Multitest bookshelf speakers – 2500 Euro – part 1

Intro

On Sunday, Feb. 26, we live streamed the first part of the multitest bookshelf speakers around $2,500. Listening to different speakers is always interesting. With no product are you going to hear such big differences. Even an amplifier or dac results in less difference in sound. Let’s go through the first five models. We have the Amphion Argon3S, Buchardt S400MK2, Dynaudio Evoke 20, Revel M106 and the Aurum Cantus V2M.

We honestly didn’t think we would get so many speakers in. We have a total of about 15 pairs to listen to. Of course, that’s never going to happen in one livestream. That’s why we’re making it a triptych. Three times five models is also quite a lot, but that’s still doable.

We test all speakers on the same stands and the same amplifiers. This is to keep the playing field level. You probably know the system by now:

The test setup

• • Pass Labs XP-12 and X150.8
  • Hypex Nilai DIY class D amp
  • Sonnet Pasithea
  • Alpha Audio PC with Jcat USB and ethernet card
  • Pura Audio Dodo power supply (5V) for the Jcat cards
  • Mutec MC3+ reclocker with AAI pucks
  • Grimm TPM cabling
  • Driade Flow cabling (speaker / interlinks)
  • Isotek filters(Titan / Aquarius)
  • YETI Power cables
  • Flow Reference 808

As you can see, we are working with two power amplifiers. This to see how the speaker(s) cope with a class A amplifier with less damping and a focus on resolution, flow and scale and an amplifier with a lot of control and a slightly drier character. Both amplifiers are pretty neutral, know that. It is purely the way of energy delivery and control that differs.

The candidates

• Amphion Argon3S
• Buchardt S400MK2
• Dynaudio Evoke 20
• Revel M106
• Aurum Cantus V2M

Let’s get started!