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
- Well-balanced sonic presentation
- Seamless driver integration
- Agreeable picture that was rich and supple in the middle, extended, sweet, and airy on top, and assertive and full-bodied on bottom but never obtrusive
- Fine microdynamic expression and an especially graceful attack and decay
- Least spatial and timbral shift off-axis
Product Considerations
- Top end was ever so slightly mellow
- Mids are a bit forward
- Output of the tweeter drops off relatively quickly to the sides above 10kHz
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Soundstage was less enveloping than Wilson Audio Alexx
Takeaway: The Von Schweikert Ultra 55 is a rich, detailed, and fully coherent speaker that's free of obvious sonic seams and never boring. It plays bigger and louder than its size would suggest and is easy to drive with the powered-woofer option.
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
Ultra 55
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
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Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
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3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
Description
Von Schweikert Audio is proud to introduce our ULTRA 55, the third loudspeaker in this flagship reference series. Its technology and performance are essentially identical to the critically acclaimed and award-winning ULTRA 9 and ULTRA 11, but in a form factor that is far more adaptable to a greater number of sound rooms given its footprint and overall height. Bringing you closer than ever before to the source, to experience the live event in the privacy of your home is the promise every Von Schweikert Audio loudspeaker seeks to deliver. The ULTRA 55 sets an unprecedented new standard for realism. To achieve this level of performance, we’ve leveraged more than 40 years of research and development in the creation of this revolutionary new model. Extremely low distortion, class-defining clarity, three dimensional image focus, and lush harmonic structure set a new world standard. MasterBuilt Ultra Internal Wiring comes standard on the ULTRA Line. Each signal path is individually shielded and damped with point to point connections. Designed by leaders in the Aerospace industry and made with rare and precious alloys. It’s simply the most transparent signal path available. Incorporating exotic ceramic woofer and midrange drivers unique to the ULTRA Line of loudspeakers as well as our critically acclaimed Beryllium tweeters and ambient ribbon tweeters. Point to point hand built networks with isolated architecture that protects crossover parts and wiring from electrical noise contamination. Version 2.0 Aktive Cabinet Vibration Control, eliminating cabinet noise with new materials and layering techniques. Time Alignment, Phase Consistency, and adjustable bi-polar sound radiation pattern for room-filling sound. In it’s standard configuration, the ULTRA-55 is offered as a traditional and purely passive reference loudspeaker with extremely accurate linear response from the factory. But for those interested in achieving the optimum linear response in their room with the fastest, tightest and deepest bass possible, we offer the ULTRA-55 Aktive version which incorporates our proprietary 800w R.M.S. Amplifiers. With traditional passive speakers, the listening room will dictate not only where the speakers will need to be placed but also how good the bass will ultimately sound. With our ULTRA-55 Aktive version, each channel incorporates a 800-watt built-in R.M.S. Amplifier between the woofer binding posts and the passive crossover network for the dual bass drivers. This allows the owner to decide exactly where they would like to place the speakers in the room and then adjust the bass drivers with an analog attenuator to deliver highly accurate linear response in that location, regardless of room dynamics. This bi-amp technique allows anyone, in any room, to achieve superb bass depth and also enables matching of the bass level to the upper frequency ranges. Finally, a speaker for every room! To add the depth found in the concert hall, we have provided a rear-firing ribbon tweeter along with our Ambience Retrieval System with Effects Level Control. This Dipolar Design creates a “bubble” of sound rather than a narrow “beam,” generating a huge sweet space. For those listeners who do not require a subwoofer amplifier, we also build a Passive version.
Von Schweikert Audio is proud to introduce our ULTRA 55, the third loudspeaker in this flagship reference series. Its technology and performance are essentially identical to the critically acclaimed and award-winning ULTRA 9 and ULTRA 11, but in a form factor that is far more adaptable to a greater number of sound rooms given its footprint and overall height. Bringing you closer than ever before to the source, to experience the live event in the privacy of your home is the promise every Von Schweikert Audio loudspeaker seeks to deliver. The ULTRA 55 sets an unprecedented new standard for realism.
To achieve this level of performance, we've leveraged more than 40 years of research and development in the creation of this revolutionary new model. Extremely low distortion, class-defining clarity, three dimensional image focus, and lush harmonic structure set a new world standard. MasterBuilt Ultra Internal Wiring comes standard on the ULTRA Line. Each signal path is individually shielded and damped with point to point connections. Designed by leaders in the Aerospace industry and made with rare and precious alloys. It's simply the most transparent signal path available.
Incorporating exotic ceramic woofer and midrange drivers unique to the ULTRA Line of loudspeakers as well as our critically acclaimed Beryllium tweeters and ambient ribbon tweeters. Point to point hand built netwo...
To achieve this level of performance, we've leveraged more than 40 years of research and development in the creation of this revolutionary new model. Extremely low distortion, class-defining clarity, three dimensional image focus, and lush harmonic structure set a new world standard. MasterBuilt Ultra Internal Wiring comes standard on the ULTRA Line. Each signal path is individually shielded and damped with point to point connections. Designed by leaders in the Aerospace industry and made with rare and precious alloys. It's simply the most transparent signal path available.
Incorporating exotic ceramic woofer and midrange drivers unique to the ULTRA Line of loudspeakers as well as our critically acclaimed Beryllium tweeters and ambient ribbon tweeters. Point to point hand built netwo...
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:
- Von Schweikert products utilize proprietary crossover designs, including their Global Axis Integration Network (G.A.I.N.), and Acoustic Inverse Replication (A.I.R.) to enhance staging and imaging.
- They employ a rear-firing "Ambience Retrieval System" with adjustable output, designed to recreate the spatial information captured in recordings.
- Von Schweikert speakers often feature custom-designed drivers, frequently sourced from Accuton and Scan-Speak, and modified to their specifications.
Select products
Select product comparisons
One Series
- Positioning: Entry-level line, designed for affordability and compactness.
- Description: Offers a compact, full-range experience with a beryllium tweeter and aluminum woofers, providing a deep sound field. Unlike the VR Thirty, it focuses on affordability and compactness, making it ideal for smaller rooms and budgets.
VR Thirty
- Positioning: Mid-range line, balancing performance and price.
- Description: Features ceramic honeycomb woofers and a beryllium dome tweeter, delivering powerful bass and detailed highs. It offers a more advanced soundstage than the One Series.
Ultra Seven
- Positioning: High-end line, designed for large spaces and dynamic sound.
- Description: Incorporates advanced driver technology and a hybrid bass system, offering exceptional dynamics and phase coherence. It surpasses the VR Thirty in room adaptability and sound quality.
Ultra Nine
- Positioning: Premium line, offering superior soundstage and detail.
- Description: Includes advanced crossover components and a ribbon super-tweeter, enhancing space and transparency. It provides a more immersive experience than the Ultra Seven.
Ultra Eleven
- Positioning: Flagship line, representing the pinnacle of performance.
- Description: Features eleven drivers and dual subwoofers, delivering exceptional dynamics and scale. It offers the most comprehensive soundstage and detail in the lineup.
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Avg. Product Price
$100,001+
Used For Sale
15
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
251
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
14
Founding Year
1994
Our take on the brand
Von Schweikert's speakers deliver wide soundstage dispersion through novel "ambient recovery systems," creating a 3D-like soundstage. Their large dynamic range masters both subtle details and intense macro swings.
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Von Schweikert
ULTRA.seven
180000
/
Released
2022
Von Schweikert Audio is pleased to present our newest addition to our flagship lineup, the ULTRA 7 which began development nearly three years ago. So what is the ULTRA 7? First off, it's an ULTRA model which means it shares all the sonic and structural DNA of our other ULTRA reference loudspeakers. In this instance, it's simply a different configuration of those previous designs that hopefully will be the "sweet spot" for some audiophiles in performance, aesthetics and ultimately budget. Extremely low distortion, class-defining clarity, three-dimensional image focus, and lush harmonic structure expected from these award-winning ULTRA designs. Our proprietary network topologies G.A.I.N. (Global Axis Integration Network) and A.I.R. (Acoustic Inverse Replication) which deliver our signature driver integration, holographic imaging, tonal accuracy and overall award-winning performance; what we call, The Sound of Reality. Please note, these network topologies have benefited from ongoing iteration for more than four decades of development. Our ULTRA line of exotic drivers. Each channel of the ULTRA 7 design incorporates the following: Front Facing - three 9" reinforced Ceramic Woofers, one 7" reinforced Ceramic Midrange, one Beryllium Tweeter and one Dual Ribbon Super Tweeter. Rear Facing - one Ribbon Super Tweeter and one Magnesium Horn Loaded Tweeter combined into our Rear Ambient Array. MasterBuilt Audio Ultra Line of internal wiring comes standard on the ULTRA Line. Each signal path is individually shielded and damped with point-to-point connections. Designed by leaders in the Aerospace industry and made with rare and precious alloys. It’s simply the most transparent signal path we've experienced. Point to point hand-built networks with isolated architecture that protects crossover parts and wiring from electrical noise contamination (aka distortion). In other words, we don't crowd all the network components for woofers, midranges and tweeters onto a small, printed circuit board which looks very high-tech but ultimately creates distortion. Version 2.0 Aktive Cabinet Vibration Control, eliminating cabinet resonances with new materials and layering techniques built on more than 25 years of iteration. A full set of our new proprietary LS Footers designed by Critical Mass System is included for the best loudspeaker isolation we've ever experienced. More to come on this product very soon! Time Alignment, Phase Consistency, and adjustable bi-polar sound radiation pattern for room-filling sound. The ULTRA 7 design achieve full-range response from 18Hz to 60kHz with 94 dB sensitivity @ 1w/1m.
Von Schweikert's speakers deliver wide soundstage dispersion through novel "ambient recovery systems," creating a 3D-like soundstage. Their large dynamic range masters both subtle details and intense macro swings.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Extremely low distortion, class-defining clarity, dimensional imaging, staging, and focus
- Engaging full-bodied harmonic structure
- Versatile room placement, due to its proprietary room adjustment control suite
- Superior resolution, transparency, faithful tonality, and pitch definition across the entire spectrum
- Combined sonic signature described as the sound of reality
Product Considerations
- At $180,000 a pair, it is an expensive loudspeaker
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Von Schweikert Endeavor SE: The Endeavor SE presented a shockingly good illusion of reality in a large space, but could not compete with the Ultra 7 head-to-head
- Vs Von Schweikert Ultra 55 and Ultra 9: The Ultra 7 is positioned between the Ultra 55 and Ultra 9, sharing compelling features of both
Takeaway: The Ultra 7 is a world-class loudspeaker that delivers exceptional sound quality and offers versatile room placement. It is a premium product designed for audiophiles seeking the most articulate, authentic, and engaging listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Von Schweikert's speakers deliver wide soundstage dispersion through novel "ambient recovery systems," creating a 3D-like soundstage. Their large dynamic range masters both subtle details and intense macro swings.
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Burmester
BC150
150000
/
Released
2021
The new BC150 loudspeaker model by Burmester is now making the innovative leaps in sound quality, technology, and design from the Signature Line possible for other product lines. Within this loudspeaker model, elements of the BC350 loudspeakers from the Signature Line were incorporated.
Burmester, a high-end audio brand renowned for its German craftsmanship, designs and handcrafts its components in Berlin. Known for its distinctive industrial aesthetic with chrome finishes, the brand supplies premium sound systems for Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Detailed, exciting, dynamic, and transparent sound
- Vanishingly low cabinet coloration, contributing to speed and detail
- Lung-emptying, bowel-clearing, demolition-grade bass
- Bass integrates well with the rest of the frequency range for an integrated musical performance
- Voices have breath and contour, yet the result always retains a minimum of warmth
Product Considerations
- Room acoustics should be a strong consideration, as the BC150 reveals room issues
- Needs a lot of quality electronics upstream
- Requires firm control and ample current capacity from the amplifier
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The BC150 sounds more like a Burmester B38 with greater abilities to scale
Takeaway: The Burmester BC150 is a high-precision audio instrument that is both musically communicative and musically analytical, offering a detailed and transparent listening experience. It offers clarity and purity of sound, and brings music to another level.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Burmester, a high-end audio brand renowned for its German craftsmanship, designs and handcrafts its components in Berlin. Known for its distinctive industrial aesthetic with chrome finishes, the brand supplies premium sound systems for Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.
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Borresen
M3
283975
/
Released
2023
The M3 speakers are the perfect blend of form and function, which reflects the excellent and highly productive partnership between two great minds in the audio industry – Michael Børresen and Flemming Erik Rasmussen. The sleek and elegant design of these speakers, combined with their outstanding audio performance, makes them a testament to Audio Group Denmark's commitment to audio excellence.
Børresen Acoustics stands out for its iron-free magnetic motors and cryogenically treated metal components, which reduce inductance for clearer sound. The brand's speakers feature unique elements like zirconium-based 3D-printed baskets and a patented ribbon tweeter design, combined with series crossover networks for phase-locked electrical current across frequencies.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The M3 presents music with an unprecedented degree of individuality and specificity, without sacrificing tonality, texture, or body
- Remarkable level of resolution
- Astonishing transparency and is resolute
- Accurate tonality and represents timbre faithfully
- Exceptional high-frequency detail and speed due to a planar tweeter
- Accepts only banana terminations
Product Considerations
- The planar tweeter misses the very last measure of extension, shimmer, and effortlessness accomplished by the very best available today
- Low-frequency extension was limited to the high 20 Hz, low 30 Hz range
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to Magico M9, the M3 has recalibrated the resolution yardstick by which all other loudspeakers must be measured and compared
- Compared to Von Schweikert Audio ULTRA 9s, the M3 has recalibrated the resolution yardstick by which all other loudspeakers must be measured and compared
Takeaway: The Børresen M3 loudspeakers boldly represent the realization of striking potential in audio and push known boundaries. People who choose the M3 will enjoy a specific level of playback that is unavailable from other loudspeakers.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Børresen Acoustics stands out for its iron-free magnetic motors and cryogenically treated metal components, which reduce inductance for clearer sound. The brand's speakers feature unique elements like zirconium-based 3D-printed baskets and a patented ribbon tweeter design, combined with series crossover networks for phase-locked electrical current across frequencies.
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Wilson Audio
Alexx V
154000
/
Released
2021
The original Alexx loudspeaker, launched in 2016, quickly gained critical acclaim throughout the industry. Alexx benefited from several elements developed during the five years Wilson Audio's founder David A. Wilson, and his unwavering R&D team, brought to life his magnum opus: the WAMM Master Chronosonic. Now, five years after the monumental accomplishment of the WAMM, Alexx V builds upon the original Alexx's success by offering a completely re-engineered performance envelope without greatly increasing the footprint. Comparing the overall size of Alexx V to the original, Alexx V is only 1" deeper and 1" taller while maintaining the same width.
Wilson Audio is often considered the quintessential American high-end hi-fi brand, a staple in premium audio dealerships across the country. Many reviewers use Wilson speakers in their own home systems, reflecting their reputation for outstanding dynamics, bass depth, and the ability to reproduce classical music with remarkable realism. Wilson focuses on creating an uncolored sound, aiming to replicate the experience of live, unamplified performances.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Sublime image size and expansiveness, coupled with an ability to be driven as hard as your ears or your amps can take
- A sense of balance to the sound of the Alexx V makes renewal possible, expressive and articulate from the deepest bass to the highest treble
- Trickle-down benefits from the WAMM Master Chronosonic and Chronosonic XVX
- Bass performance is otherworldly
- The Alexx V has the ability to uncover and continue to deliver micro-details at extremely high SPLs, even after that slam of a transient
Product Considerations
- Some power behind the throne is needed, because the loudspeaker's impedance plot drops to two ohms at 250Hz
- The dome tweeter does sacrifice the last ounce of micro-detail, compared to the insane resolving power of the best diamond and beryllium drivers
- The choice of finish needs to be considered with care
- Cable management can impact performance
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the original Alexx, the Alexx V is a massive improvement—closer to a baby XVX in so many ways
- Compared to the Alexia 2, the Alexx V was more than a mere additive sum, a step-function improvement
- Compared to the Wilson XVX and WAMM Master Chronosonic, the tweeter is effortless and resolving by normal standards, but no match for the extraordinary levels of detail retrieval
Takeaway: The Alexx V offers a sublime listening experience with excellent balance and dynamic range that allows the listener to get closer to the music. It is a worthy contender for those looking to upgrade their listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Wilson Audio is often considered the quintessential American high-end hi-fi brand, a staple in premium audio dealerships across the country. Many reviewers use Wilson speakers in their own home systems, reflecting their reputation for outstanding dynamics, bass depth, and the ability to reproduce classical music with remarkable realism. Wilson focuses on creating an uncolored sound, aiming to replicate the experience of live, unamplified performances.
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Linn
360
110180
/
Released
2023
360 is audibly invisible. It produces a performance with unprecedented clarity and realism, that's entirely absent of sonic colouration. Incorporating innovative drive unit and amplifier technologies, 360 turns out our lowest ever levels of audible distortion. The honed curves of its cabinet are partnered with meticulously matched drive units to deliver the cleanest possible dispersion characteristics.
Linn is a hifi brand known for its modular designs, particularly the Sondek LP12 turntable where users can upgrade virtually every component over time to maintain performance across decades. The brand stands out for developing its own technologies in-house, including the Organik DAC with FPGA processing and Space Optimisation, which models room acoustics without needing microphone measurements.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent imaging, providing a strong stereo image for multiple listeners due to wide dispersion and Space Optimisation+
- Flexible and capable of playing all kinds of music, getting out of the music's way, and suitable for both large and smaller rooms
- Dynamic, detailed, and can play at a wide range of volume levels, from quiet listening to near PA levels
- Features a new driver array, including a Beryllium dome tweeter, thin-ply woven carbon fiber midrange (used on NASA's Mars Rover), and aluminum-magnesium alloy bass units
- Incorporates new amplifier technologies—'Power DAC' for the lower bass and 'Adaptive Bias Control' for the mid and treble—reducing distortion
Product Considerations
- The midrange dome is exposed, which might be a concern with children
- Owners of previous Linn systems may find the price difficult to accept
- Some audiophiles may prefer Linn to trawl its past rather than building its future, and they will want an Isobarik
- Some audiophiles may not be able to see past the LP12
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The 360 offers significantly improved imaging and soundstaging compared to the Klimax 350
Takeaway: The Linn 360 is a high-end loudspeaker that provides excellent sound quality and flexibility, making it a great choice for enjoying music with friends or for personal listening sessions. Its innovative design and technology deliver a detailed and immersive audio experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Linn is a hifi brand known for its modular designs, particularly the Sondek LP12 turntable where users can upgrade virtually every component over time to maintain performance across decades. The brand stands out for developing its own technologies in-house, including the Organik DAC with FPGA processing and Space Optimisation, which models room acoustics without needing microphone measurements.
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