Website author headshot
Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

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

  • Tone color and instrumental timbre are portrayed with accuracy
  • Voicing is full bodied and replete with the complex harmonic structure
  • Stark transparency is rendered to the sources, to reveal any nuance in detail or scale
  • Superb dynamic performance is exhibited, with both subtlety in the microdynamic realm and stunning macro capabilities
  • Bass pitch definition is unsurpassed, with unyielding yet utterly articulated weight and attack

Product Considerations

  • An exaggeration of the soundstage and of image sizes was noted, they are notably larger than life, much like watching an early 1960's film in Ultra Panavision 70 or CinemaScope

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to Magico Q7 and Q7 MK II (and to some similar degree, the less expensive S7), ULTRA 11 has better coherence, tone color, and especially dynamics
  • Compared to YG Acoustics Sonja XV, ULTRA 11 has better coherence, tone color, and especially dynamics

Takeaway: The ULTRA 11 is a monumental achievement in acoustic engineering, so it is capable of recreating a dispersion pattern that simulates the pickup pattern of an omnidirectional microphone. It is worth buying for those seeking the best in audio reproduction due to its accurate tone and superb dynamics

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.eleven

reviews

[{"title":"AXPONA 2017: A Personal Journey, and the Von Schweikert Audio ULTRA 11 Experience","link":"https://positive-feedback.com/show-reports/axpona-2017-personal-journey-von-schweikert-audio-ultra-11-experience","source":"Positive Feedback","datePublished":"2017"},{"title":"Von Schweikert's Flagship Loudspeaker Ultra 11 deserved ...","link":"http://analoguefellowship.com/2018/03/12/von-schweikerts-flagship-loudspeaker-ultra-11-deserved-but-one-word-to-sum-its-performance-wow","source":"analoguefellowship.com","datePublished":""}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022

Manufacturer details

  • Frequency Response: 16Hz - 40KHz
  • Sensitivity: 94dB @ 1w/1m
  • Impedance: 4ohms nominal
  • Recommended Minimum Power: 100 watts
  • Size: 84" x 21"(rear) x 30"
  • Crated Dimensions: 94"x29"x43"
  • Bass Amplifier Power: 1200 watts R.M.S. (optional upgrade)
  • Weight: 750 pounds
The ULTRA.eleven defines the term flagship. Completely hand-assembled and built to order, the ULTRA.eleven represents an awe-inspiring creation that only a lucky few will own. Standing eight feet tall, weighing 750 pounds, and featuring eleven individual drivers, the ULTRA.eleven is as awesome to behold as it is to listen to. Spanning the range from 16hz to over 40,000khz, the ULTRA.eleven presents effortless dynamics and natural scale with near zero distortion. Forget the technicolor presentation of many super speakers, from chamber orchestras - to symphonies - to jazz and rock and roll; the ULTRA.eleven always presents music with natural size and scale. Dual rear-mounted shockwave subwoofers powered by two 1000-watt amplifiers create a robust foundation that allows music to float on the power and majesty one should expect at this price level. While there are rivals, the ULTRA.eleven simply has no peer.
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.

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.

Look inside the brand

Brand Page

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

From our interview with
.
Brand Page

What if you spend more?

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What competes at this price?

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.
Check Amazon
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.
Expand Details

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.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Aries Cerat
Aurora
105000
/
Released
2022
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
Check Amazon
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.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Steinway Lyngdorf
Model C
100800
/
Released
2024
The Model C speakers is for those who seek the live dipole sound and demand enhanced bass for music and movies. The formula is simple: take the legendary Model D, then scale down the footprint and add powerful boundary woofers. The result is an attention-grabbing statement system that sets a new standard for full-bodied bass reproduction.
Check Amazon
Steinway Lyngdorf is unique for its fully digital amplification technology and RoomPerfect system, which processes signals entirely in the digital domain and automatically adapts sound to any room's acoustics without requiring acoustic treatment. Their systems are built as closed ecosystems with components that must work together, featuring distinctive dipole speakers that emit sound from both front and back to mimic how Steinway pianos interact with a room.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Replicates the resonance of live instruments due to open speaker design
  • Digital from source to driver, minimizing sound distortion
  • Provides audio output so precise you can pinpoint each instrument's location

Product Considerations

  • The only weak link might be musical taste

Takeaway: The Model C delivers incredibly precise audio, replicating live instrument resonance with minimal distortion. If pure sound is desired, and taste in music aligns, it is a great pick.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Steinway Lyngdorf is unique for its fully digital amplification technology and RoomPerfect system, which processes signals entirely in the digital domain and automatically adapts sound to any room's acoustics without requiring acoustic treatment. Their systems are built as closed ecosystems with components that must work together, featuring distinctive dipole speakers that emit sound from both front and back to mimic how Steinway pianos interact with a room.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

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