Sveda Audio Jupiter - Active loudspeakers done right?

[NellTheAkita]

Hey fellow audiophiles,

I recently did something crazy... I switched from a 300B amplification and high-efficiency speaker setup to an active solution. And even tho I know that there is many roads to a good sound, I have never thought that something will take place of my TADs. But in this case not just any active loudspeakers did that, a truly exceptional brand that I believe deserves far more attention in the high-end audio community: Sveda Audio. If you haven’t heard of them yet, buckle up. This is boutique hi-fi at its most refined. For many years, their speakers have been used by LampizatOr in his high-end showrooms.

Sveda Audio is a Polish loudspeaker manufacturer that’s been quietly making waves among studio professionals and hardcore hi-fi enthusiasts alike. Founded by an experienced audio engineer, the brand brings a studio-grade approach to home listening, think ultra-low distortion, flat frequency response, and imaging so precise it’ll make your head spin. And all that is combined with warmth, timbre, and musical engagement.

We could say: Studio Roots, Audiophile Soul.

What makes Sveda stand out? These speakers are designed with the precision of a mastering engineer but voiced with the passion of a true music lover. That means uncompromising accuracy without ever sounding sterile — you get every nuance, every breath, every pluck, but with a warmth and musicality that keeps you glued to your seat.

I'm an audio geek, so I'm also crazy about the technical side of things, and Sveda Audio Jupiter is probably the most advanced active high-end loudspeaker on the market. These speakers are packed with serious engineering solutions. On top of that, almost everything is either custom-made specifically for them or designed from the ground up by Arek, the mastermind behind Sveda Audio.
The list is super long, but among the things I found quite unseen and unique in active speakers are:
Advanced power transistors – The transistors used are Exicon MOSFET ECW20P20 and ECW20N20, the same as those found in high-end devices from renowned brands like Bakoon and Goldmund.
Proprietary electronics – Custom N-Channel JFET transistors from Toshiba at the input stage, gold-plated PCBs, and a maximally simplified filter design without input capacitors.
Top-class components – In the signal path: Jupiter copper foil paper-insulated capacitors; in the power supply: Mundorf M-Lytic and Siemens Styroflex 1% NOS capacitors.
Custom-made transformer – Delivering nearly 500W, with primary windings made of copper wire and secondary windings of silver-plated copper in Teflon insulation, dual mu-metal shielding, a high-carbon steel casing, a copper shield between the primary and secondary windings, and anti-vibration resin potting.
Exclusive connectors – The Jupiter model features Furutech power and XLR sockets. There is no traditional fuse; instead, a special Schurter circuit breaker is used.
Reference-grade wiring and custom drivers – Internal wiring by Duelund: 16AWG for woofers and solid-core silver for tweeters. Speaker diaphragms are coated with C37 lacquer to optimize sound. Driver modifications include a redesigned tweeter chamber and damping material, added damping to the woofer baskets, and copper shorting rings in the woofers.
Advanced internal damping – A mix of natural and synthetic materials: aramid fibers, Angel Hair (approx. 1 kg!), cotton wool, foam, bitumen mats, and EMC shielding.

So now my chain is really simple, network transport from Rockna Audio -> Lampizator Pacific 2 -> Sveda Audio Jupiter with two dedicated Sveda Audio Wombat subwoofers.

 

[gestalt]

Hi friend, this reads like an advertisement.

 

[NellTheAkita]

Hi friend, this reads like an advertisement.

I don't know how else I could present a brand which is not so known in our audiophile circles. Perhaps only in Poland poeple are aware that Sveda is making one of the best active loudspeakers, and his background comes from a pro scene, so there is no voodoo in any of it.

 

[thedudeabides]

Most advanced active high end speaker on the market? And how many different active models have you listened to that substantiates that claim? IMHO, way too hyperbolic (even for this forum) to take anything you posted seriously. On a lighter note, they do look attractive.

 

[NellTheAkita]

Most advanced active high end speaker on the market? And how many different active models have you listened to that substantiates that claim? IMHO, way too hyperbolic (even for this forum) to take anything you posted seriously. On a lighter note, they do look attractive.

By most advanced I mean the technological foundation of their analog part. I heard many active loudspeakers and unfortunately most of them are using cheap class D amplification and DSP and I was never able to accept such approach because I want to listen to music and not just sounds. Sveda goes fully analog, and beside drivers which are heavily modified Scan Speak units he designed everything himself. On top of that he is using components that are usually found only in top-tier 6 digit gear.

Sound wise I think Goldmund and YG Audio makes really good active loudspeakers, but the price tag on them is really crazy.

 

[thedudeabides]

By most advanced I mean the technological foundation of their analog part. I heard many active loudspeakers and unfortunately most of them are using cheap class D amplification and DSP and I was never able to accept such approach because I want to listen to music and not just sounds.

Thanks for the clarification. Listen to music and not just sounds?

 

[NellTheAkita]

Thanks for the clarification. Listen to music and not just sounds?

In my opinion using DSP and low quality class D castrates the music, it's like listening to sounds and not full musical experience with timbre, flow, and correct timing of events presented .

 

[Gregm]

In my opinion using DSP and low quality class D castrates the music, it's like listening to sounds and not full musical experience with timbre, flow, and correct timing of events presented .

DSP can correct phase issues -- which, I agree, are very important indeed.
AFAIK ATC uses class ab amps on their active speakers. The Linkwitz LX 521 use linear amps -- in fact you can choose to use whatever you like.

 

[NellTheAkita]

DSP can correct phase issues -- which, I agree, are very important indeed.
AFAIK ATC uses class ab amps on their active speakers. The Linkwitz LX 521 use linear amps -- in fact you can choose to use whatever you like.

Sure, there is many different loudspeakers using many different solutions, Sveda also has some studio grade models which are not packed with hi end components and more cost optimized.

DSP will always introduce some group delay and it's not good for the music. Active loudspeakers have the advantage of no passive filters choking dynamics, but in my experience only fully analog solutions provide with accurately reproduced music flow, transient response, timbre and general feeling of a live event and not just bunch of sounds projected by a system.

 

[Rexp]

Have you compared to ATC? Their 20T active is excellent, around £10K.

 

[NellTheAkita]

Have you compared to ATC? Their 20T active is excellent, around £7K.

ATC is great, no voodoo company with high quality drivers, but I needed something to outperform my ex loudspeakers TAD 2402, so it was a job for no ordinary product.

And I'm extremely happy with the result.

 

[thedudeabides]

In my opinion using DSP and low quality class D castrates the music, it's like listening to sounds and not full musical experience with timbre, flow, and correct timing of events presented .

Glad you like your Sveda's. Is there a US source for the product? What is your opinion of the KEF, KI Audios III and Dutch 8c powered speakers?

 

[NellTheAkita]

Glad you like your Sveda's. Is there a US source for the product? What is your opinion of the KEF, KI Audios III and Dutch 8c powered speakers?

Hmm I don't think Sveda was introduced in US, LampizatOr was using his loudspeakers quite often at the European shows, but in US he has different partners.
As for Kef I think they are a good bang for the buck, never heard KI in controlled environment.
Dutch and Dutch were quite impressive and actually I had a great chat with the guys presenting them last winter in Warsaw, but again after turning on their DSP and room correction many of the qualities that I value in sound simply died just to perform better in a exhibition room.

Sveda is a bit more like let's say Gryphon loudspeakers, but fully active. Gryphon does active woofer section and passive mid/high, so you can still use any amp to drive that section.
Sveda has a separate class AB amplifier for the woofers, around 400W, and separate class AB amplifier for the tweeter, just below 100W of power. Advantage is quite simple, either of amps is playing only the frequency range that drivers need, so it will never get too stressed or never reach higher distortion levels.

Of course we can't pretend size doesn't matters so I also went for stereo pair of tailored subwoofers called Sveda Wombat.

 

[thedudeabides]

Thanks. Nice dog.

 

[AudioLibertarian]

ATC is great, no voodoo company with high quality drivers, but I needed something to outperform my ex loudspeakers TAD 2402, so it was a job for no ordinary product.

And I'm extremely happy with the result.

If you are using those large subs , you need to re-record with active monitors just on their own IMHO, to provide a more realistic picture of their sound...Otherwise sound pretty good with that particular cut. Drivers look like the Puriti 6 inch units.

 

[AudioLibertarian]

Also, their website is much to be desired to say the least..... Very little info or pricing, even Google translate does not work .

 

[NellTheAkita]

If you are using those large subs , you need to re-record with active monitors just on their own IMHO, to provide a more realistic picture of their sound...Otherwise sound pretty good with that particular cut. Drivers look like the Puriti 6 inch units.

Subs are cut quite low, at 40hz so they are not so present in this particular track. Drivers are modified Scan Speak units.

 

[NellTheAkita]

Also, their website is much to be desired to say the least..... Very little info or pricing, even Google translate does not work .

Yes I told him many times that it needs a good update, and I think finally it'll happen soon as he will premiere the Jupiter model in collaboration with some stores.

 

[Gregm]

Sure, there is many different loudspeakers using many different solutions, Sveda also has some studio grade models which are not packed with hi end components and more cost optimized.

I must have misled you: ATC DOES use hi-end components in its active speakers. So do Linkwitz labs.

DSP will always introduce some group delay and it's not good for the music.

So will analogue filters

 

[Zappadaddy]

I ahve heard this combination in Audio show in Prague Czech rep. I was amazed what that minimalistic system did. I was thinking, and I still rember that, of I have smaller room and going to retire I get this combo and be very happy. Truly wonderful sound Sveda plus Pacific with volume regulation and great server, that was it. Awesome sounding system. Sveda is not ovepriced.