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

  • Fills large spaces with sound, reaching approximately 120 dB of SPL, making them suitable for large home theaters or living rooms
  • High-quality sound for both audiophile and home theater applications, described as 'phenomenal'
  • Delivers a very true and neutral sound, without emphasizing bass or treble
  • Wide horizontal sound dispersion, creating a bigger soundstage and a more forward sound presence, enhancing the listening experience
  • Beryllium dome tweeter provides excellent high-end sound without being harsh

Product Considerations

  • Can be a little brighter than some other speakers, and may not have quite as much micro-detail
  • Surround channels don't have the same low-end impact as the front channels when running speakers full range

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4s, the Perlisten S5Ms had a bigger soundstage with more bass, but the 805s had a slight smoothness to its top end
  • Vs Focal Canta number threes, the S5Ms were less piercing and harsh in the high frequencies

Takeaway: The Perlisten S5M speakers deliver amazing sound for both music and movies, making them worth considering for those wanting a versatile and high-performing sound system. These speakers can provide an immersive listening experience by filling the room and creating a detailed soundstage.

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

S5m

reviews

[{"title":"Perlisten Audio S5m Loudspeaker Review","link":"https://www.stereonet.com/reviews/perlisten-audio-s5m-loudspeaker-review","source":"StereoNET","datePublished":"2024"},{"title":"Audiophile THX Speakers! Perlisten S5M Home Theater Speaker Review w/ 805 D4 & Parasound JC5","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrfQitNbFAU","source":"Shane Lee","datePublished":"2022"},{"title":"It ENDS Here! PERLISTEN THX Dominus Home Theater Speaker Review + Demos","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59t-y2X4-KM","source":"Shane Lee","datePublished":"2023"}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022

Manufacturer details

  • Enclosure alignment: 3-way bass reflex / acoustic suspension
  • Driver compliment: DPC-Array: 28mm Beryllium 28mm(2) Textreme TPCD Woofers: 180mm(2) Textreme TPCD
  • Sensitivity: 89.6dB / 2.83v / 1.0m
  • Impedance: 4Ω nominal / 3.0Ω min
  • Frequency Response (+/-1.5dB): 80 - 20kHz
  • Frequency Response (-10dB) Bass reflex: 35 - 37kHz
  • Acoustic suspension: 41 - 37kHz
  • Typical in room bass extension Bass reflex: 29Hz Acoustic suspension: 32Hz
  • Dimensions (HxWxD) without stand: 600 x 240 x 400mm (23.6 x 9.5 x 15.7")
  • Weight: 19.0 kg (41.8 lbs.)
  • Recommended Amplifier Power: 50 - 300W RMS
  • SPL capability (100-20kHz): 117dB peak <2% - 2nd, 3rd Harmonics
  • Certification: THX Dominus, THX Ultra
With Effortless dynamics and lightspeed transients, the S5m will reveal layers within the recording that you have never heard before. The S5m is designed to have extended low-frequency response as low as 29Hz in most rooms and Reignite that passion for your favorite music catalog.
With Effortless dynamics and lightspeed transients, the S5m will reveal layers within the recording that you have never heard before. The S5m is designed to have extended low-frequency response as low as 29Hz in most rooms and Reignite that passion for your favorite music catalog. "Hear what's hidden in the music you love"© Sharing technologies and drivers from the flagshipt S7t. When the highest fidelity is what matters most.

Featuring our proprietary DPC-Array controlling Mid/High frequencies, centered by our finest 28mm Beryllium dome and dual 28mm TPCD ultra-lightweight domes. All transducers are developed ground up by our engineers – bringing decades of research, culminating in this world class design. We teamed up with companies in the USA and Sweden to bring modern material science to hi-fi.

Utilizing advanced Comsol acoustical modeling, our DPC-array is the result of 18 months of painstaking simulations and prototyping. The result is one of the most technologically advanced loudspeakers available. This new tweeter/waveguide DPC-Array delivers amazing accuracy, smoothness, and directivity control to handle the critical vocal range and delicate treble.

All S-Series speakers share the same DPC-Array and benefit from our unique timbre matching technique across the entire series. Custom bass drivers made from thin-ply carbon diaphragms (TPCD) can be configured as bass ref...
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:

  • The DPC (Directivity Pattern Control) array, with its computer-modeled waveguide and specific driver arrangement, delivers exceptional soundstage cohesion and image placement, creating a more immersive listening experience.
  • The brand employs a multi-driver design with carefully chosen materials, such as beryllium and thin-ply carbon diaphragms, to achieve ultra-low distortion and precise sound reproduction.
  • Perlisten products are designed for seamless integration, achieving true timbre matching across their range of in-room, in-wall, and in-ceiling speakers, ideal for creating comprehensive audio/video systems.
  • They are the first to achieve THX Certified Dominus status, indicating these speakers offer high output with low distortion, and can fill large rooms without compromising sonic quality.

R5T

  • Positioning: The entry-level model in the R-Series lineup.
  • Description: Offers a great balance of performance and affordability, featuring the DPC-Array technology for precise sound control. Uses 165mm woofers made from HPF pulp, providing a rich bass experience, similar to the R7T but with fewer woofers, making it ideal for smaller rooms and tighter budgets.

R7T

  • Positioning: A mid-range model in the R-Series, offering advanced features at a competitive price.
  • Description: Features DPC-Array and long-excursion woofers, delivering low distortion and excellent directivity. Shares many technologies with the S-Series, like the S5T, but at a more accessible price point.

S5T

  • Positioning: A high-performance model in the S-Series, designed for slightly smaller rooms.
  • Description: Features advanced DPC-Array and thin-ply carbon diaphragm woofers, offering nearly the same SPL and sensitivity as the S7T. Provides a full-range performance similar to the flagship S7T but in a more compact form.

S7T

  • Positioning: The flagship model in the S-Series, representing the pinnacle of Perlisten's audio technology.
  • Description: Features DPC-Array and beryllium dome tweeters, delivering exceptional accuracy and dynamic range. Offers the most sophisticated sound experience in the lineup.
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Avg. Product Price
$5,001-$10,000
Used For Sale
1
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
138
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
35
Founding Year
2016

Our take on the brand

Perlisten Audio's speakers feature a unique Directivity Pattern Control array that combines a beryllium tweeter with thin-ply carbon diaphragm midrange drivers to control sound dispersion and enhance imaging precision, and they're the first brand to achieve THX Dominus certification. Their speakers use proprietary thin-ply carbon diaphragm material that's 30% lighter than standard carbon fiber, with their DPC array designed to minimize floor and ceiling reflections while maintaining precise horizontal soundstage.

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?

As for as tech breakthroughs, we have our patented DPC array: a tweeter inside two midranges. This improves sensitivity and dynamics through such light drivers (3g or less).

Across our entire line, you’re getting 3D soundstaging, detail, dynamics, and low distortion. Most noticeable to the listener is the way sound propagates throughout the room: we focus on a wide dispersion left and right, and slightly limit it top to bottom to minimize first reflections on the floor and ceiling. This makes the speakers easier to place.

As you move up price in our line, the extent to which we do this passive beamforming on the vertical axis descends into a lower and lower frequency.

What's your approach to customer support?

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

What other products pair best with yours?

Perlistens are generally not difficult to run. Take the S7t for example: High 80s, low 90s sensitivity. That can run with anything. But, because Perlistens can play so loud, they do like a lot of power to fully show off.

Two brands we generally pair Perlisten with: On the upper end is Audioflight from Italy. On the budget friendly end, Primare. But they've been paired with so much—we haven't come across a pairing they don't work with unless it's a 3W triode tube amp due to insufficient power.

From our interview with
Eric Smith
.
Brand Page

Used

Perlisten

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What if you spend more?

Product image
Audio Note
AN-J
10500
10500
/
7
Reviews

The design of the AN-J Loudspeaker, by contrast, follows an altogether different philosophy. It calls for a cabinet that complements the chosen drive units, rather than fighting against them. Instead of trying to kill the resonances, we tailor the cabinet to place them in frequency bands where they aid and enhance the operation of the drive units, culminating in a loudspeaker system that makes the most of the preceding amplifier’s output. The material choice for the cabinet is an area where a great deal of research and development has taken place. Over the years, we have tried many different materials and combinations, a time consuming endeavour culminating in the current design, which utilises the highest quality birch ply for the entire cabinet. Bracing and internal damping is kept to a minimum and strategically applied to help, not hinder the drivers.

Audio Note UK is one of Europe's largest manufacturers of valve-based audio equipment, designing and producing nearly all components in-house, including transformers and capacitors. The brand has achieved cult status among audiophiles who appreciate its minimalist, non-oversampling approach and its emphasis on musicality over technical specifications.
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Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Solid bass performance for a speaker of its size
  • Able to do justice to any genre of music and at realistic volume levels
  • Very easy to drive
  • Offers a balanced presentation from top to bottom with seamlessness between the woofer and tweeter
  • Started sounding like far more than a pair of 8″ two-way monitors when properly positioned along the side walls

Product Considerations

  • Achieving the best imaging and deep bass may require experimenting with toe-in and distance from corners and the back wall
  • Does not provide much forward/backward information, with the image typically stopping at the outer edge of the speakers
  • The basic 'D' model comes only in black ash veneer, while higher-end models offer more choices
  • Bass can be overblown if not adjusted properly in room placement

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The AN-E has more bass, is easier to drive, and has a bigger presentation
  • Some may prefer the J because they find it a more taught presentation in the mid bass, as well as more "present" in the voice band

Takeaway:

The AN-J is a near full-range loudspeaker capable of articulation and organic flow, making music sound natural and engaging. If someone is looking for a communicative quality that remains consistent wherever they listen, then the AN-J could be a good fit.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Audio Note UK is one of Europe's largest manufacturers of valve-based audio equipment, designing and producing nearly all components in-house, including transformers and capacitors. The brand has achieved cult status among audiophiles who appreciate its minimalist, non-oversampling approach and its emphasis on musicality over technical specifications.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
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KEF
Reference 1 Meta
10200
10200
/
7
Reviews

The one standmount model in the Reference series could be the only loudspeaker you ever need. A three-way model boasting KEF’s 12th generation Uni-Q® driver array with MAT™, Reference 1 Meta is capable of delivering expansive, high-performance sound that goes way beyond what its relatively compact size would suggest was possible.

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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Product Strengths

  • Balanced, refined, and musical performance
  • Fine stereo imaging and a wide—beautifully focused—soundstage
  • Impressive bass power and authority for a standmount speaker
  • Excellent build quality and finish
  • Uni-Q driver produces a consistent dispersion pattern

Product Considerations

  • Demands an amplifier with plenty of power due to its low sensitivity (85dB/W/m) and 4 Ohm impedance (minimum 3.2 Ohms)
  • Dedicated stands are expensive (S-RF1)

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4: Sounds larger-scale, more muscular, and punchy

Takeaway: The KEF Reference 1 Meta is a superb speaker combining excellent sound with clever engineering, well suited for audiophiles looking for a high-quality listening experience. It delivers an immersive and detailed soundstage.

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
Bowers & Wilkins
805 D4 Signature
13500
13500
/
7
Reviews
Bowers & Wilkins pioneered the use of Kevlar fibers in speaker cones and developed the Matrix cabinet design, which significantly reduces cabinet resonance and sound coloration. Their Nautilus speaker, introduced in 1993, features the distinctive Nautilus tube tweeter design that minimizes sound resonance, while their dedicated Steyning Research facility has produced breakthroughs like the Continuum cone for improved audio transparency.
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Product Strengths

  • Adept at handling complex compositions and uncovering the finest sonic detail without losing track of the musical picture as a whole
  • Gets listeners closer than ever to the artist's intent
  • Excellent sense of detail, of boundaries naturally drawn
  • High-frequencies sound realistic and natural

Product Considerations

  • Low frequencies were somewhat lightweight
  • With such a tipped-up tweeter, the resulting sound could be too bright
  • Due to a lack of boundary reinforcement, Bowers & Wilkins speakers with top-mounted tweeters always drop off below around 5kHz

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Versus Magico A1, Magico A1 aim for pure neutrality
  • Versus Dynaudio Confidence 20, Dynaudio Confidence 20 is for listeners who just want to enjoy their music

Takeaway: The 805 D4 makes music sound very realistic and clear, almost as if you are there. It can make a small room feel big with its sound.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Bowers & Wilkins pioneered the use of Kevlar fibers in speaker cones and developed the Matrix cabinet design, which significantly reduces cabinet resonance and sound coloration. Their Nautilus speaker, introduced in 1993, features the distinctive Nautilus tube tweeter design that minimizes sound resonance, while their dedicated Steyning Research facility has produced breakthroughs like the Continuum cone for improved audio transparency.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
Focal
Diablo Utopia Colour Evo
10499
10499
/
6
Reviews
Focal is a French hifi brand that makes their own drivers in-house, including their highly-regarded beryllium tweeters and unique slatefiber mid/bass drivers made from recycled carbon fiber. Their speakers and headphones feature distinctive technologies like their "W" sandwich cone design for optimal driver performance and Mimi Sound Personalization that adapts audio to individual hearing profiles.
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Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Features a 1-inch pure beryllium inverted dome tweeter that rests inside its own chamber, which acts as a tuned resonator, and helps give the speaker its iconic profile
  • The cabinet's shape helps to mechanically time-align the two drivers and optimize the phase between them
  • Bass is firm, free of any distortion or boominess, and agile when driven correctly with a capable amplifier
  • The speaker is neutral throughout the midrange, and clear, focused, and detailed
  • Transparency to the music and resulting 3-dimensional soundstage that is boundary-defying in almost all directions, with dynamics close second only to the La Scala

Product Considerations

  • For true full-range playback, a subwoofer is required
  • The beryllium tweeter has the ability to showcase the flaws in poor recordings
  • Sound improves the more upmarket the accompanying equipment is
  • Amplification pairing is vital and can drastically change the sound
  • Placement of these speakers in different spots in the room changed the sound drastically

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The Diablo's have more detail on tap but remain smooth and realistic, with the midrange being leaner but cleaner than the Fleetwood Deville SQ
  • The Diablo will offer everything the Sonus Faber Sopra 1 does—and even more

Takeaway: The Focal Diablo Utopia Color Evo speakers are transparent and reveal details in music with incredible imaging, making for a fun listening experience. To hear all the nuances in music, these speakers could be a great choice.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Focal is a French hifi brand that makes their own drivers in-house, including their highly-regarded beryllium tweeters and unique slatefiber mid/bass drivers made from recycled carbon fiber. Their speakers and headphones feature distinctive technologies like their "W" sandwich cone design for optimal driver performance and Mimi Sound Personalization that adapts audio to individual hearing profiles.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

What competes at this price?

Bowers & Wilkins
805 D4
9500
/
Released
2021
Little Diamond 805 D4 might be smaller than its tower speaker siblings, but it's no lightweight: its beautifully constructed Reverse-Wrap cabinet, stiff aluminum bass pods and 165mm (6.5-in) Continuum™ mid-bass cone afford it exceptional bass extension and scale for a relatively compact speaker.
Check Amazon
Bowers & Wilkins pioneered the use of Kevlar fibers in speaker cones and developed the Matrix cabinet design, which significantly reduces cabinet resonance and sound coloration. Their Nautilus speaker, introduced in 1993, features the distinctive Nautilus tube tweeter design that minimizes sound resonance, while their dedicated Steyning Research facility has produced breakthroughs like the Continuum cone for improved audio transparency.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  •   Excellent build quality, featuring a blend of aluminum, leather, and wood veneer, or gloss paint.
  •   Detailed sound with excellent stereo imagery.
  •   Good detail and clarity.
  •   Wide and deep soundstage.
  •   Design features contribute to cabinet rigidity and reduced coloration.

Product Considerations

  •   May sound bright with the wrong amplifier or cables.
  •   May require a high-power solid-state amp.
  •   Needs quality amplification and may sound soft if underpowered.
  •   Requires stands, adding to the overall cost.
  •   Bass may not satisfy those seeking high-output bass without a subwoofer.

Takeaway: The 805 D4 is an excellent speaker that is beautifully built and delivers a detailed and engaging sound. It's a great option for those seeking a premium listening experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Bowers & Wilkins pioneered the use of Kevlar fibers in speaker cones and developed the Matrix cabinet design, which significantly reduces cabinet resonance and sound coloration. Their Nautilus speaker, introduced in 1993, features the distinctive Nautilus tube tweeter design that minimizes sound resonance, while their dedicated Steyning Research facility has produced breakthroughs like the Continuum cone for improved audio transparency.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Gershman
Studio II
5500
/
Released
Gershman Studio II Delivers performance beyond what is typically associated with its price.
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Gershman Acoustics speakers use Back-wave Control Technology and bass trap designs to deliver deep, controlled bass from compact enclosures, defying expectations about speaker size and performance. Their unique cabinet designs, including truncated pyramid shapes and resonance control devices, help create an intimate, club-like listening experience with exceptional clarity and precision.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Full-range sound, impressive bass response, and the ability to pressurize a room, often negating the need for a separate subwoofer
  • Smooth, warm, and coherent midrange provides natural and engaging vocals and instruments for long listening sessions without fatigue
  • Well-extended treble presents in a naturally smooth, enjoyable, and pleasing manner
  • Excellent imaging and soundstage capabilities create a realistic and immersive listening experience
  • Sound reproduction makes it a speaker that one can live with
  • Connectivity options are available

Product Considerations

  • Quality amplification with sufficient power and current is required to achieve optimal performance and control the woofer effectively
  • The backplate for bass adjustment uses wood screws, making it easy to strip if not handled carefully
  • Placement and setup, especially stand height and toe-in, are crucial for achieving the best high-frequency response, it can sound dull if not optimized
  • May not be ideal for listeners who prefer a brighter, more forward sound signature or those who prioritize extreme loudness levels
  • Grilles may cause micro-rattling at moderate to loud listening levels due to weaker magnets

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Totem Acoustic Manny 2 Signature: The Studio 2 has a more forgiving presentation, denser midrange, and stronger bass
  • Vs Klipsch Forte 3: The Studio 2 offers a more natural tone, especially in the midrange and upper bass, along with greater soundstage depth
  • Vs Vienna Acoustics Mozart Symphony Editions: The Studio 2 beats them in bass and midrange
  • Vs Harbeth (SHL5 and Compact 7 XTs): The Studio 2 cannot be matched by the Harbeth's articulate bass response
  • Vs Celestion SL6-S: The Studio 2 has deeper roots in the trunk, and they got high branches and leaves, but they don't go all the way up to the highest branches and leaves at the tippy top

Takeaway:

The Studio 2 is a well-built bookshelf speaker that delivers a smooth, full-range sound with surprising bass and clear imaging, making for an engaging listening experience. With the right setup and quality components, these speakers can provide years of musical enjoyment in a variety of room sizes.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Gershman Acoustics speakers use Back-wave Control Technology and bass trap designs to deliver deep, controlled bass from compact enclosures, defying expectations about speaker size and performance. Their unique cabinet designs, including truncated pyramid shapes and resonance control devices, help create an intimate, club-like listening experience with exceptional clarity and precision.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Dynaudio
Focus 10
5500
/
Released
2022
Focus 10 is more than just a pair of active loudspeakers. It's a complete music system, packed from top to bottom with the technology that's taken Dynaudio to legendary status – allied with the most cutting-edge wireless features we could think of. And we thought of a lot.
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Dynaudio is a hifi speaker brand known for its unique external voice-coil construction, which allows for larger voice coils that improve thermal power handling and reduce thermal compression. The brand has a heritage in professional sound production and uses advanced materials like the Esotar 40 tweeter and rare 240mm drivers to deliver superior dynamic realism and headroom.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Integrated technology allows direct high-resolution listening without extra devices
  • The speaker uses the same Pascal Class D amplification and processing technology from Dynaudio's Pro line Core series
  • Discrete amplification channel per driver: 110 watts for the tweeter and 280 watts for the woofer
  • Dirac Live room correction is available, which can tune some of the annoying sounds of a garage, for example, using the soft dome tweeter

Product Considerations

  • Running a digital coaxial cable from one speaker to the next results in the signal being sent at 24-96 kilohertz, which is a lower quality than what the master speaker receives (24-192)
  • There is no HDMI arc or e-arc connection
  • Drilling holes may be required to attach the speaker to stands
  • Setting up the speaker with the app is not as quick or seamless as Bluesound
  • A microphone is required to do Dirac room calibration

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs PSB Alpha IQs: Plays louder with a higher level of amplification
  • Vs Dynaudio Core 7: The Core 7 has more power and a slightly better tweeter and woofer, but is not as aesthetically pleasing and needs a Bluesound Node
  • Vs Dynaudio Evoke: It is similar to an Evoke speaker, but with a bigger woofer

Takeaway: The Focus recMsY5ljWopDD7UU is a sophisticated wireless speaker that pulls technology from Dynaudio's Pro line and features Dirac room calibration. It is ideal for someone looking for high-resolution listening without extra devices and who values sophisticated sound and aesthetics.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Dynaudio is a hifi speaker brand known for its unique external voice-coil construction, which allows for larger voice coils that improve thermal power handling and reduce thermal compression. The brand has a heritage in professional sound production and uses advanced materials like the Esotar 40 tweeter and rare 240mm drivers to deliver superior dynamic realism and headroom.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
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Arendal Sound
1528 Monitor 8
5900
/
Released
2024
1528 Monitor 8 Generating a powerful sound in a (slightly) less imposing form factor than 1528 Towers, 1528 Monitors deliver a clarity and depth that outshines many floor-standing speakers. Feel every detail with stunning precision, deep bass, and a rich, immersive soundstage. Sleek, modern design and versatile settings ensure perfect sound tailored to your environment. Enjoy full-range sound without needing a subwoofer.
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Arendal Sound is a Norwegian-designed hifi brand whose 1723 series is THX Ultra certified for rooms up to 3,000 cubic feet, featuring cabinets made from high-density fiberboard instead of standard MDF for better sonic performance. Their speakers use a distinctive waveguide-loaded tweeter design for controlled dispersion and lower crossover points, while their subwoofers feature the Avalanche 1200 IQ amplifier with an LCD control interface.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Exceptionally well-built, described as monolithic and like concrete bricks
  • The tweeter provides detailed highs, comparable to a good AMT tweeter, and performs effortlessly even at high volumes
  • The midrange is special, with a carbon graphene construction for well-behaved out-of-band performance and high output
  • The speaker's design allows for significant room gain, providing real bass extension below 20 Hz
  • Immense potential, described to be a top shelf product

Product Considerations

  • The image was a little high
  • The speakers want power from a good amplifier to really open up
  • The listener might not always be as emotionally convinced by the result as they perhaps should have been
  • The speakers are large and may be obtrusive for most UK spaces

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • vs Paradigm Founder 120Hs: Similar to the Paradigm Founder 120Hs, which have active jumpers
  • vs RBH SVTRs: The reviewer loves the RBH SVTRs, and these new speakers are being tested to see if they can be a game changer in the industry
  • vs Spendor Classic 3-1: Arendal 1528 is neutral from top to bottom, while Spendor is warm from top to bottom
  • vs Cabasse Morano: Cabasse Morano has some coloration, but the Arendal 1528 is dead neutral

Takeaway:

The Arundel Sound 1528 recMsY5ljWopDD7UU speakers are incredibly well-built with high-quality components that deliver an excellent listening experience. They are capable of filling large rooms with detailed sound and powerful bass.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Arendal Sound is a Norwegian-designed hifi brand whose 1723 series is THX Ultra certified for rooms up to 3,000 cubic feet, featuring cabinets made from high-density fiberboard instead of standard MDF for better sonic performance. Their speakers use a distinctive waveguide-loaded tweeter design for controlled dispersion and lower crossover points, while their subwoofers feature the Avalanche 1200 IQ amplifier with an LCD control interface.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Triangle
Magellan Duetto 40th
6250
/
Released
2022
Liveliness and dynamics are trademarks of TRIANGLE's sound, and they are packed into this gem, the Duetto, a compact 2-way bookshelf speaker. Superb piece of engineering, its horn-loaded tweeter TZ2900 is equipped with a next generation dome in magnesium alloy.
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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.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • The Magellan line represents Triangle's 'all out, cost no object designs'—making these speakers among the best the brand makes
  • The tweeter provides an accurate, smooth, and fluid musical quality, highlighting fine details and upper harmonics
  • The midrange/bass driver delivers firm and dynamic bass frequencies while maintaining clarity and finesse in the vocal register
  • They offer fantastic clarity and an open sound, making listening to music an exciting experience—allowing listeners to soak it all in
  • The speaker creates a wide sweet spot great for listening with more than one person

Product Considerations

  • The speakers can sound overly bright, hard-edged, and forward if not properly run-in, requiring a break-in period before critical listening
  • They need careful partnering with electronics to avoid an overly bright sound, as they aren't particularly forgiving of aggressive recordings or brighter-sounding equipment
  • The bass may sound weak in a large room, so Triangle suggests a small to medium room for these speakers
  • The packaging may not be sufficient, as the speakers are heavy and shipped in one box, potentially damaging the packing materials
  • Siting can be critical, with placement affecting the bass quality—positioning them too close to the rear wall can negatively impact the bass

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Børresen X1: The Triangle Magellan Duetto has a more open and airy sound, whereas the X1 has a more bass-centric sound
  • Vs Daniel Hertz Ambers and Focal Diablo: The Triangle Magellan Duetto offers more musical information

Takeaway: The Triangle Magellan Duetto is a high-end bookshelf speaker known for its clarity, detail, and engaging sound. Beautifully crafted, they are a great way to enjoy music if a detailed and lively sound is desired.

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.
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Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
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