Stenheim Reference Ultime two vs Zellaton Reference

[AudioLibertarian]

Before few days ago I heard the Zellaton Stage model, I don’t think that they are the upgrade to my Alumine Five so the next level is Ultime two or Zellaton reference or other options.

What other speaker options would you consider testing?

Various Kharmas: Even "lower" priced Db-9, DB-11, MIDI 3, etc..... Horning from Denmark offer a different flavor, worth checking out. Stein Music, Cessaro from Germany. If you have large music collection try to listen to the Rega RS-10, you d be surprised. However if its the hi-fi fireworks and "prestige" you are after the other brands I ve listed make some great speakers as well.

 

[defride]

unfortunately, I can not change my room layout.

This is the heart of your question

One of the guys on here has tried a number of big speakers in his large room recently. A room you'd think should be perfect for any high end speaker. Despite having reasonable distance to play with to the front wall placement isn't unlimited. A couple of speakers have worked very well, some you'd expect to have been a perfect match including Gobel Marquis didn't.

My take from the experience, buying blind at this level really is a crap shoot, with the odds stacked against if room placement of the the speakers and listening position are limited.

 

[geetee1972]

This is the heart of your question

One of the guys on here has tried a number of big speakers in his large room recently. A room you'd think should be perfect for any high end speaker. Despite having reasonable distance to play with to the front wall placement isn't unlimited. A couple of speakers have worked very well, some you'd expect to have been a perfect match including Gobel Marquis didn't.

My take from the experience, buying blind at this level really is a crap shoot, with the odds stacked against if room placement of the the speakers and listening position are limited.

Are we talking about the same person?

 

[defride]

Are we talking about the same person?

Sorry, missed your post, yes

 

[mtemur]

Dear @orenatt,

I should have asked this earlier—why Stenheim? If your preference is for high-sensitivity paper cones and silk domes, then I’d suggest focusing on speakers with those types of drivers and considering tube amplification. However, if you’re open to other options, you might want to explore speakers with high-tech carbon or diamond drivers.

I believe the first step is to determine the kind of sound you’re really after. Perhaps you’ve already done this, but others here may not be aware, given the range of recommendations involving different design topologies. All of them are good choices but may not be the one you want.

 

[heihei]

What defride and geetee1972 said. Based on experience in my room. Best speaker so far has been the Audionec Evo 2 - might be worth a try.

 

[dcc]

I had a home trial of the Audionec Evo 3 Signature and the Stenheim Reference Ultime Two. I much preferred the Stenheim in my room and my system.

 

[Audiohertz2]

my room is 16 by 23 by 9+ and they work great. FYI . thats a old shot but we also make smaller speakers FYI

Proper baffle design .... !

 

[Audiohertz2]

We talked about Zellaton and Stenheim but there are a lot of very good brands and options such as Magico, Wilson, Kharma, Raidho, Avalon, MBL, TAD and more.

What do you think about another alternative?

Most are laterals , better here , less there , all good in their own right , music type plays alot when picking, if plenty acoustic and opera concert type music heavy on vocals the MBL will be the standout ..

 

[Elliot G.]

Proper baffle design .... !

Noblesse is 6 inches taller, 6 inches wider and 12 inches deeper than the '2' so I dont get why it wont fit but that isnt my decision. I only know what they are capable of and that is special

 

[ariel2611]

We talked about Zellaton and Stenheim but there are a lot of very good brands and options such as Magico, Wilson, Kharma, Raidho, Avalon, MBL, TAD and more.

What do you think about another alternative?

Alsyvox

 

[FDPDK]

I'm not sure how any speaker would be overkill in a room that big! 7m by 5.9m is pretty large. Plus, I don't think there's much relationship between how big a room is and how large the speaker is, unless you're going to the other way, in which case a speaker can be too small for the room. Just not the other way around. I base that opinion on the simple fact that my 3.5m by 3.6m room has standmounts with a 15" woofer in a cabinet that measure 550mm by 790mm by 220mm siting on stands that raise the overal height to 1.2m. Like you after I installed them for the demo, I thought 'no way will these work, just too big', but nope, they worked better, significantly better in terms of acoustic behaviour, than the speakers they replaced, which were literally half the size.

BTW I'm sure it's just a typo but the Alumine 5s and the Reference 2s are rear ported, not front ported.

I've heard the Divin Marquis in a friend's room with a huge system in front of it and they just didn't work; either it was the room (which is 13m by 5m by about 2.5m) interaction that was off, or those speakers were just not happy with the power amps (Audionet Heisenbergs). Five of us listening and all five of us agreed something was off. And yet, them being off was in a very large room.

The room will always play a part, I just don't think you can make any assumptions about size.

I have to correct some details here, the Alumine 5 are front ported , and the Reference 2 are back ported. I just checked to be sure i remembered correct.

 

[orenatt]

the

Dear @orenatt,

I should have asked this earlier—why Stenheim? If your preference is for high-sensitivity paper cones and silk domes, then I’d suggest focusing on speakers with those types of drivers and considering tube amplification. However, if you’re open to other options, you might want to explore speakers with high-tech carbon or diamond drivers.

I believe the first step is to determine the kind of sound you’re really after. Perhaps you’ve already done this, but others here may not be aware, given the range of recommendations involving different design topologies. All of them are good choices but may not be the one you want.

Hi ,

Before Stanheim I had Wilson Sasha and ATC SCM50 active speakers, I like to upgrade the speakers every 5 years.
Before I purchased the Steinheim I tested them against Magico s5 and wilson alexia and Daw, I liked the Steinheim the best of the three which works well in the bi amping configuration with the CH electronics, they are very clear, fast and efficient but I don’t have any problem to check another technologies such as carbon and diamond drivers.

 

[orenatt]

Alsyvox

looks like clarisys loudspeakers, I don’t like their design…

 

[geetee1972]

I have to correct some details here, the Alumine 5 are front ported , and the Reference 2 are back ported. I just checked to be sure i remembered correct.

Yes indeed, entirely my mistake, for which I apologise

 

[Gregm]

I'm thinking of upgrading my speakers - Stenheim Alumine Five SE and wanted to ask if anyone has heard the Zellaton Reference speakers and compared them to the Steinheim Reference Ultime two?

Hi - I've heard the Z-refs & the Stenheim Ref-2, as well as the Gobels mentioned above -- albeit, in demo and show conditions so, not ideal. Sorry, I didn't compare them directly at the time - I'll try to do so now.

As you doubtless know, while all of these speakers sound "fast", the Gobel & the Zellaton sound differs from Stenheim. Comparing (and generalising), I find the Stenheim confer a touch of warmth; the Z & the Gobel more neutral by comparison (the Gobel more so than the Z).
I think it's imperative you listen to the alternatives- if only to make sure you like the sound...

OR, you could just stick with Stenheim and get the bigger model -- they're excellent: like yours but with better resolution across the board, better hi-frequencies and more (and clearer) bass.
And 35m2 seems plenty to accommodate the bigger speakers!

 

[orenatt]

Hi - I've heard the Z-refs & the Stenheim Ref-2, as well as the Gobels mentioned above -- albeit, in demo and show conditions so, not ideal. Sorry, I didn't compare them directly at the time - I'll try to do so now.

As you doubtless know, while all of these speakers sound "fast", the Gobel & the Zellaton sound differs from Stenheim. Comparing (and generalising), I find the Stenheim confer a touch of warmth; the Z & the Gobel more neutral by comparison (the Gobel more so than the Z).
I think it's imperative you listen to the alternatives- if only to make sure you like the sound...

OR, you could just stick with Stenheim and get the bigger model -- they're excellent: like yours but with better resolution across the board, better hi-frequencies and more (and clearer) bass.
And 35m2 seems plenty to accommodate the bigger speakers!

Many Thanks for the information !
Yes, I have 37sqm but my listening area is only 16.5sqm and my main problem is the celling height - 2.70m and the distance from the rear wall - only 30cm

 

[worldtime]

Steinheim never convinced me with their sound, zellaton on the other hand, absolutely beautiful sound, I consider zellaton in the same league of Magico Wilson and rockport. Top tier sound for me.

 

[FDPDK]

Yes indeed, entirely my mistake, for which I apologise

No problem

 

[infinitely baffled]

Most are laterals , better here , less there , all good in their own right , music type plays alot when picking, if plenty acoustic and opera concert type music heavy on vocals the MBL will be the standout ..

Can the MBLs also do bass driven music?