Fell Audio is a new British hi-fi manufacturer entering a competitive landscape with plans to introduce audio components that combine high-end performance with reasonable price tags.
Fell Audio is family family-owned company which is being supported on the sales end by Peter Tyson, a leading British hi-fi retailer with five decades of experience. This alliance is designed to identify product and price gaps that Fell Audio can take advantage of in their product development.
Why Fell Audio?
Fell Audio’s Managing Director Matthew Tyson said, “After working in audio all my life, it became very apparent that great-sounding hi-fi at affordable prices is no longer being made here in the UK. I wanted to change that and be able to offer people something British built that they can start their hi-fi journey with.”
Project and design lead Luke Tyson added: “Our family has always taken pride in offering great products with excellent service. We’re especially proud to support some of the UK’s best British hi-fi brands and their rich heritage. But lately, it feels like the entry-level market is losing what made British hi-fi special: good design, unique character, great sound and built in the UK.
“So Fell Audio really is our passion project. We wanted to create something we, and our customers, would genuinely want to own without spending thousands—something we can truly be proud of.”
Made in Britain
Instead of using overseas production, Fell Audio products are being made in Britain. Fell sees this as a competitive advantage by maintaining quality, sustainability, and repairability.
Fell Audio’s products are designed to be visually pleasing and easy to use in addition to providing practical features and great performance. Their unique retro-modern aesthetic is inspired by vintage hi-fi of the 1970s, but with modern touches, clean lines and captive-touch front panels.
The initial product offers consist of the Fell Amp (£599) and Fell Disc (£499). The next forthcoming product is expected to be the Fell Stream (details and price forthcoming).
Fell Amp
The Fell Amp is an integrated amplifier that serves as the foundation of Fell Audio’s product line. The Amp is packed with features for both newcomers and seasoned audiophiles who value the myriad benefits of British manufacturing.
The Fell Amp offers a level of performance, features, and build quality usually found in higher-priced products.
With Class D amplification supporting 89 watts of output, the Fell Amp can drive almost any set of speakers. Supporting features a built-in MM phono stage for seamless plug-and-play turntable connectivity, a premium ESS Sabre DAC with two digital inputs for enhanced sound from connected devices, and aptX HD Bluetooth for streaming.
Specifications
| Product | Fell Audio Amp |
| Price | £599 |
| Product Type | 2-Channel Integrated Amplifier |
| Power Output | 89 watts per channel (8 ohms) 79 watts per channel (4 ohms) |
| THD at 80% v.max 1 kHz | 0.07% |
| Phono Input | MM |
| Phono Input Sensitivity | 2 mV |
| Phone Input Impedance/capacitance | 47 kOhms / 100 pf |
| Line Inputs | 3x Stereo RCA |
| Line Input Impedance | 100 kOhms |
| Line Input Sensitivity | 700 mV |
| Frequency Response | 10 Hz-20 kHz |
| Digital Inputs | 1x coaxial 1x optical |
| DAC | ESS Sabre 9018K2M |
| Digital Input Sensitivity | 2 mV |
| Digital Input Impedance/capacitance | 47 kOhms / 100 pf |
| Line Outputs | 1 x Pre Out, 2 x Sub Out |
| Speaker Connections | 5-way Binding Posts |
| Headphone Output | ¼-inch/6.35 mm |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Mains voltage | 220 V-240 V AC |
| Power consumption @ max output | 87 watts |
| Dimensions (WxDxH – including feet) | 440 x 300 x 75 mm (17.3 x 12 x 2.95 inches) |
| Net Weight | 6 kg (13 lbs 4 oz) |
| What’s in the Box | The Fell Amp Power cable Remote control (w/ 2 x AAA batteries) Bluetooth antenna Quick start guide |
Fell Disc
The Fell Disc is a CD player that supports CD, CD-R, and CD-RW (no SACD) and incorporates a slot load mechanism instead of a tray.
For digital-to-analog conversion, the Disc incorporates an ESS ES9018K2M DAC for 16-bit to 24-bit audio with sample rates of up to 96kHz.
For connecting to amplifiers, receivers, or powered speakers, the Disc provides analog stereo RCA, digital optical, and coaxial outputs.
For ease of use, the Disc provides a capacitive touch control and a compact remote control.
Specifications
| Product | Fell Audio Disc |
| Price | £499 |
| Product Type | CD Player |
| Laser | 3-beam |
| Wavelength | 790 nm |
| Disc Compatibility | CD, CD-R, and CD-RW |
| DAC | ESS Sabre 9018K2M |
| SNR | 98 dB |
| THD @ 1 kHz | 0.005 % |
| Output Impedance | 47 Ohms |
| Frequency Response | 10 Hz-20 kHz |
| Output level (0dB) | 2.3 V RMS |
| Mains Voltage | 220 V-240 V AC |
| Power consumption | 7.5 watts |
| Dimensions (WxDxH – inc feet) | 440 x 300 x 75 mm (17.3 x 12 x 2.95 inches) |
| Net Weight | 4.6 kg (10.1 lbs) |
| What’s in the Box | The Fell Disc CD Player Power cable Remote control (w/ 2 x AAA batteries) Analog Interconnects Quick start guide |
The Bottom Line
Can a new British hi-fi brand attract new buyers in today’s market? Although their pricing is low, it’s not the lowest in each product category, so they’ll need to prove themselves rather quickly among reviewers and customers.
Not only will Fell be instantly competing with Cambridge Audio and Arcam in the UK, but also upstart WiiM which has burst into the market with very popular budget priced streamers and amps.
On the plus side, their styling is refreshingly different and we applaud their simple product naming.
Pricing & Availability
Fell Audio products are initially only available in the UK at Peter Tyson online/in-store and fellaudio.co.uk. European availability is expected in 2025, but there is no word on U.S. availability. However, a five-year warranty and a long repair window are being offered to its first customers.
Related Reading:
Steven O'Farrell
November 24, 2024 at 2:35 am
The cd player specs show the weight to be 4.6 kg (20 lbs 3 oz). This is an obvious error.
Brian Mitchell
November 24, 2024 at 4:30 am
Good catch Steven. Fixed. 4.6 kg (10.1 lbs).