Franco Serblin
Borresen
Stenheim
Swiss Options - Piega & Stenheim
Hi Audiogon braintrust -
After about six years with my Magico A3s I’ve decided to upgrade to something new. While they’ve been great for movies and tv, they don’t have a sound signature I’m all that in love with with music. Typical Magico - very accurate, great bass, but not particularly warm or airy. I believe it’s partly due to my amp (Devialet 440), but changing the amp isn’t an option due to space available in the living room.
I had the opportunity to visit AXPONA in 2022, and discovered two Swiss speaker brands - Piega & Stenheim whose offerings at the show were deeply impressive. Both companies make speakers similar in size to the A3s and are within my budget. With memories of their other models still in my head, the Piega Coax 811 and the Stenheim Alumine 3 are at the top of my current list for potential A3 replacements. Each are roughly within the same price range.
Unfortunately there aren’t any dealers for these brands within driving distance and have two questions I’m hoping someone out there will have some answers to.
Firstly, has anyone found themselves in this same position and compared these two models themselves? If so, what did you think and where did you land?
Second, Stenheim also makes the Alumine 3 SE for a not insignificant uncharge. Has anyone done a side-by-side with the base Alumine 3? If so, what were your thoughts?
Thanks so much
4 responses Add your response
Hi @qwaszxxx
Unfortunately, no, but I have listened to them separately in show conditions. Stenheim vs Stenheim SE: no clue, but marketing blurb has it the difference is in the internal wiring, etc. Don't know if it justifies a high premium. |
No, And I think Stenheim Alumine 5 are the best speakers I've ever heard (not close and I've heard very high end Sonus faber, Focal, and Wilson). I have heard them in someone's house with CH Precision and at an audiofest where the room was horrible but not as bad as it should have been. Good luck in your journey! |
Hi @gregm
This is surprising, and valuable, thank you! I would have expected the Piega with its ribbon tweeter/mid to have won out when it came to the impression of clarity. That has me even more curious to hear the Stenheims. I had the same assumptions on the standard vs the SE - they're charging the better part of $10k for those internal upgrades. Pretty wild.
@overthemoon - It was the Alumine 5s I also heard at AXPONA and agreed.... wow. But those are obviously twice the price of the Alumine 3s. Interested to hear the penalty for the smaller model. |