The Cyrus One is a compact size but yet powerful integrated amplifier with exceptional sound quality and one of the better sonic performers in their price range. Other than its sonic prowess, this Cyrus amp is also packed with loads of features, making it even more attractive to its users. Matching the wrong speakers may hurt the sound quality and this is why we need to be a bit cautious.
To find the right speakers to pair with the Cyrus One, we must understand how well the integrated amp performs and its sonic characteristics. Once we have learned more and have gathered enough data, we can then start working on the list of the best speakers which you can choose to partner with your Cyrus One amplifier. This list will be shared with you later, please do continue to read on.
Table of Contents
Sonic Characteristics and Important Specifications of Cyrus One
The Cyrus One really has a small footprint which makes them an excellent desktop amplifier. Furthermore, the power output is high for such a compact size integrated amp, it is rated at 100 Watts per channel into 6 Ohms. This enables the Cyrus One to drive most bookshelf speakers and even floor-standing speakers. There are also Pre outputs that let you connect to external power amplifiers which means you have the option to drive loudspeakers that are power demanding. With just these specs alone, our choice of potential speakers has just been expanded.
It also has a minimalistic front and does help it to fit in easily into most listening rooms without grabbing unwanted attention. The provided remote control gives you the convenience to control the Cyrus One from a distance. There are also other notable features such as a built-in MM Phono stage which will be amazing for turntable users, then there is the aptX compatible Bluetooth for users who like music streaming. Another notable feature will be the premium Class AB headphone amplifier, providing you a high-quality personal music listening experience using your headphones. Your speakers will be driven by Cyrus One’s 3rd generation hybrid Class D amplifier.
The Cyrus One has a balanced overall sound reproduction and packs enough punch to engage its listeners without sounding dull or flat. There is also a nice level of insights where the amp digs out plenty of music details and produces them out cleanly. The highs are crisp and the midrange reproduction is well textured, delivering a natural-sounding music presentation with intricate details. As of now, the Cyrus One is a very neutral-sounding amplifier and there is hardly any hint of coloration which is great if you want a faithful music presentation of your favorite tunes.
It may be a small integrated amplifier but the scale of the sound reproduction is far from modest. The Cyrus One is capable of projecting a large and spacious soundstage, filling the stage with rich musical nuances. The stereo imaging and separations are remarkable as well but can be a tad congested if the music gets too sophisticated or busy. The bass performance is also balanced and textured, with taut delivery, blending in nicely with the rest of the higher frequencies. The Cyrus One low-end reproduction was never once overbearing and also doesn’t sound overly bright even when you crank up the volume to a high level.
We find that when it comes to vinyl record playbacks, the Cyrus One does perform slightly better with a fuller and richer sound quality. The neutral sonic characteristic while leaning towards the bright side of the spectrum does make the Cyrus amplifier suitable to handle most music genres with enough energy to bring out the emotion of the music. When it comes to headphone amplification, it does give off a tad warmer sound quality. Overall, the Cyrus One is a musical-sounding amplifier and is certainly one of the top choices to go for especially if you are planning to set up a desktop sound system. With this information, we are now able to select and list out the best speakers to match with the Cyrus One integrated amp. The speakers’ prices will also be taken into account.
Cyrus One Specifications
- Power Outputs: 100 Watts per channel into 6 Ohms
- Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.1%
- Wireless: Bluetooth (aptX)
- Inputs: 1 MM Phono input, 4 Line Level inputs (incl. AV Bypass)
- Outputs: Pre output, Headphone output
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 85mm x 220mm x 390mm (3.3″ x 8.7″ x 15.4″)
- Weight: 5.6kg (12.3lbs)
Best Speakers to pair with Cyrus One
The Cyrus ONElinear is one of the best speakers to pair with your Cyrus One. The ONElinear is not only made by the same company but it is also from the same series which means both HiFi components share similar sound signatures that should work cohesively together with seamless integration. The sonic characteristics are really similar, with both having very neutral and open music presentations. The lively sonic performance provided by this pairing also gave us quite an engaging music listening experience. The overall bass performance is articulate and agile but does lack a little weight. Still, at this price point, we can’t really complain much.
More Details at Amazon – Cyrus Audio ONE Linear Bookshelf Speakers
The KEF Q350 will be one of the best speakers to match with the Cyrus One. The compact integrated amp has enough muscles to drive the Q350 bookshelf speakers with ease. Like the Cyrus amplifier, the stand-mounters are able to dig out plenty of musical details and produce them out with clarity. The scale of the sound which the KEF Q350 can deliver is similar and matches well with the Cyrus One. Overall, in terms of sonic characteristics, both of these HiFi components share similarities but the Cyrus One is able to add a bit more punch into the overall sound reproduction. We suggest you have a listen first to see if it is not too bright sounding for you.
More Information at Amazon – KEF Q350 (Pair, Walnut)
For a warmer music presentation, the Wharfedale Diamond 225 bookshelf speakers are an exemplary choice for you to go for. The smooth music delivery and pleasing sound quality of the Diamond 225 speakers are also accompanied by plenty of musical nuances, giving you an insightful presentation. The bass performance of the Wharfedale Diamond 225 is also superb especially for a speaker of this size and complements the Cyrus One well. This pair of stand-mounters easy on the ears characteristic will help smoothen the hard edges of the Cyrus One and giving you a more laid-back music listening experience.
More Information at Amazon – Wharfedale Diamond 225 Speakers
The Spendor A1 will be another amazing pair of bookshelf speakers to go for and their sound signature doesn’t add brightness to the overall sound reproduction which is great when pairing them with the Cyrus One amplifier. The musicality of the A1 speakers is exceptional, not to mention, it is refined and has a good handle on the music timing. Furthermore, the Spendor A1 is a sealed speaker design which makes them ideal as desktop speakers, and along with the compact-sized Cyrus One, you got yourself a high-quality desktop sound system. The only qualms we have are that the A1 bookshelf speakers are a bit on the expensive side.
The Q Acoustics 3050 is one of the best floor-standing speakers to match up with your Cyrus One amplifier. It has garnered multiple awards ever since its debut and the Cyrus One has more than enough power to efficiently drive the 3050 floor-standers. The modestly priced floor-standing speakers are musically refined and have the impact to land a satisfying crescendo. More importantly, the Q Acoustics 3050 is well-matched with the Cyrus One integrated amp. The overall sound reproduction of this pairing will be solid and full-bodied, you can feel free to increase volume to high levels without worrying they will sound too harsh.
More Details at Amazon – Q Acoustics 3050 Floor-standing Speaker Pair
The Q Acoustics Concept 20 is a talented and remarkable loudspeaker that has gotten a respectable amount of awards over the years, due to its impressive sonic performance for the price. The smooth and clean-sounding nature of the Concept 20 stand-mounters is a suitable match with the Cyrus One. If you prefer floor-standing speakers with a warm sonic characteristic, you might want to check out the Wharfedale Diamond 12.3. It is a fantastic floor-stander with an expressive midrange which will pair well with the Cyrus One mids performance. The overall pleasing sound quality of the Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 will also help ease off the bright nature of the Cyrus amp allowing you to listen to your favorite tunes in a more relaxed music presentation.
More Details at Amazon – Q Acoustics Concept 20 (Black)
More Details at Amazon – Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 Floor Standing Speaker Pair
To Conclude
The prices of these speakers mentioned here are quite close to the price point of the Cyrus One. If you have a higher budget, you might want to use this list as a reference when looking for more expensive high-end models. You might need to get additional power amplifiers to drive such speakers. No matter which loudspeakers you have chosen, it is best that you have done so after auditioning them and you really like how they sound. If possible you should do a side-by-side speaker comparison using your favorite music/song so that you can immediately tell the difference in sound quality.
