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
- Good sound quality
- Great value for the money
- Easy to use interface
- Offers connectivity options
Product Considerations
- May not suit all listeners
- No balanced outputs
Takeaway: Overall, a solid product for the price point. It delivers good performance and offers a user-friendly experience.
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
Reference Ultime Two
reviews
[{"title":"Nearly $200k - Stenheim Ultime 2 is an audio endgame speaker","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRdneyn5QAk","source":"House Of Stereo","datePublished":"2024"}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Type: Passive 3-way floor-standing speakers
- Configuration: Full d'Appolito array with 2x 30cm (12") woofers, 2x 16.5cm (6.5") medium driver, 1x 2.6cm (1") soft dome tweeter
- Design: Rear laminar port bass reflex
- Construction: Full aluminium
- Frequency response: 25Hz to 35kHz
- Sensitivity: 95dB SPL, half space
- Power handling: 400W RMS, 800W Peak
- Minimum recommended power: 30W
- Nominal impedance: 4 Ohms
- Dimensions: Height 153.5cm (60.43") x Width 36.8cm (14.49") x Depth 50.5mm (19.89")
- Weight: 231 kg (509.3Ibs) each
- Warranty: 5 years
Description
The Reference Ultime Two is the most compact speaker in the Reference line, but it is still considerably bigger than the Alumine Five and built to a different scale. It is designed for larger spaces and to front more powerful systems, to fill big rooms with dynamic, captivating sound that covers the full bandwidth, providing deeper bass than is possible with a smaller cabinet design.
The Reference Ultime Two is the most compact speaker in the Reference line, but it is still considerably bigger than the Alumine Five and built to a different scale. It is designed for larger spaces and to front more powerful systems, to fill big rooms with dynamic, captivating sound that covers the full bandwidth, providing deeper bass than is possible with a smaller cabinet design.
The cabinet is constructed in typical Stenheim fashion. It uses solid aluminium panels over a critically braced, internal chassis, CNC machined from solid billet aluminium. The sheer quantity of aluminium employed is impressive, ensuring that these cabinets are sonically inert and will not flex, no matter how loud the music gets. Beneath the sleek outer panels, each driver is mounted in its own chamber to minimise interference from the others.
Like all the Reference Line models, the Reference Ultime Two is a full d'Appolito design, with a symmetrical driver layout conferring significant sound dispersion advantages. It uses a pair of 30 cm (12-inch) forward-firing woofers to provide deep bass from 25 Hz. Control and bass extension is further enhanced through a pair of rear-facing, laminar flow, reflex ports similar to those used so successfully in the award-winning Alumine Five. These have the advantage of reducing the turbulence that can occur with traditional ported designs giving better transie...
The cabinet is constructed in typical Stenheim fashion. It uses solid aluminium panels over a critically braced, internal chassis, CNC machined from solid billet aluminium. The sheer quantity of aluminium employed is impressive, ensuring that these cabinets are sonically inert and will not flex, no matter how loud the music gets. Beneath the sleek outer panels, each driver is mounted in its own chamber to minimise interference from the others.
Like all the Reference Line models, the Reference Ultime Two is a full d'Appolito design, with a symmetrical driver layout conferring significant sound dispersion advantages. It uses a pair of 30 cm (12-inch) forward-firing woofers to provide deep bass from 25 Hz. Control and bass extension is further enhanced through a pair of rear-facing, laminar flow, reflex ports similar to those used so successfully in the award-winning Alumine Five. These have the advantage of reducing the turbulence that can occur with traditional ported designs giving better transie...
Release Timeline
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:
- 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
Select product comparisons
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.
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Avg. Product Price
$100,001+
Used For Sale
4
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
312
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
9
Founding Year
2010
Our take on the brand
Stenheim is a hifi speaker brand known for its aluminum enclosures and minimalist, Bauhaus-inspired design that appeals to both audiophiles and art lovers. Their speakers feature high sensitivity for compatibility with low-powered tube amplifiers and use paper and fabric cone drivers for a natural sound, setting them apart from brands that use ceramic or metal drivers.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
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YG Acoustics
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Released
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Sonja 3.2 is a true, reference loudspeaker, delivering the life-like, natural sound which is the hallmark of YG. Capable delicate holographic imaging while still recreating concert scale audio, it is one of the very best loudspeakers in the world.
YG Acoustics makes speakers with unique DualCoherent crossover technology that ensures both perfect frequency response and phase coherence, while their BilletCore drivers are machined from solid aluminum billets for enhanced precision. Their modular design allows users to upgrade and expand their systems over time, and they use proprietary software that optimizes both frequency and phase response, capabilities not commonly found in other hifi brands.
Expand Details
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional build quality using aerospace-grade aluminum
- Creates a holographic soundstage
- Delivers every genre with exceptional clarity and authority
- The design strives to editorialize the signal as little as possible, letting the music flow
Product Considerations
- Substantial investment required
- Considerable weight—145kg per speaker
- Demands thoughtful amplifier matching, requiring a lot of power to shine
- Requires optimal room placement
Takeaway: The YG Acoustics Reference Sonja 3.2 speakers are a masterpiece of acoustic engineering, providing a realistic, precise, and effortless sound experience. If one wants to hear their favorite music at its best, these speakers could be worth the investment.
Video review
Our take on the brand
YG Acoustics makes speakers with unique DualCoherent crossover technology that ensures both perfect frequency response and phase coherence, while their BilletCore drivers are machined from solid aluminum billets for enhanced precision. Their modular design allows users to upgrade and expand their systems over time, and they use proprietary software that optimizes both frequency and phase response, capabilities not commonly found in other hifi brands.
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Aries Cerat
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The Aurora is our newest speaker design, carrying some trickle down technology from our top model the Contendo, as well as some newly developed technologies
Aries Cerat is a hifi brand known for its use of oversized components and TriodeFet technology, which combines tube and solid-state designs to create a distinctive sound signature. Their products, including the Kassandra DAC and Symphonia horn speakers, are built with massive power handling capabilities and carefully selected drivers to deliver a muscular, dynamic sound that rivals top analogue systems.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Surprisingly free of horn colorations
- Very rich, present, and neutrally balanced
Product Considerations
- The reviewer was sitting too close to hear them at their best in the small room
- Looking a bit like something the Borg might have invented
Takeaway: The Aries Cerat Aurora Reference is a unique, horn-loaded speaker that sounds surprisingly good. They were considered the most interesting and novel new speaker at the show.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Aries Cerat is a hifi brand known for its use of oversized components and TriodeFet technology, which combines tube and solid-state designs to create a distinctive sound signature. Their products, including the Kassandra DAC and Symphonia horn speakers, are built with massive power handling capabilities and carefully selected drivers to deliver a muscular, dynamic sound that rivals top analogue systems.
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YG Acoustics
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YG Acoustics makes speakers with unique DualCoherent crossover technology that ensures both perfect frequency response and phase coherence, while their BilletCore drivers are machined from solid aluminum billets for enhanced precision. Their modular design allows users to upgrade and expand their systems over time, and they use proprietary software that optimizes both frequency and phase response, capabilities not commonly found in other hifi brands.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional build quality
- Incredible bass
- Product is not an inferior DAC to Gordon
- Beats the Blackback at soundstage
- Connectivity options are strong
Product Considerations
- [Pricing complaints removed]
Video review
Our take on the brand
YG Acoustics makes speakers with unique DualCoherent crossover technology that ensures both perfect frequency response and phase coherence, while their BilletCore drivers are machined from solid aluminum billets for enhanced precision. Their modular design allows users to upgrade and expand their systems over time, and they use proprietary software that optimizes both frequency and phase response, capabilities not commonly found in other hifi brands.
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Clarisys
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Experience Clarisys Audio's Auditorium for ultimate sound quality. Boasting neodymium magnets and a double-sided bass panel, double-sided midrange, and double-sided treble. All drivers are 100% identical, giving you perfect coherence.
Clarisys Audio speakers feature a unique double-sided ribbon design that enhances current flow and magnetic response, with a metal exoskeleton frame preventing the warping common in traditional ribbon speakers. The brand caters to tube amp enthusiasts through their use of Neodymium magnets for improved sensitivity, while offering DIY-friendly support and parts for vintage Apogee speaker refurbishment.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Experienced a 'wall of sound' from the speakers
- These speakers do not need room treatment
Product Considerations
- Extremely well-built, resulting in a thousand-pound shipping weight
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Takeaway: The Audium speakers offer a phenomenal sound experience without needing extra sound treatment in the room. The build is solid, and the company will even fly to the buyer's house to fix them.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Clarisys Audio speakers feature a unique double-sided ribbon design that enhances current flow and magnetic response, with a metal exoskeleton frame preventing the warping common in traditional ribbon speakers. The brand caters to tube amp enthusiasts through their use of Neodymium magnets for improved sensitivity, while offering DIY-friendly support and parts for vintage Apogee speaker refurbishment.
Product Page
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YG Acoustics
Sonja 3.3
203130
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Released
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Sonja 3.3 is a true, reference loudspeaker with the life-like, natural sound which is the hallmark of YG. Capable of delicate holographic imaging while still recreating concert scale audio, it is one of the very best loudspeakers in the world.
YG Acoustics makes speakers with unique DualCoherent crossover technology that ensures both perfect frequency response and phase coherence, while their BilletCore drivers are machined from solid aluminum billets for enhanced precision. Their modular design allows users to upgrade and expand their systems over time, and they use proprietary software that optimizes both frequency and phase response, capabilities not commonly found in other hifi brands.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional build quality using aerospace-grade materials
- State-of-the-art BilletCore driver technology
- Remarkably low distortion across the entire frequency range
- Precise imaging and holographic soundstage
- Extensive frequency response
Product Considerations
- Substantial investment required
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Video review
Our take on the brand
YG Acoustics makes speakers with unique DualCoherent crossover technology that ensures both perfect frequency response and phase coherence, while their BilletCore drivers are machined from solid aluminum billets for enhanced precision. Their modular design allows users to upgrade and expand their systems over time, and they use proprietary software that optimizes both frequency and phase response, capabilities not commonly found in other hifi brands.
Product Page
Product Page
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