Website author headshot
Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.

What reviewers think

Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.

What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.

Manufacturer details

  • Response: 16 Hz to 100 kHz (+/- 0.5 dB anechoic, +/- 1 dB in room response typical)
  • In room low frequency response: (-1.5 dB @ 16Hz, -3 dB @ 13Hz typical, dependent upon room volume)
  • Efficiency: 93.5 dB (1 watt @ 1 meter)
  • Harmonic distortion: 0.30 % throughout the bandwidth at rated efficiency
  • Inter-driver phase deviation: 3 degrees within all cross bands
  • Noise floor: 68 dB from signal level (maximum noise level), 76dB Typical
  • Group delay distortion: <3 milliseconds 100 Hz to 16 Hz. <1 millisecond 100 Hz to 20 KHz
  • Impedance: 6 ohms nominal (4 ohms minimum @ 80 Hz)
  • Recommended amplifier power: 15 to 500 Watts
  • Power: 4.5 Kilowatts per channel
  • Driver Complement (Per Channel): 4 x 15" low Q high force factor sub-woofers, 1 x 11" ceramic/honeycomb underhung voice-coil midbass, 1 x 4.5" ceramic underhung voice-coil midrange, 1 x .78" diamond underhung voice-coil tweeter
  • Dimensions: Height: 87" (221 cm), Width: 29" (74 cm), Depth: 32" (82 cm)
  • Weight: 827 lbs per channel (375 kilos), 1653 lbs total (750 Kilos)
  • Shipping weight: 2002 lbs (908 kilos)
TESSERACT Signature represents the culmination of more than 30 years of research into the subtleties of musical waveforms and the psychoacoustic perception of sounds in space. Our study of physical forms and how they react with ambient musical information has led us to two essential innovative results. First, it is possible to make a large full range system fully disappear sonically. Second, it is possible to create 3-dimensional images within a soundstage using conventional stereo recordings.
TESSERACT Signature represents the culmination of more than 30 years, of research into the subtleties of musical waveforms and the psychoacoustic perception of sounds in space. Our study of physical forms and how they react with ambient musical information has led us to two essential innovative results. First, it is possible to make a large full range system fully disappear sonically. Second, it is possible to create 3-dimensional images within a soundstage using conventional stereo recordings.

Our Stealth Technology, the redirecting and diffusion of ambient room energy, makes the disappearing act possible. The use of tensor field mathematics, assigning a value and direction to expanding harmonic waves, along with prodigious 'number crunching', has given us the ability to make reliable predictions regarding which physical forms will best disappear in space. Making an array which is over 7 feet tall disappear is quite a feat of practical mathematical prediction and actual form fabrication

Sonic Holography is accomplished through meticulousness in recovery and preservation of low level signal information which is encoded into any well made recording. Whenever a microphone is open it is collecting phase and spatial information which needs to be fully decoded by a playback system. This fragile information may be destroyed at many stages of the recording/playback process. Our go...
Manufacturer Site

Brand highlights

Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:

PM3:  

  • Position: A budget-friendly integrated amplifier designed for simple setups and small rooms.  
  • Description: Offers straightforward circuitry that delivers clear sound for users on a tighter budget, making it ideal for those with basic functionality needs. Compared to the PM4 and the higher-end Signature series, it has fewer advanced features and connectivity options.

PM4:  

  • Position: A mid-tier integrated amplifier that balances improved performance with affordability.  
  • Description: Incorporates refined circuitry and added controls that provide cleaner and more stable audio. When compared to the entry-level PM3 and the more advanced Signature series, it strikes a middle ground in build quality and feature set.

Tesseract:  

  • Position: A high-end integrated amplifier positioned in the Signature series for discerning listeners.  
  • Description: Introduces design elements in both digital and analog processing that enhance sound detail and clarity, suited for moderate to larger rooms. Compared to the Precision series and other Signature models, it offers improved performance while maintaining a more accessible premium price range.

ISIS:  

  • Position: A premium integrated amplifier in the Signature series aimed at achieving advanced performance.  
  • Description: Features circuit design and processing that provide a wider soundstage and smoother midrange. Relative to Tesseract and Saga, it elevates sound quality without reaching the flagship price.

Saga:  

  • Position: A flagship integrated amplifier in the Signature series intended for top-tier audio performance.  
  • Description: Uses advanced digital processing and high-precision analog circuitry that markedly improve sound precision and connectivity, making it suitable for larger rooms and sophisticated setups. In comparison to the PM3, PM4, Tesseract, and ISIS, it stands out with its advanced features.
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Avg. Product Price
$100,001+
Used For Sale
19
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
291
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
10
Founding Year
1988

Our take on the brand

Avalon Acoustics is distinguished by its unique faceted cabinet designs that minimize diffraction and create an immersive, holographic soundstage. Their speakers feature meticulous hand-crafted construction and use proprietary materials like corduroy fabric inside the cabinets for superior acoustic damping.

Look inside the brand

Brand Page

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

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What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

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From our interview with
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Brand Page

What if you spend more?

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What competes at this price?

Linn
360
110180
/
Released
2023
360 is audibly invisible. It produces a performance with unprecedented clarity and realism, that's entirely absent of sonic colouration. Incorporating innovative drive unit and amplifier technologies, 360 turns out our lowest ever levels of audible distortion. The honed curves of its cabinet are partnered with meticulously matched drive units to deliver the cleanest possible dispersion characteristics.
Check Amazon
Linn is a hifi brand known for its modular designs, particularly the Sondek LP12 turntable where users can upgrade virtually every component over time to maintain performance across decades. The brand stands out for developing its own technologies in-house, including the Organik DAC with FPGA processing and Space Optimisation, which models room acoustics without needing microphone measurements.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Excellent imaging, providing a strong stereo image for multiple listeners due to wide dispersion and Space Optimisation+
  • Flexible and capable of playing all kinds of music, getting out of the music's way, and suitable for both large and smaller rooms
  • Dynamic, detailed, and can play at a wide range of volume levels, from quiet listening to near PA levels
  • Features a new driver array, including a Beryllium dome tweeter, thin-ply woven carbon fiber midrange (used on NASA's Mars Rover), and aluminum-magnesium alloy bass units
  • Incorporates new amplifier technologies—'Power DAC' for the lower bass and 'Adaptive Bias Control' for the mid and treble—reducing distortion

Product Considerations

  • The midrange dome is exposed, which might be a concern with children
  • Owners of previous Linn systems may find the price difficult to accept
  • Some audiophiles may prefer Linn to trawl its past rather than building its future, and they will want an Isobarik
  • Some audiophiles may not be able to see past the LP12

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The 360 offers significantly improved imaging and soundstaging compared to the Klimax 350

Takeaway: The Linn 360 is a high-end loudspeaker that provides excellent sound quality and flexibility, making it a great choice for enjoying music with friends or for personal listening sessions. Its innovative design and technology deliver a detailed and immersive audio experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Linn is a hifi brand known for its modular designs, particularly the Sondek LP12 turntable where users can upgrade virtually every component over time to maintain performance across decades. The brand stands out for developing its own technologies in-house, including the Organik DAC with FPGA processing and Space Optimisation, which models room acoustics without needing microphone measurements.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Aries Cerat
Aurora
105000
/
Released
2022
The Aurora is our newest speaker design, carrying some trickle down technology from our top model the Contendo, as well as some newly developed technologies
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Aries Cerat is a hifi brand known for its use of oversized components and TriodeFet technology, which combines tube and solid-state designs to create a distinctive sound signature. Their products, including the Kassandra DAC and Symphonia horn speakers, are built with massive power handling capabilities and carefully selected drivers to deliver a muscular, dynamic sound that rivals top analogue systems.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Surprisingly free of horn colorations
  • Very rich, present, and neutrally balanced

Product Considerations

  • The reviewer was sitting too close to hear them at their best in the small room
  • Looking a bit like something the Borg might have invented

Takeaway: The Aries Cerat Aurora Reference is a unique, horn-loaded speaker that sounds surprisingly good. They were considered the most interesting and novel new speaker at the show.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Aries Cerat is a hifi brand known for its use of oversized components and TriodeFet technology, which combines tube and solid-state designs to create a distinctive sound signature. Their products, including the Kassandra DAC and Symphonia horn speakers, are built with massive power handling capabilities and carefully selected drivers to deliver a muscular, dynamic sound that rivals top analogue systems.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Steinway Lyngdorf
Model C
100800
/
Released
2024
The Model C speakers is for those who seek the live dipole sound and demand enhanced bass for music and movies. The formula is simple: take the legendary Model D, then scale down the footprint and add powerful boundary woofers. The result is an attention-grabbing statement system that sets a new standard for full-bodied bass reproduction.
Check Amazon
Steinway Lyngdorf is unique for its fully digital amplification technology and RoomPerfect system, which processes signals entirely in the digital domain and automatically adapts sound to any room's acoustics without requiring acoustic treatment. Their systems are built as closed ecosystems with components that must work together, featuring distinctive dipole speakers that emit sound from both front and back to mimic how Steinway pianos interact with a room.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Replicates the resonance of live instruments due to open speaker design
  • Digital from source to driver, minimizing sound distortion
  • Provides audio output so precise you can pinpoint each instrument's location

Product Considerations

  • The only weak link might be musical taste

Takeaway: The Model C delivers incredibly precise audio, replicating live instrument resonance with minimal distortion. If pure sound is desired, and taste in music aligns, it is a great pick.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Steinway Lyngdorf is unique for its fully digital amplification technology and RoomPerfect system, which processes signals entirely in the digital domain and automatically adapts sound to any room's acoustics without requiring acoustic treatment. Their systems are built as closed ecosystems with components that must work together, featuring distinctive dipole speakers that emit sound from both front and back to mimic how Steinway pianos interact with a room.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

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