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.
All
Melos (Passive)
reviews
Manufacturer details
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:
- Goldmund leverages proprietary software, including "Proteus" and "Leonardo," to mathematically model and design speakers, minimizing human intervention and enabling digital room correction without microphones.
- The brand often integrates digital signal processing (DSP), DACs, and amplification directly into their speaker designs to minimize distortion and maximize sound coherence.
- Goldmund cabinets utilize thick aluminum alloy panels sourced from the aerospace industry with mechanical grounding to control resonances and dissipate vibrational energy.
Select products
Rhea Wireless Speakers
- Positioning: A mid-range wireless speaker in Goldmund's lineup, offering a balance of performance and convenience.
- Description: Features Proteus LS technology and Leonardo Time Correction algorithm, providing precise audio reproduction. Offers more power than the Tethys with built-in amplification, making it suitable for users who want a wireless setup without sacrificing sound quality.
Samadhi Loudspeaker
- Positioning: A premium wireless speaker, offering advanced features and high power output.
- Description: Uses Proteus LS modeling and Leonardo 2 time correction, ensuring minimal phase distortion and high sound realism. Surpasses Rhea in power with 700 W per speaker.
Tethys Passive Speaker
- Positioning: A high-end passive speaker in Goldmund's lineup, showcasing advanced engineering and design.
- Description: Unlike the wireless models like Rhea and Samadhi, requires external amplification, making it ideal for audiophiles who prefer customizing their audio setup. Its handcrafted design and state-of-the-art components deliver superior build quality and sound fidelity.
Gaia Speaker Collection
- Positioning: A flagship model in Goldmund's lineup, representing the pinnacle of their speaker technology.
- Description: Features a unique design with multiple drivers and Telos amplification, delivering powerful and accurate sound. It offers a more complex setup compared to Samadhi, with a focus on creating a natural and immersive soundstage.
Apologue Wireless Speaker
- Positioning: A legendary model, celebrated for its iconic design and historical significance in Goldmund's lineup.
- Description: The Anniversary edition includes advanced DSP technology for perfect amplitude and phase response, setting it apart from other models like Gaia and Samadhi. Its wireless capability and sculptural design make it a statement piece for those who appreciate both art and high-fidelity sound.
Our take on the brand
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Our interview with the brand
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Used
Goldmund
What if you spend more?
Elegant and powerful, our BXT turns any pair of Kii THREE into unrivaled floor-standing speakers.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- When combined with the BXT module, the system delivers tight, dynamic, and nuanced bass reproduction
- The addition of the BXT allows the system to reveal subtle details in the lower frequencies that are typically missed
- The BXT system offers a balanced sound, with the midrange frequencies benefiting from the addition of the BXT module
- Are relieved of some bass duties, letting them focus more on the mids
- The combination with the BXT module creates a cardioid dispersion pattern, reducing reflections from side and rear walls—minimizing the influence of room acoustics
- Ease of use is another strength of the concept
Product Considerations
- Some perceive it as sounding 'too digital' or 'too analytical' on its own, lacking the warmth of other speakers, but the BXT module helps to address this
- The display on the Kii Control is considered small, making it difficult to read in poor lighting conditions
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Versus ATC speakers, ATC speakers have a warmer, more colorful sound
Takeaway: The system, especially when paired with the BXT module, delivers exceptional sound quality with deep, controlled bass and reduced room interaction. For those wanting a system with great clarity and power, this could be a good pick.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Reference range demonstrates the very best that can be achieved in accuracy and musicality. We are honored that these models are some of the most awarded loudspeakers in the world. They combine advanced materials with cutting edge science and engineering. They are designed without compromise, with the singular aim of transporting listeners into the heart of the music.
Carmel 3 delivers the highest accuracy and musicality possible from a compact two-channel loudspeaker. We have applied many of our technologies from the XV, Sonja and Hailey to a compact form factor that is compatible with any room. Carmel 3 throws a huge sound-stage with effortless detail. Incredible delicacy is combined with huge power and authority.
The Reference speakers are structured from high-grade aerospace aluminum, machined in-house to an incredible precision. The speakers are meticulously hand-built by experts in our Colorado workshop. The Reference 3 models include new technologies and design innovations based on novel theoretical models, detailed multi-domain simulations and thousands of hours of listening. The end result: loudspeakers which convey every nuance of emotion, each musical cue from the tiniest microdetail to the visceral impact of the most thunderous crescendo.
An entirely new, hybrid Lattice tweeter uses a novel airframe in a specially-selected aerospace alloy, machined by YG Acoustics. It delivers exceptionally low distortion over a huge bandwidth, with wide angular dispersion to support a large sweet-spot. Groundbreaking, third-generation Ultracoherent crossovers apply a deep understanding from simulation to deliver performance never before possible. Our BilletCore drivers use advanced motors and cones machined in-house from solid billet, offering some of the highest performance and lowest distortion in any driver available today.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional build quality with precision-machined aluminum alloy cabinets minimizing resonances
- Striking dynamic punch and surprising low-end power for its size, with tight, controlled bass
- Presents a vivid, lifelike midrange and highs with extraordinary detail, scalpel-sharp resolution, and refinement
- Wide dispersion from the tweeter leads to seamless integration and a larger listening sweet spot
- Tonally balanced with a pleasing, slightly colored sound that avoids harshness, making it versatile across genres
Product Considerations
- Can be ultra-fussy about recording and system quality, highlighting deficiencies in less-than-perfect recordings
- Requires high-quality partnering equipment to achieve peak performance and reveal its capabilities fully
- While not particularly difficult to drive, it benefits from an amplifier with plenty of muscle
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Carmel 3 surpasses the Magico S1MK2 as an absolute favorite two-way speaker
- The Carmel 3 is more revealing of recording flaws, while the Audiovector R 6 Arreté smooths over some imperfections
- Rivals such as Wilson Benesch reveal at least as much as the Carmel 3, including the odd hard edge to sound, but don't focus on it—YG seems to want to highlight every deficiency rather than give a more balanced view of the recording
Takeaway: The Carmel 3 is a compact yet powerful speaker that delivers exceptional detail and dynamic sound, making it a great fit for audiophiles who want a high-end listening experience in small- to medium-sized rooms. Its ability to reveal the nuances in music makes listening sessions consistently engaging and enjoyable.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Engaging, naturalistic presentation
- The coaxial ribbon midrange and tweeter contribute to vocal transparency and distinctiveness
- Robust bass foundation
- Uncanny lack of cabinet resonance coloration
- Connectivity options...
Product Considerations
- The reviewer had difficulty reattaching the grilles after removing them
- The brushed aluminum finish might suggest an icy sound signature that isn't accurate
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The 811s sometimes reminded the reviewer of the Raidho TD3.8s in their sound presentation
Takeaway: The Piega Coax 811 Gen2 speakers offer great vocal transparency and robust bass, making them enjoyable for critical listening. Their engaging and natural sound is worth the investment.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Product Strengths
- Exceptional build quality with meticulous sanding, polishing, and assembly
- High level of detail reproduction with a clean and uncolored treble, thanks to the diamond tweeter
- Stable and efficient design with a wide frequency range and high sensitivity
- Iconic design with a teardrop-shaped cabinet to minimize diffraction and internal Matrix skeleton to reduce resonances
- Delivers music with extremely low distortion, allowing complex passages to breathe freely
Product Considerations
- Wheels underneath may mark parquet floors
- May lack some punch and dynamics in the mid-bass for some listeners
- Setup can benefit from careful physical adjustments for optimal performance
- Grills may be compelling as toys for young children
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The 802 D4 is more musically compelling than the 802 D3
- The 802 D4 delivers more accuracy, especially in the mids and highs, than the 800 D2/D3
- The 802 D4 has an advantage in airiness, transparency and resolution, though the KEF Blade Two Meta has more brutal dynamics
- The 802 D4 has less exaggerated sibilance, though the Focal Sopra No3 is more powerful in the midrange
Takeaway: The 802 D4 is an ultra high-end speaker that combines advanced technology and top-shelf materials, delivering exceptional detail and a clean soundstage for an immersive listening experience. It is a speaker that may fill the soul with music.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Build quality is second to none, using the best construction materials
- Very well-controlled midrange
- Excellent imaging capabilities
- All aluminum cabinets make for an impressive sight
- Good dynamic range, if given enough power to compensate for bass equalization
Product Considerations
- Depressed bass response below 100Hz, potentially requiring equalization
- Rough treble response on-axis that can be piercing with certain content, solvable by mild to no toe-in angle
- The effort involved in attaining a great sound from these speakers will inevitably be a turn-off for some people
- At 80 lbs each, users will need to be careful when handling these speakers
- The use of an isobaric design has likely caused more problems than it has solved in this instance
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The SuperMon Mini provides an incredible amount of detail to go with that superb imaging and soundstaging, while the LS3/5a has a natural tonality that's simply breathtaking
Takeaway: With EQ'd bass and correct placement, the SuperMon Isobarics can sound terrific—offering excellent soundstage and imaging. These speakers are for audio lovers to proudly display and will likely be the subject of conversation.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The Minissimo Forte creates a palpably dimensional and believable representation of musical sounds, offering the most believable representation of a musical sound through a stereo system
- It communicates the dynamic life of music exceptionally well at lower playback levels
- Incredible resolution and coloration-free tonality
- The speakers play organically with excellent timbre, detail, and incredible soundstage
Product Considerations
- The owner's manual lacks detailed setup instructions regarding channel configuration
- Positioning the right and left speakers with the 'fat' part of the apostrophe on the outside results in a reduction in the seamlessness of the soundstage
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to Harbeth, the Crystal Cable speakers possessed a skill—allowing even better insight into the recording
- Compared to BBC LS3/5a loudspeakers, the Minissimo Forte goes a step, or two, further in transparency
Takeaway: The Crystal Cable Minissimo Forte loudspeaker is excellent for audiophiles who want a high level of realism. These speakers are especially good in small and medium spaces with high-end electronics.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Impressive build quality with all-aluminum cabinets
- High sensitivity of 93dB, making them easy to drive with a variety of amplifiers
- Tremendous dynamics
- Bass that others close in size could not dream of providing
- Clean, dynamic, and sophisticated sound with warmth and emotion, and a well-balanced tonality
Product Considerations
- Very heavy at 100 pounds each
- Do not come with grilles
- Might not be as stable as some competitor speakers, even with the feet installed
- Brutally simple and minimalist design might not appeal to everyone
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Bowers & Wilkins 804 D4: Both are open-sounding, dynamic and engaging, but the Stenheim Alumine Two.Five has punchier bass
- Vs Magico A3: Comparable (perhaps a small increment better) dynamics, but are more expensive overall
Takeaway: The Stenheim Alumine Two.Five is a high-performance speaker that delivers evolved musical resolution and can fit into smaller spaces. It is easy to drive and makes the music important by getting out of the way.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The revised Hagen2 is purpose-tuned as part of the Alberich2 system, which improves the sound
- Ripol subs are faster and better tuned than other available subs
- Compact double decker packs the aces on bandwidth, LF control, and cosmetic footprint
- Physical separation of bass bin from light-coned main driver
- Dedicated bass volume control and adjustable filter hinge for in-room tonal balance
Product Considerations
- Client complained of the total cost when added to Hagen2 pair
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Alberich2 is head-on competitive with Cube Audio's Nenuphar v2, packs the aces on bandwidth, LF control, and cosmetic footprint
Takeaway: The ALBERICH2, when combined with the Hagen2, creates a purpose-tuned speaker system that improves the sound. The ability to adjust bass volume and filter settings allows for tonal balance, and its size is compact for its class.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Most affordable way into the true 800 series form factor, with the solid aluminum turbine head and the fully curved matrix-braced cabinet
- Features a one-inch diamond dome tweeter, which is a standout strength
- Midrange and vocal region from the Bowers favor a leaner, more technically accurate sound, going for outright clarity, and vocals sound particularly clear and clean
- Bases have casters integrated or built into them, making them easy speakers to move around for optimal positioning, and integrated spikes can then be used to securely position them
- Show-stoppingly gorgeous and sound simply fantastic
Product Considerations
- A much fussier speaker in every regard and require more thought and work to get the sound balance right
- Possible to come across maybe a little bit too lively in the treble
- Amplifier power, quality, and capability is hugely influential—hugely important for these speakers
- Due to their revealing nature, they don't play particularly well with poorer recordings such as metal and older rock
- Tweeter can get fairly harsh when the volume is turned to the extreme, pushing 90+ db for louder music
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Bowers & Wilkins are a much fussier speaker in every regard than the Mission 770
- Paradigm Persona 5H is a little more "liquid" sounding
- Wilson Audio SabrinaX's finish is superior to that of the Bowers & Wilkins, dynamic, easy to drive, with a very familiar and very resolute sound
- Bowers & Wilkins 803 D4s are refined like an Aston Martin, and Tekton Ulfberhts are more like a Corvette C8
- Bowers & Wilkins 805D4 lacks the midrange prowess that the 803 has, and will most definitely need a subwoofer for even mild extension into bass
Takeaway: The 803 D4 speakers offer a fantastic listening experience with clear vocals and a grand soundstage, making music more engaging. They are an investment that can potentially improve over a long period of time through system upgrades and continued optimization.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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