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
- Exceptional build quality, with precise joins between the aluminum panels
- High sensitivity (93dB) allows for a wide range of amplification choices
- Offers excellent sound, meticulous execution, and a density of thought approached by very few similarly priced speakers
- The midrange and treble reproduction was the finest ever heard in the reviewer's room—providing spot-on tonal accuracy combined with transparency that was second to none
- Fleshed-out 3D sounds float in the air so completely devoid of the cabinets they were emanating from that it was downright eerie
Product Considerations
- Bass output and extension are lacking, requiring careful room placement or a subwoofer
- Can sound too light and thin if not properly positioned to leverage room gain
- May require a lot more experimentation with placement than with most speakers to achieve satisfactory bass output
- Aesthetically, the Two isn't going to win any beauty pageants—the design has a plain-looking rectilinear cabinet
- The Alumine Two's thin-wall cabinet is beautifully machined from 10mm aluminum sheet, precisely jointed and bolted together and to a 15mm front baffle by a host of machine screws and strategically placed brackets
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Focal Sopra No1: Alumine Two edged out the Sopra No1s through the midrange with aural images that were slightly more chiseled and defined in space—the Twos had more solidity and definition, but at high volume levels, the Focal speakers were a tad easier to listen to compared to the Stenheims
Takeaway: The Alumine Two is a meticulously crafted speaker that can deliver exceptional midrange and treble clarity with proper setup. If transparency and a detailed soundstage are prioritized and experimentation with positioning or the use of a subwoofer is acceptable, they could be worth the investment.
All
Alumine Two
reviews
Manufacturer details
- Type: Passive 2 way bookshelf speaker
- Drivers: 1x 16.5cm (6.5'') woofer, 1x 2.6cm (1'') soft dome tweeter
- Design: Front bass reflex
- Frequency response: 45Hz to 30kHz
- Sensitivity: 93dB SPL, half space
- Power handling: 100W RMS, 200W Peak
- Minimum recommended power: 5W
- Nominal impedance: 8 Ohms (minimum 6 Ohms)
- Dimensions: Height 33cm (13'') x Width 23cm (9'') x Depth 27.5cm (10.8'')
- Weight: 17 kg (37.5lbs) each
- Warranty: 5 years
At Stenheim, we started out by questioning the fundamental thinking, technological choices, and materials behind conventional designs. That led us to some surprising conclusions – answers that contradicted conventional thinking and fashionable theory: Solutions that: discarded the measured benefits of high-tech cone materials in favour of the musical advantages of more traditional approaches mandated low-loss, phase-coherent crossovers with sophisticated out-of-band roll-offs selected the low-storage signature of a critically damped aluminium cabinet using innovative, low-volume damping materials.
And behind each decision? The drive to maintain the life and energy in the music, the essence of the original performance. That's all very well in theory, but we had to demonstrate it in practice. So was born the Alumine Two, a little speaker that sounds much bigger than it looks. A speaker that, despite its compact dimensions embodies all our fundamental design principles: A larger than e...
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:
- Stenheim designs and manufactures speakers featuring robust aluminum enclosures, achieved through precision CNC machining and internal bracing, to minimize cabinet resonance and maximize internal volume.
- These speakers uniquely combine traditional driver materials like coated silk-dome tweeters and pulp-cone woofers with the modern, high-rigidity aluminum cabinets, providing a balance of warmth, detail, and dynamic expression.
- They are intentionally designed with high sensitivity and a stable impedance, making them relatively easy to drive with a wide range of amplifiers, including low-powered tube amplifiers.
- Stenheim emphasizes a strategic collaboration with driver manufacturers like PHL, allowing them to precisely tailor driver specifications, mechanical characteristics, and surface coatings to meet their desired sonic signature.
Select products
Alumine Three
- Positioning: The compact, high-quality speaker in the Stenheim lineup, offering a more accessible entry point for audiophiles.
- Description: Delivers exceptional sound quality in a compact form, making it ideal for smaller rooms or those seeking portability. It shares core technologies with the Alumine Five, such as high efficiency and aluminum construction, but its smaller size allows for high performance at a lower price point, making it suitable for those with budget constraints or limited space.
Reference Ultime Two
- Positioning: The most compact model in the Reference line, designed for larger spaces and powerful systems.
- Description: Offers deep bass and dynamic sound, ideal for filling large rooms with captivating audio. It features a full d'Appolito design and advanced cabinet construction, providing deeper bass and better transient response than the Alumine series.
Reference Ultime Three
- Positioning: A high-end floorstanding speaker in the Reference line, designed for large spaces and ultimate sound quality.
- Description: Delivers a massive, cohesive soundstage with deep bass and high-frequency clarity, ideal for large rooms and immersive listening experiences. It features a complex driver array and optional active crossover, offering more detailed and authentic sound compared to the Reference Ultime Two.
Statement
- Positioning: The flagship model in the Stenheim lineup, offering the pinnacle of audio performance and design.
- Description: Provides groundbreaking sound rendition with exceptional dynamics and a natural soundstage, suitable for the most discerning audiophiles. It features a complex multi-way system with active crossovers and motorized angle adjustment, offering the most advanced technology and performance in the lineup, making it ideal for those seeking the ultimate in sound quality and willing to invest significantly in their audio system.
Our take on the brand
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Used
Stenheim
What if you spend more?
Majestic Performance Meets Unparalleled Engineering The SuperMon Isobaric was created to bring about a revolution in the audio industry.Our latest innovation not only offers impeccable sound quality, but it combines it with a level of never-seen-before construction and engineering.The outer construction and cabinet consist of Metal, and aluminum in particular to ensure the most sophisticated sound quality possible. The large-diameter 7mm thick precision-machined aluminum front plate ensures linear frequency response and represents an extremely stable platform for the magnetic movement system inside.
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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
When Crystal Cable launched the original, glass cabinet Arabesque in 2009, the audio world was stunned by the performance of a speaker that sounded as clean and clear as it looked. The Arabesque shape of this groundbreaking loudspeaker was developed to prevent resonance and standing waves and to eliminate parallel walls and common dimensions, resulting in natural resonant decay without resorting to damping materials. This unique design and technology was then further perfected in the following Arabesque speaker models: the Arabesque Mini, the Arabesque III and the Minissimo.
Now, the new Minissimo Forte takes things to an even higher level. Crystal Cable's goal was to further refine the performance possible from a standmount loudspeaker, while maintaining its predecessor's beauty and compactness. An advanced new passive-active crossover has been added, alongside special fully balanced filter technology. Our unique MAD™ (Multiple Absorption and Dispersion) system and the new stable and decoupled stand further reduce cavity resonances, and improve sound quality. Together, this series of engineering improvements delivers superb sonic performance.
Development
With so much of the design right first time, the original Minissimo stand mount loudspeaker was a hard act to follow. So our engineers thoroughly analyzed the behavior of the loudspeaker using tools like COMSOL™ Multiphysics computer aided design facilities and our custom-made vibration measurement system. The decision was then taken to focus in on three specific areas where further improvements could be achieved, namely the speaker cabinet, stand assembly and crossover.
Developing the cabinet
One key design aim was to take the Minissimo's cabinet and support stand out of the equation, making them as acoustically inert as possible. This was done by identifying and then eliminating all vibration paths inside the speaker, by the fitment of a special layer of internal resonance-reducing material. This is unique in the field of loudspeaker design, and has further lowered cabinet noise as well as preventing extraneous vibrations between cabinet and stand.
Developing the crossover
For the 'passive-active' crossover design, our engineers benefited greatly from the spectacular results achieved while designing the Symphony loudspeaker of sister-brand Siltech, with which Crystal Cable shares all resources and production facilities. Most loudspeakers employ a passive separation filter using coils to provide the drivers with the correct signal, but this can cause non-linearity and dynamic compression of the signal. The passive-active filter used in Minissimo Forte eliminates these limitations by using frequency dependent components, which allows for much greater control of the sound, higher resolution of details in the music, and increases the dynamic range.
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
Product Strengths
- Powerful and deep bass response for its size
- Clear and natural sound reproduction, with vocals being particularly noteworthy
- An 'all-in-two' system, the RIALTO includes a streamer, DAC, pre-amp, and amp, making it easy to set up and use, especially with the Cabasse StreamCONTROL app
- Effective room correction helps to optimize the sound for the listening environment
- Elegant design and build quality
Product Considerations
- The lack of seamless gapless playback between digital tracks requires a workaround or use of an analog source
- The RIALTO has a laid-back treble response, which may not appeal to listeners who prefer a brighter sound
- Potential for technical hiccups exists, because of the amount of technology packed into the RIALTO
- Many features are controlled with the mobile app
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The RIALTO provides a more balanced—and much more natural—listening experience than the Devialet Phantom II 98 dB Stereo
Takeaway: The Cabasse RIALTO is a compact and elegant audio system that offers powerful sound and a range of integrated features, making it a great choice for music lovers who want an easy-to-use and high-performing system. The sound quality and room correction allow it to adapt well to different listening spaces, offering an immersive experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The Siren produces a delicately resolved, very detailed, and natural treble range with exceptional expressiveness and subtle dynamic nuance
- The Siren offers a balanced and natural richness in midrange with much microdetail and growing transparency
- Once properly set up with spiking, high-end resolution, image depth, and convincing dynamics are achieved
- The Sirens can be played at almost any volume level within reason, coupled with a smooth frequency response and low distortion
- The Siren can disappear into the soundstage illusion
Product Considerations
- One review sample had a miswired tweeter, indicating a potential quality control issue
- At very high sound levels, the modestly dimensioned bass port began to huff a little, with some limiting a little earlier than the midwoofer did
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Siren demonstrates much of the pure harmony of a large panel speaker, but with the dynamics of a studio monitor
- Much of the intimacy heard on Branko Bozic's system comprising conrad-johnson ACT2 series 2 tube amplification with Karan KA M1200 monoblocks driving the magnificent first-gen Avalon Isis speakers was recreated with the Siren, if on a smaller scale
Takeaway: The Thrax Audio Siren is a well-engineered loudspeaker that delivers exceptional sound quality with natural timbre and impressive soundstage capabilities. If high-fidelity music enjoyment with great detail and clarity is desired, the Siren is worth considering.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Luxurious texture sound
- Equipped with Bluetooth/WiSA
- A pair of chic 175-watt branded Telos amplifiers are on board
Product Considerations
- Very high price
Takeaway: The Goldmund Pulp brought Goldmund into the compact wireless speaker segment with great success, delivering luxurious sound. It proves the brand can make iconic products outside of their usual ultra-expensive range.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
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
Our Summary
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
Our Summary
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
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