, even if the bass slows things down a bit.

Sound Quality Rating: 3.5/5

Philips Fidelio FA3 delivering detailed mid and treble performance

Design: Stylish but Slightly Odd

• Dimensions per speaker: 170 x 303 x 211 mm (WxHxD)
• Weight: 3.4 kg each
• Cabinets made with 45% recycled materials

Thinking of the FA3 as a desktop audio setup? Give it a second thought. With their size, you’ll need a fairly large, uncluttered surface — better suited for stands or deep shelves.

But that’s not all. The wedge-shaped cabinets come with built-in angled feet, tilting the front panel so the drivers point slightly upward. This is fine if your surface is low. Put them on stands or shelves of regular height, though, and the speakers aim above your ears — unless you’re listening while standing.

The build quality is top-notch, with smooth curves and glossy black plastic that gleams but also attracts fingerprints. Magnetic grills come included, and the plastic housing contains 45% recycled ABS.

Design Rating: 4/5

Side angle showing the wedge-shaped design of the Fidelio FA3

Ease of Use and Setup

• Included remote control
• Philips Entertainment app control
• Physical buttons on master speaker

Credit where it’s due: Philips packed plenty of control options into the Fidelio FA3, and they all work well.

The included remote feels basic — a small, hard plastic slab without backlighting. It has just a handful of buttons switching between inputs like optical, HDMI ARC, USB-C, analog, Bluetooth, and Auracast. Still, it’s reliable and lets you adjust volume, pause, skip tracks, toggle EQ presets, and tweak bass and treble — super handy.

On the master speaker’s rear panel, you also get volume control, wireless pairing button, input selector, and power switch.

For full control, Philips’ free Entertainment app (iOS and Android) is the way to go. It manages playback, offers six EQ presets (plus a custom one with bass and treble sliders), lets you assign left/right speaker roles, and choose signal sources.

The app also includes ambient soundscapes (ranging from “ancient wind” to “bubbles” and “sonar”) — perfect for when you miss your Brian Eno record collection. It mirrors remote functions but smartly provides dedicated buttons for each input and firmware update checks.

Ease of Use Rating: 4.5/5

Remote control and app interface for the Philips Fidelio FA3

Value for Money

• Big, powerful sound for the price
• Excellent features and app experience
• Bass issues lower overall value

Judging by specs and size alone, the Philips Fidelio FA3 offers solid bang for your buck — you get a heap of glossy black plastic and commendable features.

The app is a definite plus — not every brand nails that piece. The remote, however, could be more user-friendly.

Still, that booming, unbalanced bass is a tough pill to swallow at this price.

Value Rating: 3/5

Philips Fidelio FA3 pair shown in a modern living room setup

Should You Buy the Philips Fidelio FA3?

Alternatives to Philips Fidelio FA3

If you want similar wireless stereo speakers with a more balanced sound, consider:

• Ruark MR1 Mk2: Our current favorite in this segment. Less feature-rich but sounds more musical and balanced.
• Q Acoustics M20 HD: Another excellent active system with Hi-Res support and a more even, detailed sound.
• KEF LSX II LT: A pricier choice, but offers a more refined and precise sound in a compact form.

How I Tested Philips Fidelio FA3

Set-up for testing the Philips Fidelio FA3 with a variety of sources

I linked the speakers both wired and wirelessly. Sources included an iPhone 14 Pro smartphone and FiiO M15S digital audio player via Bluetooth, Rega Apollo CD player through optical, MacBook Pro laptop via USB-C, and a Philips OLED806 TV through HDMI ARC.

They were placed on the same stand as the TV, briefly on my desk (which felt a bit cramped), and on dedicated speaker stands.

Music came from Qobuz and Tidal streaming, my CD collection, plus content from a Panasonic Blu-ray player and Sony PlayStation 5 gaming console connected to the TV.

The overall sound signature spells confidence. The speakers carve a broad, well-defined soundstage to unfold the musical action.

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FAQ

• What wireless codecs does the Philips Fidelio FA3 support?
  It supports Bluetooth 5.4 LE Audio with SBC, AAC, LC3, and LDAC codecs.
• Can the speakers be used without the app?
  Yes, they come with a remote and physical buttons for basic control, but the app gives full control and customization.
• Are the Fidelio FA3 truly wireless stereo speakers?
  Absolutely, they can connect without wires between left and right channels using 2.4 GHz wireless.
• Is the bass adjustable?
  Yes, the app allows adjusting bass levels, but the bass remains somewhat overpowering.
• Are these speakers suitable for desktop use?
  Due to their size and angled design, they’re better on stands or shelves rather than cramped desks.