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.
All
Reference One
reviews
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- HF DRIVER: 1x 28mm (Titanium Voice Coil Former)
- MF DRIVER: 2x 160mm (75mm Titanium Voice Coil Former)
- LF DRIVER: 4x 254mm (130mm Titanium Voice Coil Former)
- FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz - 22KHz ±3dB
- SENSITIVITY: 91dB @2.83V/1m
- RECOMMENDED POWER: 80 - 1200W
- IMPEDANCE: 4Ω
- CROSSOVER TOPOLOGY: 3-WAY, 2ND ORDER
- CABINET CONSTRUCTION: ALUMINIUM PLATE. ALL INTERNAL VOLUMES SEALED WITH O-RING GASKETS
- DIMENSIONS: (CABINET) 1970 x 346 x 522 (HXWXD) (OVERALL) 2055 x 550 x 540 (HXWXD)
- FINISHES: BLACK WITH CHROME TRIM, STAINLESS STEEL FEET
- NET WEIGHT: 340 KG
Description
Our flagship loudspeaker is by definition the pinnacle of performance and a statement of our limitless passion and resolve to surpass even our own expectations. Acknowledging the detrimental effects of vibration on sound quality our research of the critical issues and solutions to resolve them has resulted in a loudspeaker of outstanding quality, both sonically and visually.
Our flagship loudspeaker is by definition the pinnacle of performance and a statement of our limitless passion and resolve to surpass even our own expectations.
Acknowledging the detrimental effects of vibration on sound quality our research of the critical issues and solutions to resolve them has resulted in a loudspeaker of outstanding quality, both sonically and visually.
concert levels
By any margin this is a colossal design, capable of exposing every detail in your music. Revealing a stunning transparent stereo picture, with an immense sense of power and control with room-filling capabilities.
Coupled with a vast dynamic range and power handling, it means you can unleash the ferocious power that our amplifiers can deliver, putting you right there at concert levels of sound.
beyond experience
Phenomenal bass performance is achieved through reflex loading with the porting hidden to minimise room positioning issues. For listeners seeking stentorian levels, each bass driver employs a large diameter Titanium voice coil offering greater thermal stability improving both dynamics and transient response to accurately reproduce a colouration free sound. Guaranteed, the Reference One is beyond anything you have ever heard, it is beyond experience.
Acknowledging the detrimental effects of vibration on sound quality our research of the critical issues and solutions to resolve them has resulted in a loudspeaker of outstanding quality, both sonically and visually.
concert levels
By any margin this is a colossal design, capable of exposing every detail in your music. Revealing a stunning transparent stereo picture, with an immense sense of power and control with room-filling capabilities.
Coupled with a vast dynamic range and power handling, it means you can unleash the ferocious power that our amplifiers can deliver, putting you right there at concert levels of sound.
beyond experience
Phenomenal bass performance is achieved through reflex loading with the porting hidden to minimise room positioning issues. For listeners seeking stentorian levels, each bass driver employs a large diameter Titanium voice coil offering greater thermal stability improving both dynamics and transient response to accurately reproduce a colouration free sound. Guaranteed, the Reference One is beyond anything you have ever heard, it is beyond experience.
Release Timeline
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:
- AVID's design philosophy revolves around minimizing unwanted noise and vibrations by using rigid, heavily damped, proprietary materials for the body and yokes of their cartridges, turntables, and tonearms.
- Neutrality is a recurring theme, with Avid products aiming for an "utterly neutral" sonic signature to provide a blank canvas for other components and recordings to shine.
- AVID turntables and cartridges are designed to be relatively insensitive to their environment, not requiring exotic racks or dedicated supports, suggesting their designs handle vibrations effectively.
Select products
Select product comparisons
Ingenium-turntable
- Positioning: The entry-level model aimed at budget-conscious users.
- Description: Offers a reliable belt drive mechanism and basic isolation features that help deliver clear sound in smaller rooms. In comparison to the other models, it provides essential performance without advanced engineering details for those who need simple functionality at a lower cost.
Diva-II-SP-turntable
- Positioning: A mid-range model that builds on the entry-level design with enhanced mechanical features.
- Description: Introduces an improved suspension system and refined tonearm design that help boost tracking precision and stability over the Ingenium. Compared to other products in the lineup, it offers a balanced step up in engineering for medium-sized setups.
Volvere-turntable
- Positioning: A mid-to-high tier option focused on greater mechanical stability and refined performance.
- Description: Uses an upgraded motor control and enhanced isolation measures that result in steadier operation and improved sound reproduction. In contrast to the Ingenium and Diva-II-SP models, its superior build quality and technical improvements suit buyers looking for a noticeable upgrade in performance and precision.
Acutus-reference
- Positioning: A high-end reference model designed for dedicated audiophile listening environments.
- Description: Features precision machining and an innovative motor system that markedly reduce vibration and enhance accurate tracking, setting it apart from the lower-tier products. Compared to the Ingenium, Diva-II-SP, and Volvere models, it offers advanced isolation and refined control.
Acutus-reference-mono
- Positioning: The flagship model with the highest level of engineering refinement in the lineup.
- Description: Features a bespoke mono-block design that significantly improves channel separation and minimizes interference, distinguishing it from all other models. Compared to the Acutus-reference and the rest of the range, it provides the most sophisticated circuitry and tonearm system.
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Avg. Product Price
$100,001+
Used For Sale
4
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
129
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
32
Founding Year
1995
Our take on the brand
AVID Hifi is a brand known for its turntables featuring unique engineering like sapphire bearings and dual-stage clamping systems that improve bass grip and soundstage projection. The brand's design philosophy involves developing technology in their high-end models and then adapting it for more affordable products, with their components made from solid aluminum and speakers weighing 100kg for exceptional build quality.
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?
What other products pair best with yours?
From our interview with
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Brand Page
Used
AVIDHIFI
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What if you spend more?
No items found.
What competes at this price?
YG Acoustics
Sonja 3.2
161825
/
Released
2023
Sonja 3.2 is a true, reference loudspeaker, delivering the life-like, natural sound which is the hallmark of YG. Capable delicate holographic imaging while still recreating concert scale audio, it is one of the very best loudspeakers in the world.
YG Acoustics makes speakers with unique DualCoherent crossover technology that ensures both perfect frequency response and phase coherence, while their BilletCore drivers are machined from solid aluminum billets for enhanced precision. Their modular design allows users to upgrade and expand their systems over time, and they use proprietary software that optimizes both frequency and phase response, capabilities not commonly found in other hifi brands.
Expand Details
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional build quality using aerospace-grade aluminum
- Creates a holographic soundstage
- Delivers every genre with exceptional clarity and authority
- The design strives to editorialize the signal as little as possible, letting the music flow
Product Considerations
- Substantial investment required
- Considerable weight—145kg per speaker
- Demands thoughtful amplifier matching, requiring a lot of power to shine
- Requires optimal room placement
Takeaway: The YG Acoustics Reference Sonja 3.2 speakers are a masterpiece of acoustic engineering, providing a realistic, precise, and effortless sound experience. If one wants to hear their favorite music at its best, these speakers could be worth the investment.
Video review
Our take on the brand
YG Acoustics makes speakers with unique DualCoherent crossover technology that ensures both perfect frequency response and phase coherence, while their BilletCore drivers are machined from solid aluminum billets for enhanced precision. Their modular design allows users to upgrade and expand their systems over time, and they use proprietary software that optimizes both frequency and phase response, capabilities not commonly found in other hifi brands.
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
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.
Product Page
Product Page
YG Acoustics
XX
225800
/
Released
2024
Celebrating the twentieth anniversary of YG Acoustics, XX 3 is a unique product: an ultimate performance loudspeaker that will redefine what you think is possible. Benefitting from the latest in driver and crossover technology, it offers the highest possible sound quality from a single tower design. It is an acoustic, scientific and engineering marvel.
YG Acoustics makes speakers with unique DualCoherent crossover technology that ensures both perfect frequency response and phase coherence, while their BilletCore drivers are machined from solid aluminum billets for enhanced precision. Their modular design allows users to upgrade and expand their systems over time, and they use proprietary software that optimizes both frequency and phase response, capabilities not commonly found in other hifi brands.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional build quality
- Incredible bass
- Product is not an inferior DAC to Gordon
- Beats the Blackback at soundstage
- Connectivity options are strong
Product Considerations
- [Pricing complaints removed]
Video review
Our take on the brand
YG Acoustics makes speakers with unique DualCoherent crossover technology that ensures both perfect frequency response and phase coherence, while their BilletCore drivers are machined from solid aluminum billets for enhanced precision. Their modular design allows users to upgrade and expand their systems over time, and they use proprietary software that optimizes both frequency and phase response, capabilities not commonly found in other hifi brands.
Product Page
Product Page
Clarisys
Auditorium
149000
/
Released
2022
Experience Clarisys Audio's Auditorium for ultimate sound quality. Boasting neodymium magnets and a double-sided bass panel, double-sided midrange, and double-sided treble. All drivers are 100% identical, giving you perfect coherence.
Clarisys Audio speakers feature a unique double-sided ribbon design that enhances current flow and magnetic response, with a metal exoskeleton frame preventing the warping common in traditional ribbon speakers. The brand caters to tube amp enthusiasts through their use of Neodymium magnets for improved sensitivity, while offering DIY-friendly support and parts for vintage Apogee speaker refurbishment.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Experienced a 'wall of sound' from the speakers
- These speakers do not need room treatment
Product Considerations
- Extremely well-built, resulting in a thousand-pound shipping weight
- Speakers purchased at Audium come with a service, where if the buyer has issues, someone will fly to the buyer's home and fix them
Takeaway: The Audium speakers offer a phenomenal sound experience without needing extra sound treatment in the room. The build is solid, and the company will even fly to the buyer's house to fix them.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Clarisys Audio speakers feature a unique double-sided ribbon design that enhances current flow and magnetic response, with a metal exoskeleton frame preventing the warping common in traditional ribbon speakers. The brand caters to tube amp enthusiasts through their use of Neodymium magnets for improved sensitivity, while offering DIY-friendly support and parts for vintage Apogee speaker refurbishment.
Product Page
Product Page
Stenheim
Reference Ultime Two
165000
/
Released
2021
The Reference Ultime Two is the most compact speaker in the Reference line, but it is still considerably bigger than the Alumine Five and built to a different scale. It is designed for larger spaces and to front more powerful systems, to fill big rooms with dynamic, captivating sound that covers the full bandwidth, providing deeper bass than is possible with a smaller cabinet design.
Stenheim is a hifi speaker brand known for its aluminum enclosures and minimalist, Bauhaus-inspired design that appeals to both audiophiles and art lovers. Their speakers feature high sensitivity for compatibility with low-powered tube amplifiers and use paper and fabric cone drivers for a natural sound, setting them apart from brands that use ceramic or metal drivers.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional build quality
- Good sound quality
- Great value for the money
- Easy to use interface
- Offers connectivity options
Product Considerations
- May not suit all listeners
- No balanced outputs
Takeaway: Overall, a solid product for the price point. It delivers good performance and offers a user-friendly experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Stenheim is a hifi speaker brand known for its aluminum enclosures and minimalist, Bauhaus-inspired design that appeals to both audiophiles and art lovers. Their speakers feature high sensitivity for compatibility with low-powered tube amplifiers and use paper and fabric cone drivers for a natural sound, setting them apart from brands that use ceramic or metal drivers.
Product Page
Product Page
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