Two Takes on the Amphion Standmount
Amphion has built a reputation on a consistent set of ideas, and both the Argon 1 and the Argon 3X carry them forward. Each is a two way standmount loudspeaker built around a 1 inch titanium dome tweeter seated in Amphion's 5th generation U/D/D (Uniformly Directive Diffusion) waveguide, and both share a 1,600 Hz crossover frequency, an 8 ohm nominal impedance, and the same finish palette of Standard White, Full White, Black, and Walnut. The waveguide is central to the house sound, aiming for controlled, even dispersion so the speaker behaves predictably in real rooms.
Specifications compared
| Specification | Argon 1 | Argon 3X |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Two way, vented (bass reflex) standmount loudspeaker | Two way, passive radiator standmount loudspeaker |
| Tweeter | 1 inch (25.4 mm) titanium dome tweeter in Amphion's 5th generation U/D/D (Uniformly Directive Diffusion) waveguide | 1 inch titanium dome tweeter (first introduced in the Krypton3X) in Amphion's 5th generation U/D/D (Uniformly Directive Diffusion) waveguide |
| Woofer | One 5.25 inch aluminum cone woofer | One 6.5 inch aluminum woofer |
| Frequency Response | 45 to 25,000 Hz (-6 dB) | 38 to 55,000 Hz (-6 dB) |
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 87 dB |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Recommended Amplifier Power | 25 to 150 watts | 50 to 250 watts |
| Crossover Frequency | 1,600 Hz | 1,600 Hz |
| Enclosure | Two way, vented (rear reflex port) | Two way, passive radiator (no vented port) |
| Dimensions | 316 x 160 x 265 mm (12.44 x 6.3 x 10.43 inches); grille adds 8 mm to depth | 380 x 190 x 305 mm (14.96 x 7.5 x 12 inches); grille adds 10 mm, connectors add 39 mm to depth |
| Weight | 7 kg (15.4 lbs) each | 10 kg (22 lbs) each |
| Finishes | Standard White, Full White, Black, Walnut | Standard White, Full White, Black, Walnut |
Where they differ is in scale, loading, and reach. The Argon 1 is a compact vented (bass reflex) design, while the Argon 3X is a larger passive radiator design with a bigger woofer and wider frequency response. This guide walks through where each one fits so you can match the right Amphion to your room and system.
The Models Compared
Amphion Argon 1
The Argon 1 is the compact entry point here, a two way vented (rear reflex port) standmount with a 5.25 inch aluminum cone woofer paired to the U/D/D tweeter. It measures 316 x 160 x 265 mm (12.44 x 6.3 x 10.43 inches) and weighs 7 kg (15.4 lbs) each, with a frequency response of 45 to 25,000 Hz (-6 dB), a sensitivity of 86 dB, and a recommended amplifier power of 25 to 150 watts. It is the smallest, lightest, and easiest to place of the two, well suited to nearfield and smaller spaces.
Amphion Argon 3X
The Argon 3X steps up in every physical dimension, a two way passive radiator standmount (no vented port) with a larger 6.5 inch aluminum woofer and a 1 inch titanium dome tweeter first introduced in the Krypton3X, again loaded in the U/D/D waveguide. It measures 380 x 190 x 305 mm (14.96 x 7.5 x 12 inches) and weighs 10 kg (22 lbs) each, with a wider frequency response of 38 to 55,000 Hz (-6 dB), a sensitivity of 87 dB, and a recommended amplifier power of 50 to 250 watts. It is the more substantial, deeper reaching speaker of the pair.
Which Should You Buy by Scenario
I have a small room or plan to listen nearfield
Go with the Argon 1, whose smaller footprint of 316 x 160 x 265 mm and 7 kg weight make it easy to position on stands or a desk in a compact space. Its 45 to 25,000 Hz (-6 dB) response is plenty for close listening where a large woofer can overload a small room.
I want the most bass extension and headroom
Choose the Argon 3X, which reaches lower with its 38 Hz low end and higher with its 55,000 Hz upper limit (-6 dB), driven by the larger 6.5 inch woofer and passive radiator loading. It is the fuller sounding of the two when the room allows for it.
My amplifier is modest in power
The Argon 1 is the friendlier match, with a recommended amplifier power range starting at 25 watts (up to 150 watts) and 86 dB sensitivity, so it works with lower powered amplification. The Argon 3X asks for 50 to 250 watts, which points toward a more capable amplifier.
I want to drive them hard in a larger space
The Argon 3X is built for it, with a recommended amplifier power ceiling of 250 watts, 87 dB sensitivity, and the deeper reaching passive radiator design to fill a bigger room. Its added mass at 10 kg each also reflects the more substantial enclosure.
Placement flexibility matters most to me
Both are standmounts, but note the loading difference: the Argon 1 uses a rear reflex port, so it appreciates some breathing room behind it, while the Argon 3X uses a passive radiator with no vented port. Factor in the Argon 3X connectors that add 39 mm to depth when planning clearance near a wall.
A Note on Matching and the Rest of the System
Both models present an 8 ohm nominal impedance, which is an accommodating load for most amplifiers. The Argon 1 (86 dB, 25 to 150 watts) can be paired with lower powered integrated amplifiers, while the Argon 3X (87 dB, 50 to 250 watts) rewards a beefier amplifier and a bit more room to work. For placement, remember the Argon 1's rear reflex port and the Argon 3X's rear connectors that add 39 mm to depth, and give each speaker solid stands to get the tweeter near ear height.
Come Listen at AEA
The best way to choose between the Argon 1 and the Argon 3X is to hear them in person, so we invite you to visit the All Elite Audio showroom in Timonium, Maryland. Demo units rotate, so reach out before you come to confirm what is currently set up for audition.