In my system's thread, I hinted that I have been looking at acquiring my end game loudspeakers.https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/my-little-barn.26426/page-7
I started my quest about two years ago. After many listening sessions at different places and hifi shows, I shortlisted two pairs of loudspeakers: the Stenheim Reference Ultime Two and the AudioNec EVO 3 Signature. Both are tall towers featuring a d'Appolito design similar to the Focus Audio Master 2 that had been residing in my system for the last 13 years.
Thanks to trade shows taking place the same weekend in my area, I was fortunate having the two pairs being demoed by their respective designers and local distributors in my home system with one pair on the Friday and the other one on the following Monday. This allowed me to make the most informed decision in selecting the loudspeakers I plan keeping until I go 6 feet under.
The Stenheim Reference Ultime Two is a 3 way loudspeaker with a massive aluminium cabinet and six independent, internal chambers for the drivers and the crossover. The build quality is top notch. Because of their metal enclosures, these loudspeakers are heavy with a weight of 231 kg/509 lbs each. They are also more compact than the Focus Audio which is quite welcome in my listening room.
The AudioNec EVO3 Signature is a 4 way loudspeaker with 4 separate enclosures for the sub and low drivers whereas the medium and the tweeter drivers are attached to the open frame. The medium driver is a duopole which covers a large frequency spectrum from 400 Hz to 10 kHz. The external crossover is contained in a separate enclosure. Though of the same size as my current loudspeakers, the Audionec are visually less intrusive especially in their standard black and white finish. Their total weight including the external cross over is about 120 kg/265 lbs each.
I selected a list of vinyl and tapes that I played in the exact same sequential order for both listening sessions.
The Stenheim Reference Ultime Two were the first ones to arrive. Jean-Pascal, the CEO of Stenheim meticulously set up the loudspeakers and I was in for a treat.
We bi-amped the loudspeakers with the Krell Evolution One mono blocks driving the bass and the Tenor Audio driving the MTM. This proved to be an excellent set up. At the trade show where they were demoed, the Ultime Two were bi-amped with a pair of darTZeel NHB 108s and I had a feeling that a little more punch would have been welcome whereas with my electronics there was plenty.
The Stenheim are transparent, fast with tight bass and an impressive layered soundstage. The integration of the drivers is perfect with an excellent tonal balance. The music flows with ease and there is no fatigue even after a very long listening session. The word "natural sound" has become somewhat contentious on WBF but these loudspeakers tick all the boxes of my personal perception of naturalness. These are no show off loudspeakers.
We proceeded the same way with the AudioNec EVO3 Signature. As the external crossovers of the demo pair had never been tested in bi-amping mode. Francis, the designer of the loudspeakers did not not want to take any risk and advised not to try bi-amping. He however assured me that, if I were to select the EVO3 as my loudspeakers, he would ensure building the external crossover for bi-amping.
I chose the Tenor Audio 175S for the demo as it is more subtle in the medium and highs than the Krell mono blocs. However I could sense a lack of tight bass though the Tenor Audio is not shy on that front. Though on paper, the EVO3 are easy to drive, my home demo showed that they need some juice to get them shining at their best. I guess that this might be due to the four way/the multiple drivers arrangement or that the synergy with the Tenor Audio was not optimal.
The AudioNec are fast and transparent with a wonderful sound especially on strings and voice. They are on the "warm side".
Compared to the Stenheim, the piano was not as authoritative and the soundstage was not as deep and precise.
I had to make a choice and the Stenheim Reference Ultime Two loudspeakers were the clear winner. I ordered them and and they should land in my listening room before Christmas.
I will report once they get delivered.
I started my quest about two years ago. After many listening sessions at different places and hifi shows, I shortlisted two pairs of loudspeakers: the Stenheim Reference Ultime Two and the AudioNec EVO 3 Signature. Both are tall towers featuring a d'Appolito design similar to the Focus Audio Master 2 that had been residing in my system for the last 13 years.
Thanks to trade shows taking place the same weekend in my area, I was fortunate having the two pairs being demoed by their respective designers and local distributors in my home system with one pair on the Friday and the other one on the following Monday. This allowed me to make the most informed decision in selecting the loudspeakers I plan keeping until I go 6 feet under.
The Stenheim Reference Ultime Two is a 3 way loudspeaker with a massive aluminium cabinet and six independent, internal chambers for the drivers and the crossover. The build quality is top notch. Because of their metal enclosures, these loudspeakers are heavy with a weight of 231 kg/509 lbs each. They are also more compact than the Focus Audio which is quite welcome in my listening room.
The AudioNec EVO3 Signature is a 4 way loudspeaker with 4 separate enclosures for the sub and low drivers whereas the medium and the tweeter drivers are attached to the open frame. The medium driver is a duopole which covers a large frequency spectrum from 400 Hz to 10 kHz. The external crossover is contained in a separate enclosure. Though of the same size as my current loudspeakers, the Audionec are visually less intrusive especially in their standard black and white finish. Their total weight including the external cross over is about 120 kg/265 lbs each.
I selected a list of vinyl and tapes that I played in the exact same sequential order for both listening sessions.
The Stenheim Reference Ultime Two were the first ones to arrive. Jean-Pascal, the CEO of Stenheim meticulously set up the loudspeakers and I was in for a treat.
We bi-amped the loudspeakers with the Krell Evolution One mono blocks driving the bass and the Tenor Audio driving the MTM. This proved to be an excellent set up. At the trade show where they were demoed, the Ultime Two were bi-amped with a pair of darTZeel NHB 108s and I had a feeling that a little more punch would have been welcome whereas with my electronics there was plenty.
The Stenheim are transparent, fast with tight bass and an impressive layered soundstage. The integration of the drivers is perfect with an excellent tonal balance. The music flows with ease and there is no fatigue even after a very long listening session. The word "natural sound" has become somewhat contentious on WBF but these loudspeakers tick all the boxes of my personal perception of naturalness. These are no show off loudspeakers.
We proceeded the same way with the AudioNec EVO3 Signature. As the external crossovers of the demo pair had never been tested in bi-amping mode. Francis, the designer of the loudspeakers did not not want to take any risk and advised not to try bi-amping. He however assured me that, if I were to select the EVO3 as my loudspeakers, he would ensure building the external crossover for bi-amping.
I chose the Tenor Audio 175S for the demo as it is more subtle in the medium and highs than the Krell mono blocs. However I could sense a lack of tight bass though the Tenor Audio is not shy on that front. Though on paper, the EVO3 are easy to drive, my home demo showed that they need some juice to get them shining at their best. I guess that this might be due to the four way/the multiple drivers arrangement or that the synergy with the Tenor Audio was not optimal.
The AudioNec are fast and transparent with a wonderful sound especially on strings and voice. They are on the "warm side".
Compared to the Stenheim, the piano was not as authoritative and the soundstage was not as deep and precise.
I had to make a choice and the Stenheim Reference Ultime Two loudspeakers were the clear winner. I ordered them and and they should land in my listening room before Christmas.
I will report once they get delivered.
Last edited:
