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
Model S-15
reviews
Manufacturer details
- Frequency range: 120 – 22k Hz
- Max SPL @ 1m: 114 dB
- Amplification needed: 1 channel
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 26.0 x 20.0 x 7.9 cm (10.2 x 7.8 x 3.1 in)
- Weight: 4.4 kg (9.7 lbs)
- Finish: Matte black, satin silver, high gloss black, high gloss white, custom finishes available
Logic-defying performance
The performance of the petite Model S is nothing short of extraordinary. The reason is partly due to the innovative design of the Steinway & Sons Model S-15 speaker. Because the Model S-15 relegates bass duties to boundary woofers, it reproduces only high and midrange frequencies, and it does both with incredible volume capabilities and zero distortion. Its legendary performance makes it a perfect match for medium-sized high-performance home theaters.
Ambience enhancing radiation
A key feature of the Model S-15 speaker is its innovative AER (Ambience Enhancing Radiation) dipole tweeter design. This design disperses the highest frequencies, which produces a spacious and live effect throughout the listening room, similar to the effect you get from our flagship Model D speaker or a live instrument.
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:
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Steinway Sons Model A
- Positioning: Entry-level line, designed for affordability and compactness.
- Description: Features a straightforward digital design that offers clear sound reproduction ideal for small rooms and tight budgets. Compared to the more advanced products in the lineup, provides basic functionality without the extended processing capabilities seen in Models B, C, LS Concert, and D.
Steinway Sons Model B
- Positioning: Mid-tier option blending balanced costs with reliable performance.
- Description: Incorporates enhanced circuitry and improved soundstage technology that deliver a richer listening experience for medium-sized setups. When compared to Model A and the higher-end options, adds better digital control and expanded frequency response.
Steinway Sons Model C MK II
- Positioning: Mid-high product offering refined performance for dedicated enthusiasts.
- Description: Introduces an upgraded digital-to-analog conversion system and advanced processing that yield a more detailed and dynamic sound. Relative to Models A and B, its extended dynamic range and sound staging approach those seen in the top-tier LS Concert and Model D.
Steinway Sons LS Concert
- Positioning: High-end solution aimed at larger spaces and professional settings.
- Description: Offers cutting-edge audio processing and exceptional build quality that create an expansive sound field and precise imaging suitable for larger rooms and demanding setups. In contrast with the lower-tier systems, its enhanced connectivity and advanced digital performance set it apart, yet it is less feature-saturated than the flagship Model D.
Steinway Sons Model D
- Positioning: Flagship model representing the pinnacle of technology and performance.
- Description: Integrates groundbreaking digital circuitry and audio processing innovations to deliver ultra-precise sound reproduction with an exceptionally wide soundstage for professional-grade applications. While Model D outstrips the others in technological sophistication and connectivity, it is positioned at the highest price level, making it the top choice for users with premium budgets and the most demanding functionality needs.
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Used
Steinway Lyngdorf
What if you spend more?
Magico’s flagship loudspeaker, the incomparable M9, was as much a tour de forceengineering exercise as a finished product. The knowledge distilled and technological advances gained in the M9 development have been applied to the new S3 which reaps the rewards of those monumental efforts. With new state-of-the-art R&D capabilities, we set out to redesign the S3 Mk II loudspeaker to achieve audible improvements in every parameter. With new enclosure, drivers, and coupling system, the S3 accomplishes far more than the initial design brief. Page 1 of 6 The technologies and construction techniques leveraged in the new S3 achieve a purity of sound and measured performance that surpassed our expectations. The new Magico S3 shatters the boundaries of performance for a speaker in its class.
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Beautifully finished cabinet constructed from heavy metal, using four extruded aluminum panels
- Delivers a presentation that's vivid, refined, and compelling
- Low distortion and an absence of cabinet resonance allows the listener to hear deeper into the music
- Images like a point source, but has three-way midrange clarity and gut-punching bass
- Extremely transparent and uncolored, making it very responsive to changes in upstream components
Product Considerations
- May require careful system matching to avoid revealing flaws in the upstream components due to its high resolution
- Bass response below 30Hz may not be particularly satisfying
- Some reviewers noted that the grilles are sonically intrusive
- Heavyweight hifi typically requires assistance in its unboxing and installation, given the weight and the sheer size of the wooden packing crate in which it's delivered
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Magico S3 MKII—the new S3 has been completely revised and re-engineered, using techniques and technologies developed for the M9 flagship, with a 30% quieter enclosure
Takeaway:
The Magico S3 delivers a pure and detailed sound, making music feel vibrant and dynamic, without adding its own color. If you want to really hear what your music and audio equipment can do, the S3 is a great pick.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Especially revealing, setting a benchmark for revealing the details in recordings
- Delivers dynamics, tonal balance, and harmonics of instruments, such as the piano, in a way that is very reminiscent of the real thing
- Able to reproduce low bass to upper treble with a minimal sense that some frequency bands are peaky, emphasized, or depressed
- Reduces loudspeaker error through comprehensive engineering efforts, including driver design, cabinet materials, and systems integration
Product Considerations
- Does not radically change the task list of major audio problems like bass in real rooms, the flaws of stereo, or digital distortions
- Will render some recordings harder to enjoy because those recordings are flawed
- Some listeners may prefer more tone shaping than what is offered, such as a bass boost or frequency response adjustments
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to other speakers, draws clearer distinctions between the engineering of different recordings
Takeaway: The Magico S5 (2024) minimizes coloration to provide a revealing and accurate sound, allowing listeners to focus on the recording and the music itself. It is a great choice for audiophiles who want to hear what is truly on the recording, offering a potentially transformative listening experience.
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.
Hailey 3 delivers the life-like, natural sound which is the hallmark of YG, combined with an effortless sense of scale which is surprising for its compact size. This ultra-high-end loudspeaker mirrors the technologies of the Sonja 3 in a more compact cabinet. The result is an astonishing sonic performance combined with the best of engineering and craftsmanship.
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 micro-detail 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
- Delivers an immersive experience and are incredibly musical
- Integration of the drivers create the feeling of one big full range speaker
- High resolution and low distortion without ever feeling harsh, and value tonal accuracy
- Effortless presentation comes from the low distortion and careful attention to maximizing phase coherence
- Seamless clarity offers a musical experience that is not only realistic, but non-fatiguing
Product Considerations
- The best cables and components are needed to get the most these speakers can deliver
- The highly revealing nature is further emphasized during the setup process, when it was time to attach the jumpers between the three sets of binding posts on the rear of the speakers
- The speaker lacked a certain warmth
Takeaway: The Hailey 3s create a massive soundfield with incredible coherence, which makes them a top-tier speaker. The speakers deliver engagement and musicality with the help of science without relinquishing what made YG Acoustics of the past special.
Video review
Our take on the brand
For High End Munich 2024, Stenheim introduced its new Alumine Five platform for the Alumine Five models. This elegant aluminium plinth is machined from solid billet and achieves the same effect as the Reference Platform developed for the Reference series, increasing stability and making fine-tuning the set-up far simpler through increased adjustability of height and rake. These parameters are set via discrete allen bolts on top of the spikes, different sets of which can be selected to suit different floor types. Sound is also improved thanks to the superior vibration damping that the Alumine Five platform offers. The platform can be retrofitted to any Alumine Five
The Alumine Five SX is derived from the award-winning Alumine Five SE, itself a version of the Alumine Five with increased specification (see above). The Alumine Five SX is additionally equipped with a room control panel on the rear, originally seen on the more expensive Reference Ultime Two model, which enables different bass-treble profiles to be selected to adjust for room specifics. Sound quality is yet further enhanced by a new grounding post which allows the speaker to be connected to a grounding system. The Alumine Five SX is immediately recognizable by its anodized tweeter horn and side bars. This phenomenal speaker is then set upon the Alumine Five plinth to complete the Alumine Five SX package
Like all Stenheim speakers, the Alumine Five SX and Alumine Five LE are designed and hand-built to order in Switzerland. They are a 3-way design featuring crossovers engineered with the finest quality components from boutique suppliers such as Mundorf and Jantzen and are equipped with highly efficient custom-built drivers (94 dB) enabling a wide variety of amplification to be used. The Five SX and Five LE models are a further step in Stenheim's mission of providing the ultimate in loudspeaker performance for discerning music lovers, and top the Alumine range.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- High sensitivity and easy drivability
- Clean performance without being sterile or colorless
- Good at reproducing spatial information on stereo recordings
- Elegant look and smaller size makes it easier to place and live with
- Well-made PHL cone drivers
Product Considerations
- The Alumine Five is very heavy
- The Alumine Five is very expensive
Takeaway: The Alumine speakers are good quality speakers that have high sensitivity, are easy to drive, and can reproduce spatial information on stereo recordings well. They have an elegant look and will perform well in a home sound system.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
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 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
Our Summary
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
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent clarity, detail resolution, and agility in sound reproduction
- Impressive bass definition and punch, delivering huge amounts of bass effortlessly
- Combines muscularity, insight, scale, and attack for an engaging listening experience
- Design is unique and striking, with impeccable build quality and a flawless finish
- Offers extensive specification and numerous control options, all implemented expertly
Product Considerations
- Sonic presentation might be a little too 'safe' or 'civilizing', potentially losing some of the vibrant energy in music
- Lacks some features compared to competitors regarding connectivity and adjustability
- Requires a large listening space to avoid overpowering the room
- The provided remote casing feels cheap and insubstantial compared to the overall package
- Room correction (ADAPT) is not as automated or precise as some other systems and the application may crash
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs KEF LS60 Wireless: KEF LS60 offers more flexibility, including a subwoofer output, but at higher volumes, Focal Diva is the clear winner
- Vs Bang & Olufsen Beolab 90: Beolab 90 is in a league of its own and provides a more complete audio experience
- Vs Scala Utopia Evo: Diva Utopia is cheaper in the long run, as the Scala Utopia Evo needs additional components, such as Naim Classic components
- Vs Diablo Utopia Color Evos: The Color Evos may represent the ultimate Focal experience
Takeaway: The Diva Utopia is an all-in-one speaker with impressive sound that expertly combines performance and design. It offers a unique blend of luxury and high-end audio quality that can be enjoyed by anyone looking for a simplified audiophile experience.
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