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
- 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.
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Manufacturer details
- Weight: 20kg
- Dimensions: 210W x 340D x 340H mm
- Max. Power Handling: 250W
- Impedance: 4Ohm
- Sensitivity: 87db/1m/2.83V
- Frequency Response: 36-20,000Hz
For the Sirens the brief was – shrink the Lyra to bookshelf size and lose nothing! Well we lost 3db sensitivity but the performance gain due to the new driver and our unique new serial crossover takes the Sirens in a league of their own. Phase response linearization presents you with a new tone on many familiar voices. The lack of break up in the cone allows for a gentle slope of the crossover and better blending with our horn.
The zero resonance front baffle not contributing to the sound underlines the drivers unique abilities. Compact cabinet size doesn't limit the low frequency performance of the Sirens keeping the extension the same as on the Lyra via a rear mounted port.
Crossover components used are all premium - foil capacitors and air core inductors potted in polyurethane for vibration free optation and all wired with custom OCC copper wire for undisturbed low level detail and resolution.
The Sirens favor amplifiers with generous power reserves, so the lack of dynamic compressi...
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:
- Thrax designs its products with a "total system" approach, where each component (preamplifier, amplifier, speakers) is designed to work synergistically, optimizing the overall system performance.
- The brand blends tube and solid-state technologies in unique ways, leveraging the strengths of each to achieve a sound that is both detailed and musical.
- The design and aesthetic of Thrax products are meticulously crafted with high-quality materials like milled aluminum, offering a sophisticated and modern appearance.
- Thrax amplifiers are designed to perform optimally without negative feedback, maintaining tonal purity and offering high resolution at all power levels and loads.
Select products
St. Teres
- Positioning: Positioned as a high-performance stereo amplifier in the Thrax lineup.
- Description: Offers clarity and tone, thanks to its transformer-coupled hybrid design. Features a unique solar cell biasing technique for the output stage, which is not found in the Heros or Enyo, providing noise-free operation and dynamic sound.
Heros
- Positioning: A hybrid amplifier that combines tube sound with modern technology, positioned as a versatile option in the lineup.
- Description: Stands out with its fully differential architecture and transformer-coupled input and output, offering a compact yet powerful Class A performance. Unlike the St. Teres, it uses a single differential DC-coupled FET/Tube stage.
Enyo
- Positioning: A modular audiophile system, integrating multiple components into a single unit, positioned as a comprehensive solution in the lineup.
- Description: Excels with its modular design, combining a preamplifier, DAC, and power amplifier in one chassis, offering a clutter-free setup. Features a unique cathode feedback output stage and a fully differential architecture, unlike the Heros and St. Teres.
Our take on the brand
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Used
Thrax
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
- 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
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
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
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