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.

Product Strengths

  • Good soundstage and imaging, providing a wide sonic panorama
  • Mid-range holds its ground with a neutral, linear delivery
  • Vocals and instruments retain an airy quality
  • Solid build quality

Product Considerations

  • Treble is overly pronounced and dry, leading to an artificial tonality
  • Bass reproduction lacks desired depth and impact, leading to tonal imbalance
  • Visible screws and hook grille attachment could be modernized
  • Front plate and driver bezels appear somewhat plasticky

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The ELAC Debut Reference B6 offers a slightly more accurate rendition

Takeaway: The Ariane 2 speakers offer a wide soundstage and pleasant mid-range for an enjoyable listening experience. These are worth considering for speakers that have quality and sound good.

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

Ariane 2

reviews

[{"title":"Davis Acoustics Ariane 2 Bookshelf Speakers: Review","link":"https://www.m-reviewer.com/hi-fi/davis-acoustics-ariane-2-bookshelf-speakers-review","source":"M-Reviewer","datePublished":""},{"title":"Davis Acoustics Ariane 2 Bookshelf Speakers Review!","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxcYF663rmM","source":"M-Audiophile","datePublished":"2025"}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022

Manufacturer details

  • Type: bookshelf – 2 ways/2 drivers
  • Woofer: fiber glass 6.5"
  • Tweeter: 20 mm soft paper dome
  • Frequency response (+/- 3 dB): 48-22000 Hz
  • Sensitivity: 90 dB
  • Power (nominal/max): 90/120
  • Impedance: 5 mini Ohms
  • Dimensions: 34 (h) x 20.5 (l) x 26 (profondeur) cm
  • Weight: 6.2 kg (One piece)
The Ariane 2 is the big sister of the Ariane 1. With a 17 cm(6.5″) diameter boomer (instead of 13(5″)) and a tweeter a little bit thinner and more detailed (coil diameter 19 mm), it provides a wider bandwidth on both sides of the audible spectrum. It brings more bass and more extreme treble, making the listening more realistic.
The Ariane 2 is the big sister of the Ariane 1. With a 17 cm(6.5″) diameter boomer (instead of 13(5″)) and a tweeter a little bit thinner and more detailed (coil diameter 19 mm), it provides a wider bandwidth on both sides of the audible spectrum. It brings more bass and more extreme treble, making the listening more realistic.

This compact speaker, easy to power, shows a beautiful sound opening and a sufficient output to be associated with many electronics. The DAVIS laboratory has worked to obtain a very linear sensitivity curve, in order to avoid emphasizing one part of the frequencies to the benefit of another. This ensures long hours of listening without auditory fatigue.

The speaker is equipped with non-slip pads, which slightly tilt the speaker towards the back. In addition to an aesthetic effect, this allows the start of the coils of the two drivers to be aligned in the vertical plane. The propagation of sound is then improved.

From an aesthetic point of view, the model is available in three different versions : Walnut (white front and walnut sides), light oak (with black front) and the more discreet black finish (6 black sides). The protective covers are rounded for a modern aesthetic effect.

Ariane 2 is an enclosure with a bass reflex charge, its decompression to the rear. Also, it is advisable to leave a distance of about 30 cm from the wall.
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:

  • Davis Acoustics leverages in-house driver design and manufacturing, a legacy dating back to 1986, to offer unique driver combinations like Kevlar mids and carbon fiber woofers, tailored for balanced sound.
  • They are known for meticulous attention to cabinet design, often employing features like reinforced MDF, internal bracing, rounded edges, and strategically placed vents to minimize unwanted resonances and optimize acoustic performance.
  • A key element of the Davis Acoustics sound signature is a focus on delivering a natural and detailed midrange, frequently utilizing Kevlar drivers to achieve richness, texture, and clarity in vocal and instrumental reproduction.

Olympia One Master 35

  • Positioning: Entry-level floorstanding speaker reissued for accessible performance in smaller spaces.
  • Description: Offers a compact two-driver design with moderate power and simplified connectivity, making it a practical choice for smaller rooms and budget-oriented systems. Compared to the more robust Ariane 9 and other premium models, it provides basic functionality without advanced low-end impact, ideal for users with modest budget and space needs.

Ariane 9

  • Positioning: Mid-range floorstanding speaker aimed at larger listening rooms with balanced sound.
  • Description: Features a four-driver configuration that enhances bass descent and refines high frequencies with a new tweeter, delivering a wide and realistic sound scene. Compared to the entry-level Olympia One Master 35, it offers improved dynamics, yet remains less complex than the Krypton 10 and Stellar.

Courbet N°8

  • Positioning: Mid-to-high range three-way speaker designed for large rooms needing defined and musical sound reproduction.
  • Description: Integrates a fabric dome tweeter, a midrange taken from a higher model, and a fast carbon woofer to achieve an extended bandwidth and clarity. In contrast with the simpler Ariane 9 and Olympia One Master 35, its advanced design serves users with higher technical expectations while still being more approachable than the top-tier Krypton 10 and Stellar.

Krypton 10

  • Positioning: High-end speaker engineered for large living spaces with a focus on powerful and authoritative bass.
  • Description: Uses dual 21 cm bass drivers in parallel with a laminar port to deliver strong low-end performance while preserving detailed midrange and treble. Compared to the mid-range Ariane 9 and Courbet N°8, it targets users seeking enhanced bass and robust sound performance, though it sits just below the flagship level of the Stellar series.

Stellar

  • Positioning: Flagship floorstanding speaker crafted for the most demanding audio systems in expansive environments.
  • Description: Uses a refined three-driver setup with premium materials for membranes, motors, and cabling to ensure precise detail and an expansive soundstage. While it outclasses the advanced features of the Krypton 10 and is pricier than the Ariane 9, Courbet N°8, and Olympia One Master 35, it represents the pinnacle of the lineup's technological capabilities.
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Avg. Product Price
$501-$1,000
Used For Sale
1
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
354
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
39
Founding Year
1986

Our take on the brand

Davis Acoustics pioneered the use of materials like Kevlar, carbon, and glass fiber in speaker unit production, and their focus remains on driver technology over box design as seen in their MV One model with its unique wideband driver. Their speakers use proprietary drivers with different cable types for each driver to optimize response, setting them apart from other French brands by delivering natural sound without the harshness often associated with high-frequency reproduction.

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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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From our interview with
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Used

Davis Acoustics

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What if you spend more?

Product image
Davis Acoustics
Courbet N°3
1770
1770
/
1
Reviews
Davis Acoustics pioneered the use of materials like Kevlar, carbon, and glass fiber in speaker unit production, and their focus remains on driver technology over box design as seen in their MV One model with its unique wideband driver. Their speakers use proprietary drivers with different cable types for each driver to optimize response, setting them apart from other French brands by delivering natural sound without the harshness often associated with high-frequency reproduction.
Check Amazon
Expand Details

Our summary

Product Strengths

  • Assembled in France, the Courbet N°3 is an impressive speaker featuring very high quality drivers designed and produced in Troyes
  • The N°3's design is exceptionally well thought out, with a sleek chassis that features a solid cabinet to eliminate unwanted vibrations
  • The Davis Acoustics Courbet N°3 speaker proved to be very pleasant with every genre of music, like jazz, rock, and electro
  • Its sound signature is characterized by perfect handling of different frequency ranges, with intense lows, which is a pleasant surprise for a speaker this size

Product Considerations

  • The highs are restituted by a new 1" soft dome tweeter present on all of the speakers in the Courbet range

Takeaway: The Courbet N°3 is melodic and smooth, but can also be authoritative when necessary, especially in the lows. The Courbet N°3 invites one to turn up the volume and get lost in a vast soundscape for hours on end.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Davis Acoustics pioneered the use of materials like Kevlar, carbon, and glass fiber in speaker unit production, and their focus remains on driver technology over box design as seen in their MV One model with its unique wideband driver. Their speakers use proprietary drivers with different cable types for each driver to optimize response, setting them apart from other French brands by delivering natural sound without the harshness often associated with high-frequency reproduction.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
KEF
R3 Meta
2430
2430
/
18
Reviews

R3 Meta redefines bookshelf speaker’s performance. Sharing the same drivers as the range-topping R11 Meta, the R3 Meta is a true three-way design. It has a 12th generation Uni-Q® driver array with MAT™ and a powerful 6.5” hybrid aluminium bass driver that pushes performance to new extremes.

KEF's signature Uni-Q technology places the tweeter in the center of the woofer to create a single point source for sound, while their Metamaterial Absorption Technology absorbs 99% of unwanted sound from the rear of the driver. Their Music Integrity Engine corrects timing errors in the speaker crossover, and their Shadow Flare technology reduces diffraction for improved detail and clarity in sound reproduction.
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Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Remarkably precise, unusually musical, and vivid sound, creating an open, inviting sound and bringing superb clarity and resolution to music
  • Wide, airy, and holographic soundstage with excellent directivity, spreading reflections evenly for a consistent sound experience even when not in the 'sweet spot'
  • Innovative Meta Material Absorption Technology (MAT) absorbs 99% of unwanted sound coming from the rear of the tweeter, leading to improved clarity, precision, and detail in the high frequencies—and better overall composure when the mix gets complicated
  • A dedicated woofer handles the bass, allowing the coaxial system to focus on the important midrange without interference, which results in improved bass performance and power handling
  • Neutrality and balanced frequency response, combined with excellent linearity, makes it very suitable for equalization, allowing users to adjust the sound to their preferences

Product Considerations

  • The bass, while tight and tuneful, might not provide the 'gut punch' or chest-thumping experience some listeners prefer, and a subwoofer is recommended for those seeking more pronounced low-end dynamics
  • The treble response, while detailed and airy, may sound a bit bright when the speaker is aimed directly at the listener (on-axis), and a slight toe-out (5-10 degrees) is recommended to relax the high frequencies
  • Some reviewers note that they may sound a little flat or leaner at very low listening volumes, excelling more when given some 'juice' and volume
  • The piano black finish, while beautiful, is prone to fingerprints and requires care to maintain its appearance

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs. LS50 Meta: Considered a better, more complete speaker with a more balanced presentation from top to bottom—and a more fleshed-out sound
  • Vs. Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3: Puts the treble on a much tighter leash, while the 705 S3 can come on as just too much in that lower treble region
  • Vs. Buchardt S400 Mark II: Is leaner, airier, and more spatial, while the Buchardt is warmer, thicker, and has more bass punch
  • Vs. Revel M106: The Revel M106's directivity is nowhere near as good as the Kef R3 meta

Takeaway: The KEF R3 Meta is a well-rounded and high-performing loudspeaker, offering a detailed and balanced sound signature with excellent imaging capabilities. It is a great choice for those seeking a neutral and engaging listening experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

KEF's signature Uni-Q technology places the tweeter in the center of the woofer to create a single point source for sound, while their Metamaterial Absorption Technology absorbs 99% of unwanted sound from the rear of the driver. Their Music Integrity Engine corrects timing errors in the speaker crossover, and their Shadow Flare technology reduces diffraction for improved detail and clarity in sound reproduction.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
PSB
Alpha iQ
1299
1299
/
18
Reviews
Canada's PSB Speakers combine psychoacoustic research with natural listening preferences to create a true-to-nature sound philosophy, accurately reproducing audio as originally recorded. Through collaboration with acoustic research facilities, including the National Research Council of Canada, they enhance their speaker designs using extensive measurement data.
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Product Strengths

  • Highly accurate sound with surprising dynamic and bass abilities
  • Intuitive BluOS app provides access to many streaming services, multi-room control, and customisation options
  • Wide range of connectivity options including HDMI eARC, phono inputs, USB, Wi-Fi, and aptX HD Bluetooth

Product Considerations

  • BluOS app required for setup and primary use, no dedicated remote control is provided
  • BluOS app can be quirky, and there are potential setup difficulties and HDMI connectivity issues
  • Lacks room EQ features for near-wall or desktop placement, and doesn't have enough output for larger rooms without a subwoofer

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs SVS Prime Wireless Pro, the Alpha iQ provides a deeper soundstage and more filled-in sound
  • Vs Q Acoustics's Q Active 200, the Alpha iQ delivers greater sense of scale
  • Vs Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3, the Alpha iQ provides more transparent sound and better dynamic range
  • Vs ELAC Debut ConneX, the Alpha iQ offers wider-ranging connectivity and a dedicated control app
  • Vs KEF LSX II, the Alpha iQ has a feature-rich app and multi-room audio skills
  • Vs Alpha AM3, the Alpha iQ is physically larger, with more rated power and wireless connection between speakers

Takeaway: The PSB Alpha iQ is a compact, all-in-one streaming speaker system with excellent sound quality and versatility, making it a great addition to smaller spaces. Its multiple connectivity options and simple setup allow one to easily enjoy music from various sources.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Canada's PSB Speakers combine psychoacoustic research with natural listening preferences to create a true-to-nature sound philosophy, accurately reproducing audio as originally recorded. Through collaboration with acoustic research facilities, including the National Research Council of Canada, they enhance their speaker designs using extensive measurement data.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
MoFi
SourcePoint 8
1999
1999
/
15
Reviews
MoFi Electronics is known for their turntables featuring unique engineering choices like chassis with constrained layer damping and 10-inch tonearms for superior sound quality. Their speakers use concentric driver designs that minimize cone displacement and enhance clarity, while their phono stages offer uncommon features like front-panel adjustability for gain and cartridge load.
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Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Precise and stable stereo imaging
  • Good detail retrieval
  • Neutral tonal balance
  • Versatile directivity

Product Considerations

  • Bass extension requires a subwoofer for full-range playback, especially below the mid-40Hz range
  • Potential for brightness, especially when toed-in directly towards the listening position
  • Requires careful setup and experimentation with placement to optimize sound, especially in relation to the rear wall and toe-in

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The SourcePoint 8 is more neutral, with a less elevated top end, while the SourcePoint 10 is brighter

Takeaway: The SourcePoint 8 is a well-engineered speaker that stands out for its clear imaging and ability to convey musical detail across different genres. It offers a balanced and neutral sound that makes it an engaging listening experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

MoFi Electronics is known for their turntables featuring unique engineering choices like chassis with constrained layer damping and 10-inch tonearms for superior sound quality. Their speakers use concentric driver designs that minimize cone displacement and enhance clarity, while their phono stages offer uncommon features like front-panel adjustability for gain and cartridge load.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

What competes at this price?

Wharfedale
Evo4.2
899
/
Released
2021
Wharfedale's new EVO4 has grown out of the extensive research and development that produced the ELYSIAN flagship loudspeakers and borrows much of the technology involved in ELYSIAN. The primary focus is on the AMT development resulting in a radically different way of reproducing high frequency detail efficiently and accurately.
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Wharfedale is a speaker brand known for making high-end audio accessible to budget-conscious audiophiles, particularly through their Heritage Series and Diamond line which offer premium sound at affordable prices. Their speakers feature curved cabinets and are celebrated for their rich, full-bodied sound with excellent tonal balance, notably in their Linton 85s and Dovedale models.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Excellent focus and separation, with the speakers 'disappearing' to create a natural soundstage
  • Impressive low-end performance, adding authority to the music
  • Cohesive driver integration, with no perceivable handover between the AMT tweeter, midrange dome, and woofer
  • Remarkable neutrality in the midrange, with a detailed yet smooth treble—avoiding harshness even at higher volumes
  • Clear and detailed sound reproduction, extracting nuances and levels of information outstanding for its price

Product Considerations

  • Vertical off-axis performance of the AMT tweeter is not good, so correct speaker height and toe-in are important
  • Soundstage is not super wide, with the presentation mostly between the speakers
  • Some reviewers found the aesthetics or proportions to be awkward or not to suit all tastes
  • Bass may be a bit polite for some listeners wanting subwoofer-type rumble
  • The midrange can be fatiguing if the listener's ear is at the midrange driver level

Takeaway: The Evo4.2 is a well-rounded speaker that delivers excellent sound quality with impressive imaging, detail, and tonal balance. It is capable of providing an audiophile experience at an affordable price.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Wharfedale is a speaker brand known for making high-end audio accessible to budget-conscious audiophiles, particularly through their Heritage Series and Diamond line which offer premium sound at affordable prices. Their speakers feature curved cabinets and are celebrated for their rich, full-bodied sound with excellent tonal balance, notably in their Linton 85s and Dovedale models.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
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Q Acoustics
5020
899
/
Released
2023
Experience all the scale and power of your favourite music without letting your loudspeaker dominate your room. The 5020 standmounting speaker will put your right in the heart of the music without putting itself at the heart of your space.
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Q Acoustics, a popular entry-level hifi brand among professional reviewers, offers excellent performance at affordable prices.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Attractive design with rounded cabinet edges and multiple finish options (Satin Black, Satin White, Santos Rosewood, Holme Oak)
  • Good midrange reproduction—clean and uncolored—especially for the price
  • Clear and detailed sound with good separation of instruments
  • Taut and agile bass performance
  • Internal bracing (P2P) stiffens the cabinet, reducing vibrations and improving stereo image
  • Connectivity options such as binding posts

Product Considerations

  • Can tend towards brightness, potentially causing fatigue during longer listening sessions—especially with the wrong equipment pairing
  • Cabinet size is relatively large for a bookshelf speaker
  • Bass response is somewhat subdued
  • Some reviewers noted imaging issues, with vocals lacking a firm presence in the center
  • Grilles muddle the sound

Takeaway: The Q Acoustics 5020 is a great-looking speaker that offers a rich and musical sound, making it a very entertaining listen for the price. With its ability to reveal details from recordings, it's a wise choice for those looking for a well-built and sonically pleasing speaker.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Q Acoustics, a popular entry-level hifi brand among professional reviewers, offers excellent performance at affordable prices.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
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Klipsch
RP-600M II
649
/
Released
2022
A new, larger 90° x 90° silicone composite hybrid Tractrix® horn provides incredibly efficient transfer of high-frequency waves into the listening area for crisper, clearer sound. The phase plug and compression molded silicone face ensure smooth frequency response.
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Klipsch is renowned for its pioneering use of horn-loaded technology in speakers, which enhances efficiency and reduces distortion through their signature Tractrix Horn design. The brand's distinctive "Klipsch sound" is characterized by a bright, dynamic audio profile that some find exhilarating.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Larger horn tweeter and a new Cerametallic woofer, compared to its predecessor
  • Upgraded binding posts and crossover plate elevate to Reference Premiere status
  • Larger diameter voice coils and aluminum shorting rings on the woofers give the speaker better linearity throughout the bass, decrease distortion while upping power handling resulting in improved speed and accuracy
  • Better detail retrieval, more articulate bass, and vastly improved soundstage width and imaging, compared to the RP-600M
  • The binding posts are the same that are found on costlier Heritage speakers

Product Considerations

  • Finish options did not receive an upgrade over the outgoing model, leaving customers with the same ebony or walnut wraps
  • The tweeter may be too bright for some listeners who are sensitive to a more aggressive top end
  • Rated sensitivity is 94.5dB, which is a decrease compared to the original's reported sensitivity of 96
  • Needs a bit of space behind them and to the sides, or at least positioning on open shelves, if the powerful output from that port isn't to muddy the sound

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to the older RP-600M, the new sounds far more linear
  • The new is very easy to listen to for long periods of time, and while it still has a presence, a speed and transparency to the artist or instrument—at least with respect to the midrange—it is not as forward sounding as past designs
  • The new proved to be surprisingly flat, but best of all, not the least bit fatiguing
  • There was very little difference in tone with respect to the mids between the new and a costlier Revel bookshelf
  • These two are actually pretty neck and neck
  • As for the Wharfedale Evo 4.1, the Evo is better constructed, not to mention nicer looking

Takeaway: The RP-600M II is a refined speaker with better components, improved sound, and better bass response and imaging. It's a speaker that would be great for someone who likes to listen to a variety of music genres and wants a good-sounding speaker that can last a long time.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Klipsch is renowned for its pioneering use of horn-loaded technology in speakers, which enhances efficiency and reduces distortion through their signature Tractrix Horn design. The brand's distinctive "Klipsch sound" is characterized by a bright, dynamic audio profile that some find exhilarating.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
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SVS
Ultra Evolution Bookshelf
599
/
Released
2024
Reference flagship bookshelf speaker is a technology tour-de-force that stands toe-to-toe with the finest loudspeakers in the world delivering reference sound for both two-channel audiophiles and home theater fans. The SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf speaker represents the culmination of SVS breakthroughs in driver design, component materials, and cabinet architecture, married with a relentless passion for audio excellence.
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SVS is a hifi brand known for its subwoofers that feature dual 8-inch voice coils and 17-inch drivers, delivering deep bass with precise control through their force-balanced woofer array design. Their Ultra Evolution series uses diamond-coated aluminum dome tweeters and acoustically centered time alignment cabinet architecture to ensure all sound reaches listeners' ears simultaneously for a coherent soundstage.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Incredible power handling capabilities, performing as well as speakers in the $2,000–$3,000 range
  • Sound quality is comparable to stand-mount speakers in the $1,500–$2,000 range
  • Build quality is phenomenal for its price point, with real wood veneer options available
  • Produces a dense and deep soundstage, especially for a two-way design
  • Neutral and clean sound with nice extension in the upper mid-range to high-frequency extension, avoiding a 'hot' sound

Product Considerations

  • Stereo imaging is decent, but not as precise as some listeners may prefer
  • The mid-range can be a weak point due to some potential resonance in the upper frequencies of the woofer's range
  • The speakers are not the easiest to drive and pairing with neutral, slightly warmer amps is recommended
  • The treble response is slightly forward with some extra sparkle which may not be ideal for those sensitive to higher frequencies
  • While the bass is good, listeners of bass-heavy music may want to add a subwoofer

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs. SVS Nano: The Ultra Evolution has a more open and expansive midrange and more linear bass, while the Nano has punchier—slightly boosted—bass
  • Vs. Heco Salon Revolution 3: The Ultra Evolution is a good replacement since the Heco is discontinued, the Ultra Evolution favors neutrality, while the Heco has a warmer midrange, but the treble is very similar on both
  • Vs. KEF R3 Meta: The SVS Ultra Evolution disappears better, but the R3 Meta sounds more neutral
  • Vs. Dali Opticon II Mark IIs: Dali is warmer and more nuanced in the midrange but the Ultra Evolution is a little more exciting in its presentation

Takeaway: The SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf speakers provide exceptional performance for the price and create an immersive listening experience. They are well-built, attractive, and offer a balanced sound that makes them a strong contender in their price range.

Video review

Our take on the brand

SVS is a hifi brand known for its subwoofers that feature dual 8-inch voice coils and 17-inch drivers, delivering deep bass with precise control through their force-balanced woofer array design. Their Ultra Evolution series uses diamond-coated aluminum dome tweeters and acoustically centered time alignment cabinet architecture to ensure all sound reaches listeners' ears simultaneously for a coherent soundstage.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
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Triangle
AIO Twin
799
/
Released
2022
The AIO TWIN speakers are packed with technologies and TRIANGLE know-how. Versatile and in a sleek design, they are a state-of-the-art product. With all the features and performances of a modern Hi-Fi system, they offer a rich, precise, and detailed sound. With Bluetooth/Wi-Fi connectivity, you can easily stream your music in high-resolution (24 bits / 192 KHz) from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. They also feature a Phono input, compatible with most turntables available on the market.
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Triangle is a French speaker manufacturer known for its bright, lively sound and distinctive tweeter designs that use horn-loaded tweeters to enhance high-frequency detail.
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Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Wide range of connectivity options including Bluetooth 5.0 aptX, Wi-Fi, RCA/Phono input, optical input, and USB input.
  • Enthusiastic and capable sound quality suitable for various music genres, with a mature sense of composure.
  • Elegant and refined design with unique arrow-extended feet and premium grill, available in multiple color finishes.
  • The included Triangle AIO app is well-designed, bug-free, and provides easy streaming from providers like Spotify, Qobuz, Tidal, and Deezer, as well as basic EQ adjustments.
  • Includes a built-in moving magnet phono stage for playing records directly.

Product Considerations

  • The quality of the built-in phono stage isn't the best compared to streaming or other inputs
  • The remote control is plastic and doesn't feel as premium as the speaker itself
  • The included speaker cable is basic
  • WiFi connectivity can have a delay when turning the speaker off and back on
  • The bright LED indicating the source can be distracting for some users, though it can be dimmed or turned off

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to the KEF LSX II, the AIO Twin is at half the price
  • Triangle is more balanced, neutral, and composed than the Argon Audio Forte A5 MK2, while the Argon Audio Forte A5 MK2 is more V-shaped

Takeaway: The AIO is a versatile and good-sounding all-in-one speaker system that combines modern features with a stylish design, making it a great choice for those who want simplicity and convenience. The speaker's ability to handle various input sources, from streaming to vinyl playback, ensures that users can enjoy all of their music with ease.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Triangle is a French speaker manufacturer known for its bright, lively sound and distinctive tweeter designs that use horn-loaded tweeters to enhance high-frequency detail.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
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Product Page

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