Stand Loudspeaker Reviews

Stenheim Alumine loudspeaker Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Analog Sources: Garrard 301, Thorens TD 124 turntables; EMT 997, Schick tonearms; Ortofon SPU & Xpression, EMT TSD 15 70th Anniversary & OFD 25 pickup heads.
Digital Sources: Sony SCD-777ES SACD/CD player; Wavelength Proton USB D/A converter; Apple iMac G5 computer running Apple iTunes V.10.2.2, Decibel V.1.0.2.
Preamplification: Auditorium 23 Standard (SPU version), Silvercore One-to-Ten step-up transformers; Shindo Masseto preamplifier.
Power Amplifiers: Shindo Corton-Charlemagne monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: Audio Note AN-E/SPe HE.
Cables: USB: Nordost Blue Heaven, AudioQuest Diamond. Interconnect: Audio Note AN-Vx, Shindo Silver, AudioQuest Columbia. Speaker: Auditorium 23. AC: Ocellia Reference.
Accessories: Box Furniture Company D3S rack (source & amplification components); Keith Monks record-cleaning machine.—Art Dudley

COMPANY INFO
Stenheim
US distributor: Audio Arts
1 Astor Place, Suite 11H
New York, NY 10003
(212) 260-2939
www.audioarts.co
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
doggrell3000's picture
Submitted by doggrell3000 on April 11, 2012 - 3:45pm

dear mr dudley

i am sure the alumines sound just great .  but my god .... almost 13 grand for a speaker with a five inch woofer is beyond ridiculous .  the audio industry has lost its way in a labyrinth of overpriced components that could only appeal to the 1% of zillionaires who don't care what anything costs .  the swiss have the most expensive real estate on the planet .  they also have the most expensive audio on the planet .  the problem with audio components in general is that they have not actually changed in fifty years .  despite all the wonderful improvements in amps speakers digital front ends and recording technology -- there has not been a game changing breakthrough in the fundamental way that sound is recreated in a private living space .  when will some electronic genius invent a speaker system that sounds exactly like live music inside any desired venue for about a thousand bucks ?  now THAT would be news .

doggrell3000

new york city

fy415's picture
Submitted by fy415 on April 11, 2012 - 4:50pm

You're too harsh, doggrell3000. After all, they did ask their supplier to machine the cabinets to a tolerance of +/- .01mm. You have to admit, you have to pay for the wow factor. Apparently, though, buyers don't pay for proper cabinet design, to keep the resonances low.

And don't forget--this $12,795 investment in polished aluminum is not complete without its accessory, the $2,275 stands. Can you have one without the other?

Our fine equipment tester, who didn't have the stands on hand to test with the speakers isn't sure if, when used in tandem, the cabinet resonances will be reduced. (Apparently, try as he might, he wasn't able to overcome logistical problems to properly test a far-from-inexpensive set of equipment, for the benefit of his readers. But that's okay. At least the manufacturer can give an excuse for the less-than-stellar performance figures, and neither the writers nor the manufacturer has to feel bad.)

So, of course you have to purchase the full set. The stand just might improve the cabinet's resonance numbers, and its mistimed drivers, and its high frequency suckout. Our fine tester did say himself, "There is much to admire in the Stenheim Alumine's measured performance...." so by buying the stands, there just MIGHT be even more to admire. (Don't ask him, though, because he mentioned them, but he didn't test them.)

I do have some bad news for you: The $1000 you need for the magical, genius-designed speaker you're hoping for just went toward partially paying the sales tax of this set of speakers/stands.

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