Stenheim Reference Ultime two vs Zellaton Reference
- Thread starter orenatt
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Careful now! Marty from all accounts has an extraordinary system and does his due diligence to set it up but others reality might not be the same.
Room size, appropriate room treatment and proper placement of all components and speakers are hugely important. Then of course there is the appropriate selection and integration into the system which in addition to the above is the reason Marty has a stellar sounding system.
So just because it works for Marty it may not work for the rest of us.
5SE here as well. Not a particularly large room - 17'7" x 11'7". They replaced a pair of Kudos Titan T88 which fronted a Naim 500 system for 20 years. Kudos are a well known UK manufacturer highly considered by Naim owners.
The 5SE's are toed in - 55" between the front inner corners and 60" between the rear inner corners. The front outside corner of the right speaker is 24" off the side wall while the front left outside corner of the left speaker is 40" off the side wall.
@John C what can you tell me about the new bases for the Stenheims? They are interesting and I would consider them however the problem I require my 5SE's to be tilted downward. The rear spikes did not have enough extension and my dealer has them sitting on aluminum pucks to raise the rear even more. The addition of the Stenheim bases would raise the tweeter level even higher - resulting in the need for even more rear height for downward firing. I sit around 8-9' from the speakers so the tweeters need to fire downward to hit the sweet-spot for my ears
The 5SE's are toed in - 55" between the front inner corners and 60" between the rear inner corners. The front outside corner of the right speaker is 24" off the side wall while the front left outside corner of the left speaker is 40" off the side wall.
@John C what can you tell me about the new bases for the Stenheims? They are interesting and I would consider them however the problem I require my 5SE's to be tilted downward. The rear spikes did not have enough extension and my dealer has them sitting on aluminum pucks to raise the rear even more. The addition of the Stenheim bases would raise the tweeter level even higher - resulting in the need for even more rear height for downward firing. I sit around 8-9' from the speakers so the tweeters need to fire downward to hit the sweet-spot for my ears
...you could always cut the front studs a bit. Jam-nuts, vice, hack-saw (or angle grinder) and 15 minutes.
Just seeing this now and spot on. I have biases, just like any audiophile. What works for me may certainly not work for everyone.
In addition, as almost everyone who knows me can attest, the reason I own most of what I own is that I either skipped the line for the anti-psychotic meds they wanted to give me at the nursing home, or I took twice my recommended dose. That's the true audiophile dilemma, not what gear to buy.
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Buzz- I have been thrilled with the addition of the Stenheim stands. My room is above our garage. I have reinforced the floor with steel beams but the floor itself is not ideal. So, the platforms make a significant difference for me. For starters, I can truly level my speakers- which I prefer. The speakers are truly decoupled from the floor. The efficiency of the bass energy is stunning. "Nothing" is being absorbed into the floor. The speakers have gotten "quieter" and the presentation has opened up even more. For my situation they were worth every penny.
Steve Williams
Site Founder, Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Unfortunately, I have only heard my speakers and the Ref's once a number of years ago. I wish I had more opportunities to hear them. I am a big fan of the company. I tried to be pretty careful to point that out. I did not recommend one of the Reference speakers over the other. I thought I was pretty clear on saying that I didn't think the OP could go wrong either way. My opinion is that at a certain point all (certainly most) speakers sound pretty amazing. It comes down to personal preferences, equipment and room synergy that may give an edge to one over another. I don't believe in there being a "best". Then there is dealer networks. Zellaton has chosen to have an exclusive distributor in the US. Gideon apparently does a terrific job but that makes it more difficult to hear their products. It certainly is a little easier to audition a pair of Stenheims. I'm extremely happy with my Stenheims. I'd go as far as to say they are "perfect" for my room and set up. But, I am also confident that I could be ecstatic with a pair of Zellatons as well.
Haaaa! Hee haw, Giddy up horsie!
Bood one bood one maaate!
I've spilt my Nespresso all over the joint, and hey B, I didn't add milk!!! Using a wonderful Nespresso Virtuo machine, bloody marvellous Good coffee yaar!
Woof! RJ
Having said that, and the funny pun by Bonzai...
There are definitely system upgrades that deserve a mighty WOOF! And it's also nice to actually see these properly set-up in a forum like WBF for all to view in full glory.
The other thing is, I can confidently confirm on only the ones that I've actually come across on person and have actually auditioned at length. The latest and greatest being the Zellaton Reference Ultra's, (driven by CJ's ART series amplifiers) and soon to in the proud room of Stevo! So that's one such system I can certainly relate to, simply outstanding! By all means! The other damn beautiful thing is, I could hardly hear the box! For the very first time, a true cabinet design from a specialist company that produces only a handful of these each year. I must say, whatever they've done, they done it right!
We had the Steinhams here at Nirvana Sound, although quite impressive they were demoed in a room full of chockers... people playing musical chairs trying to get their fat bums on the sweet spot. Maybe I should have left a prickly porcupine there... so no one would dare sit! Room of chockers, people coughing and sneezing, then some guy clearing his throat as he drops his hifi guide bag and all the brochures spill out... yeah, not the ideal for critical listening to Steinhams. Hell no! Anyway, after that, the importer closed up and no more Steinhams, nor anything that they carried (Dartzeel, Aries Cerat, Wilson Benesch, Alsyvox and Alieno etc.) So that private demo is never going to happen.
Anyway, if I were to venture back towards another box design speaker (only IF...) that would be Zellaton without a doubt! I'm not really sure how they do it as a cabinet but it's just superb!
Will call off on a good note, Steinhams are probably tops, there's no denying that. Those Swiss miss truly know how to produce something that grabs attention (Dartzeel, Solution, Goldmun, CH Precision, watches & chocolate!) It all depends on personal preference, that's all.
So cheers to both excellent products. If you've got the cash then you know where to stash.
Woof! RJ
There are definitely system upgrades that deserve a mighty WOOF! And it's also nice to actually see these properly set-up in a forum like WBF for all to view in full glory.
The other thing is, I can confidently confirm on only the ones that I've actually come across on person and have actually auditioned at length. The latest and greatest being the Zellaton Reference Ultra's, (driven by CJ's ART series amplifiers) and soon to in the proud room of Stevo! So that's one such system I can certainly relate to, simply outstanding! By all means! The other damn beautiful thing is, I could hardly hear the box! For the very first time, a true cabinet design from a specialist company that produces only a handful of these each year. I must say, whatever they've done, they done it right!
We had the Steinhams here at Nirvana Sound, although quite impressive they were demoed in a room full of chockers... people playing musical chairs trying to get their fat bums on the sweet spot. Maybe I should have left a prickly porcupine there... so no one would dare sit! Room of chockers, people coughing and sneezing, then some guy clearing his throat as he drops his hifi guide bag and all the brochures spill out... yeah, not the ideal for critical listening to Steinhams. Hell no! Anyway, after that, the importer closed up and no more Steinhams, nor anything that they carried (Dartzeel, Aries Cerat, Wilson Benesch, Alsyvox and Alieno etc.) So that private demo is never going to happen.
Anyway, if I were to venture back towards another box design speaker (only IF...) that would be Zellaton without a doubt! I'm not really sure how they do it as a cabinet but it's just superb!
Will call off on a good note, Steinhams are probably tops, there's no denying that. Those Swiss miss truly know how to produce something that grabs attention (Dartzeel, Solution, Goldmun, CH Precision, watches & chocolate!) It all depends on personal preference, that's all.
So cheers to both excellent products. If you've got the cash then you know where to stash.
Woof! RJ
I see on The Aries Cerat (AC) website that their US distributor is Worldwide Wholesales, which distributes none of the brands you mention. Same for Believe High Fidelity, a store in the US.
Woof!
We're also known as Down Unda... speaking of which in most parts of world they're having hot summers. My relatives say London was well past 33c and several players dropped out of Wimbledon due to the heat. In Melb it's a tad chilly 4c!!! Oh down unda....
Cheers maties.
RJ
Located Down Unda maaate!
Can you feel the thunda! ...You better run, you better take cover... flute playing now...
Woof! RJ
Sorry to intrude (how is the weather down under?)
We never had a distributor or dealer in AUS with the mentioned brands.
Cheers
Stavros
Yes we did, few years ago before covid lockdowns. Melbourne Vic (Victoria) had the longest lockdown in the world, nearly 3yrs! That dealership was known as Nirvana Sound. Although they carried many exotic brands, I believe they were not a direct importer... rather going through either HK or Spore as a "sub-dealer." They lasted only few years, selling only a handful of gear. Their very last was the Dartzeel integrated amp, which I nearly bought! After learning that the dealership closed due to lack of sales and the Dartzeel chap in Switzerland is no more either... I cancelled my order.
We also had an Alsyvox representative in WA (Western Australia) Perth, he used to post on WBF but I don't think Alsyvox is represented any more either. Such exotic brands and ultra-high-end gear simply won't sell in Aus. There's hardly any market for it. Very very tiny percentage can afford this level, and most aren't really interested in forking out 6 figures for better sound. Doesn't work that way here.
Although I must say, that cheapo Blue Sound Node sells more than bread moves at the supermarkets! For a few hundred bucks everyone's going BlueSound Node, streaming with delight
Current weather is 13C this morning was a tad chilly 2C! Nice and fresh. Teeth clanking
Cheers, RJ
BTW all my highend and ultra-high-end auditions take place at mostly private demos in Spore or HK, they have the REAL highend! I usually visit those countries once or twice a year between July & Aug. Getting ready to head there next month to hopefully listen to the Zellaton Statements or the Genesis Tributes. My two endgame auditions before I depart Earth.
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