TRULY INSPIRED BY THE PASSION AND LOVE FOR MUSIC
Founded in 2010, Stenheim quickly became a leader among Swiss audio brands. Its five founders, Jean-Loup Afresne, Antoine Petroff, Maxime Perrin, Sébastien Benz and David Jilli are all engineers, passionate about sound and music. Prior to launching Stenheim, they worked together at one of the biggest names in audio equipment.
In 2011 – after two years of research and development – Stenheim launched its first range, the Alumine. These compact, all-aluminum speakers were created to be the reference model, to evolve over time to include a full-range system with subwoofer.
Given the Alumine model’s success, the five founders decided in 2013 to expand the young company’s horizons, handing over the company reins to Jean-Pascal Panchard – he too, a music aficionado and engineer by training, who brought extensive experience in the “High End” audio market – including experience gained with leading names in the Swiss audio industry. Since its founding, Stenheim has embodied the values of precision and outstanding quality for which Switzerland is renowned. Inspired by micromechanic and watch-making expertise, we aim to offer very high quality products, with lively, warm audio rendition, and uncompromising design.
WITH STENHEIM, REDISCOVER THE SENSE – AND SENSATION – OF HEARING
Hear the music vibrate and shine as it reveals the musician’s sensitivity and emotion along with the beauty of the composition.
At last, listening is infused with a concert atmosphere, the audience’s energy and enthusiasm. Forget technology – simply experience music.
Made in Switzerland, our speakers combine unparalleled expertise and years of research to bring you exceptional sound.
Some manufacturers focus on the sensory, others on technology. Our approach merges the two, because we understand the relationship between real physical constraints and their impact on the subjective quality of listening. Ignoring the trendy, our products are built to last. This is why we’ve chosen simple elegance and neutral, rich and clear tones, highlighting the beauty of the music and nothing else.
With high efficiency, the Alumine permits the use of high quality but lower powered amplifiers. Unparalleled speed combined with beautiful and rich tone elevates Stenheim from all too common audiophile fireworks and overhyped, but ultimately fatiguing designs.
THE ALUMINE REPRESENTS A SUBSTANTIAL DEVIATION FROM CONVENTIONAL SPEAKER DESIGN. WITH ALL ALUMINUM CONSTRUCTION AND HAND MADE BESPOKE CRAFTSMANSHIP IN SWITZERLAND, STENHEIM ENSURES UNRIVALED MUSICALITY AND EMOTIONAL ENGAGEMENT
With high efficiency, the Alumine permits the use of high quality but lower powered amplifiers. Unparalleled speed combined with beautiful and rich tone elevates Stenheim from all too common audiophile fireworks and overhyped, but ultimately fatiguing designs.
With the ability to customize the finish with endless possibilities, aesthetic sentiments are addressed. With no exposed fasteners or screws, our watch industry team has created a fluid and stunning achievement in contemporary speaker design.
In an age of obsessive consumerism and product choice, Stenheim believes in pride of ownership and longevity. And while the Alumine manifests this philosophy, it is truly inspired by the passion and love for music.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Passive 2 ways with front Bass Reflex Design
- Frequency response : 45Hz – 30kHz
- Power handling : 100W IEC, 200 W (peak)
- Recommended amplifier from 10W to 200W
- Sensivity : 93 dB SPL/2.83V/1m (measured in a semi-reverberant room)
- SPL max : 109 dB
- Nominal impedance : 8 Ohms (minimum 6 Ohms)
- Dimensions : H 330mm x W 230mm x D 275mm
- Weight : 17 Kg each
- Woofer: One 16.51 cm (6.5in) High-strength cellulose fiber cone impregnated and coated on both sides with damped resins
- Tweeter : One 2.54cm (1in) Fabric dome, loaded by a small horn machined in the 15 mm aluminium front plate
- Air core inductors, Polypropylene capacitors, Metal film resistors
- Special finitions on demand : 30 different anodised colours, polished aluminium, wood or leather veneer, 18 carat gold PVD, pure diamond powder, Fall’art concept
- Warranty : 5 years
Press reviews
TONE AUDIO MAGAZINE : THE STENHEIM ALUMINE 2 SPEAKERS
“The all-aluminum enclosure is beautiful to behold, and the level of execution is terrific. If the concept, and all the benefits that come with a high-performance two-way monitor appeal to you, Stenheim’s Alumine 2 speakers are fantastic. They offer excellent sound, meticulous execution, and a density of thought approached by very few similarly priced speakers. Highly recommended.”
Tone Audio Magazine, Jeff Dorgay, July 2021
PART TIME AUDIOPHILE : EDITORS CHOICE
“In my return to the exciting world of the two-way monitor, I found that the Stenheim Alumine 2s set the bar preternaturally high. I’ve listened to a lot of speakers over the last couple of years that I could buy and enjoy for the rest of my life. But the Stenheims go deeper than that. Not only do they provide sublime sound, but they resonate with my life as an audiophile. They capture all of the qualities I’ve pursued over the last 40 years, and I highly recommend them.”
Part time audiophile, Marc Phillips, July 2020

THE AUDIOBEAT 2017 : FIRST SOUNDS: STENHEIM ALUMINE TWO
” If you need a compact speaker that allows your music to breathe, that’s big on expression, big on intimacy and communication but isn’t phased by big or loud, then the Alumine 2 could be just what you’re looking for. Other brands might make more noise about (and with) their aluminium boxes, but for me, right now it’s the Stenheims that are the ones delivering the musical goods. “
The Audio Beat, Roy Gregory, March 2017
Owners Testimonies
“The 2’s are obviously a very different speaker (…) The soundstage and layering is quite remarkable, they’re wonderfully dynamic and produce a very impressive low end for their very diminutive size. Most importantly for me they pull out decently more detail in the music. They do still sound like bookshelf speakers however, and most would like a speaker with the capacity to produce more low end.”
“(…) but I know what I like. And I really love these – they are very much to my taste.I cannot imagine that anyone who had any understanding of sound reproduction, they would need to be deaf not to hear how good these are. The speakers presentation is incredible. It’s like a really beautiful dish placed in front of you and then you bite into it and you get an explosion of flavour. What I see amazing is that they don’t sacrifice other parts of the meal over one or two elements; they let everything shine. It is a magic trick for sure.”
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
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3-way vertical speaker with 4 high efficiency transducers
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Frequency response : 32 to 35 kHz
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Power handling : 150 W RMS, 300 W peak
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Recommended amplifier from 10W to 200W
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Sensivity : 93 dB, half space
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SPL max : 109 dB
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Nominal impedance : 8 Ohms (minimum 6 Ohms)
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Power handling : 150 W RMS, 300 W peak
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Dimensions : H 1050mm x W 250mm x D 330 mm
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Weight : approx. 70 kg (including adjustable feet)
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2 x 8-inch woofers, 1 x 5 1⁄4-inch neodymium medium drivers, 1 x neodymium tweeter
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Warranty : 5 years
Press Reviews
THE ABSOLUTE SOUND : ULTRA-HIGH-END PRODUCT OF THE YEAR
“The Alumine Three is a musical launch pad that explodes with life. Its ability to create a giant, engaging, yet stable sonic picture makes every listening session memorable. Little far-off instruments sparkle with energy. The overall musical experience is electric.”
The Absolute Sound Editor, December 2020
THE ABSOLUTE SOUND : EDITOR CHOICE 2020
“The Stenheim Alumine Three did this more frequently, and do a greater degree that any other loudspeaker I’ve had in my home. The Three is a compact, exceptionally built, and easy to drive loudspeaker that fits into real rooms, with the heart of a large horn system and touches of electrostatic transparency thrown in for good measure. At, or near the top of finest compact loudspeakers available today, and one that joins the small club of products I’d recommend going out of your way to experience”
Allan Moulton, The Absolute Sound, 2020
AUDIOTECHNIQUE : ALUMINE 3 AT HK AV SHOW 2019
“(…) when I listen attentively , I find that the analytical power of ALUMINE THREE is absolutely superior among the speakers of the same price, because not only the change of music, but also the sound of the pianist’s breathing, and the ultra-thin sounds that are triggered when the keys of the piano move have all manifested themselves.”
Patrick Le, Audiotechnique, 2019
ALUMINE THREE SE – $43,250
Full Black with Gild Tweeter and spikes
Ultra high-end crossover companents
Stenheim internal wiring and Reference binding post
Light or Dark shiny Grey structured coating side panels, Black front and back panels with sides bars in STENHEIM red Bi-wiring included
Options:
Choice of color; Full black, ivory, or Dark brown, the 2 sides bars in STENHEIM red, black, or gold color $3,000
Cabled with Nordost $2,000
Leather on the top baffle $4,000
SE; Special Edition with Ultimate components, STENHEIM internal wiring and Reference binding post $6,500
Alumine FIVE Signature $94,500
Signature version by JC Gaberel, Genuine leather front baffle, External passive crossover with Ultimate components, Customized internal wiring and acoustic damping Reference binding post
STENHEIM INTRODUCES THE ALUMINE FIVE, LITTLE BROTHER TO THE WORLD ACCLAIMED REFERENCE.
Made exclusively in Switzerland, our new full aluminum floor standing Alumine FIVE speaker combines unparalleled expertise and years of research to bring you exceptional sound and musical immersion. Technical developments have been inspired by our REFERENCE line (same midrange driver and tweeter) and extreme high efficiency allows pairing with the finest quality low powered amplifiers.
Swiss state of the art design and aesthetic sensibilities pervade the clean and elegant aluminum cabinet. Never before has design and fidelity conspired to yield such ethereal yet tangible results. No ubiquitous and exotic catch words such as diamonds or beryllium need apply, as Stenheim taps into older and long established speaker designing roots. For instance, all drivers are proprietary multilayer cone with textile surrounds mated to extremely powerful magnets, resulting in speed, tonality and beauty.
Some manufacturers focus on the sensory, others on technology. Our approach merges the two because we understand the relationship between real physical constraints and their impact on the subjec- tive quality of listening. Ignoring the trendy, our products are built to stand the test of time. This is why we’ve chosen to design a loudspeak- er which highlights the beauty and sanctity of music over all else.
With Stenheim, rediscover engagement with music and sensation of immersive listening.
Forget technology simply experience music.
Special edition
Just as for the TWO, there is also a special edition of the FIVE with the same technical characteristics but giving an even more refined sound thanks to improved high grade crossover component, dedicated STENHEIM internal wiring and a REFERENCE binding post.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- 3way floorstanding speakers with 4 high efficiency transducers
- 2x 10 inches woofers, 1x 6.5 inches neodymium medium drivers, 1 x neodymium tweeter
- Massive aluminum cabinet with 4 independent chambers, 2 closed (medium & tweeter) and 2 with laminated front ports
- Passive 3ways crossover, using audiophile high grade components
- Bi-wiring with WBT Nextgen pole terminals
- Frequency response : 28Hz to 35kHz
- Sensitivity : 94dB, half space
- Power handling : 200W RMS, 400W peak
- Nominal impedance : 8 ohms (minimum 3 ohms)
- Dimensions : H1200mm x W280mm x D380 mm
- Weight : 100Kg (including adjustable spikes)
- Warranty : 5years
Press Reviews
“The Alumine Five may have reduced image height some and was a bit bottom-up in balance, but it showed none of the flashes of brightness or of megaphoning that I heard so often with other displays. Simply an excellent balance of all criteria, and excellent sound.”
Jonathan Valin, The Absolute Sound, 2019
LISTENING : STENHEIM ALUMINE FIVE
” The Alumine Five sets itself apart by offering traditional high-end audio strengths, very wide bandwidth, excellent spatial performance, and freedom from gross colorations, with the drivability and consequent good levels of touch, force, and musical momentum that are seldom associated with loudspeakers of contemporary design and manufacture. “
Art Dudley, Stereophile, US, 2018
AUDIOTECHNIQUE : ALUMINE FIVE SPECIAL EDITION
Patrick Lee, Audiotechnique, HK, 2019
ALUMINE SUB- $29,000
Light or Dark shiny grey structured coating, Black front and back panels, Passive version (price per piece)
Options:
Choice of color; Full black, ivory, or Dark brown $2,000
Power amplifier 1500W $3,000
DSP Active crossover with bass management $4,000
STENHEIM OFFERS A REVOLUTIONARY SUBWOOFER SYSTEM
Swiss state of the art design and aesthetic sensibilities pervade the clean and elegant aluminum cabinet. Never before has
design and fidelity conspired to yield such ethereal yet tangible results.
For instance, the two 13 inches drivers are proprietary multilayer cone with very long linear excursion, mated to extremely
powerful magnets, resulting in dynamic, impact and deep foundation.
The solid and massive aluminum case, combined with an exclusive central mechanical coupling system, allows the
Alumine SUB to reach the lowest frequencies with power, authority and particularly low distortion.
The Alumine SUB expand the capabilities of all speakers of our Alumine range : TWO, THREE; FIVE and MOVIE.
We have imagined an exemplary modularity for our Alumine SUB, giving it the following options:
- 2 stackable units,
- 1 amplifier of 1500W,
- 1 powerful DSP with preset for all our speakers,
- adjustment of the gain and adaptation to the listening room

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- 2 x 13 inches woofers mounted back to front (forces cancellation)
- Massive aluminum cabinet with 2 independent closed chambers
- Stackable (max 2 pces) with STENHEIM Mechanical Coupling System
- Modular configuration :
- System with 1, 2 or 4x AlumineSUB
- Passive: to be linked with external amplifier and Crossover
- Active: with integrated amplifier but without DSP-crossover
- LFE for home theater)
- Active DSP: with integrated amplifier and DSP-crossover
- Compatible with Alumine TWO, 3WAY, FIVE, MOVIE
- Frequency response : 18Hz to 100 Hz
- Power handling : 1500 W RMS
- Dimensions : H600mm x W400mm x D700 mm
- Weight : 100 Kg
Some manufacturers focus on the sensory, others on technology. Our approach merges the two because we understand the relationship between real physical constraints and their impact on the subjective quality of listening. Ignoring the trendy, our products are built to stand the test of time. This is why we’ve chosen to design a loudspeaker which highlights the beauty and sanctity of music over all else.
With Stenheim, rediscover engagement with music and sensation of immersive listening.
Forget technology simply experience music.
ALUMINE MOVIE- please contact us for pricing
STENHEIM UPGRADES ITS REVOLUTIONARY MULTICHANNEL SYSTEM WITH ALUMINE TWO AND ALUMINE SUB
Thanks to the exceptional qualities of STENHEIM Alumine range, particularly the dynamics, precision and sound amplitude, the Alumine MOVIE system immerses the listener in the heart of the action with impact and bluffing veracity.
Total sound immersion from any stereo or multichannel source is made possible with 5 or more Alumine Two, and 1 or several Alumine SUB.
Any multichannel or home cinema processor can analyze source signals so that all information within both the original signal and those relating to the ambient sound are separated and carefully balanced over each of the Stenheim system’s channel, thus
creating a remarkable sound environment – be this for music, movies, video games or a Youtube concert.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- 5.1 to 9.2.4 multichannel configuration
- Expandable LFE sub channels with Alumine SUB
- High efficiency Passive speakers able to be connected directly to any Home cinema processor with multichannel amplifiers
- Frequency response : 15Hz to 30 kHz
- High Power Handling :
- Alumine SUB : 1500 W each (build in amp in option)
- Alumine TWO : 200W per channel
- Modular configuration :
- 5.1 to 9.2.4 multichannel
- 5 to 14 Alumine TWO
- 1 to 4 Alumine SUB
Some manufacturers focus on the sensory, others on technology. Our approach merges the two because we understand the relationship between real physical constraints and their impact on the subjective quality of listening. Ignoring the trendy, our products are built to stand the test of time. This is why we’ve chosen to design a loudspeaker which highlights the beauty and sanctity of music over all else.
With Stenheim, rediscover engagement with music and sensation of immersive listening.
Forget technology simply experience music.
Reference Ultime Two
Performance that honors the performance
REFERENCE ULTIME TWO $153,000
Full-Passive Reference speaker, 2×5 drivers
Choice of color; Light or Dark shiny Grey structured coating on top and sides
Black front and rear panels, Stenheim Red side bars
Options – $8,500
Full Black, Ivory, Dark Brown, side bars Silver, Black, or Gold
Conceived and built entirely in Switzerland, our new Reference Ultime Two speaker offers the proven design approach, components and materials used so successfully in our Reference Ultime models, in a more compact product that is easier to accommodate.
Like all of the existing Reference models, the Reference Ultime Two is a full d’Appolito design, with an off-set symmetrical driver layout. Internally, the similarities continue, with the passive crossover sharing the same essential electrical characteristics and quality as our existing designs. Rather than the two, rear-firing bass units of the existing Reference Ultime models, it employs a pair of rear-facing laminar flow reflex ports (similar to those developed and so successfully used in the Alumine Five models), to load the front-mounted 12” drivers.
The Reference Ultime Two delivers audio performance that honours the musical performance, a listening experience that captures the energy and atmosphere of a live concert, that encapsulates the excitement and emotional response of a live audience.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
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High-sensitivity Reference Ultime loudspeaker system
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Full d’Appolito array with 2×12” woofers, 2×6 1⁄2” midrange and 1x 25mm tweeter
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Massive aluminium cabinet with six independent, internal chambers.
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Sealed chambers for each midrange, the tweeter and crossover
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Separate bass chambers loaded with rear-facing laminar flow ports
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Passive three-way crossover, using audiophile grade components, sealed in an airtight chamber
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Frequency response: 25Hz to 35kHz
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Sensitivity: 95dB, half space
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Power handling: 400 WRMS, 800 W peak
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Minimum recommended amplifier power: 30 W
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Nominal impedance: 4Ω
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Dimensions: H1535mmxW368mmxD505mm
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Weight: 231 Kg each
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Warranty: 5 years
REFERENCE ULTIME THREE
Light or Dark Grey structured coating on side & top panels; black front and rear panels, STENHEIM red MTM and side lines
$212,000
ACTIVE CROSSOVER – Active Analogue Stereo Crossover with audiophile components “CH Precision” chassis (1 piece) $41,500
PASSIVE CROSSOVER – External Passive Mono Crossover with audiophile components $36,000
Options:
Choice of color: Full Black, Ivory, or Dark Brown; MTM and sides bars in red, black, gold, or any car painting color $10,500
Motorized MTM with remote control $15,000
Back fire super-tweeter $14,250
Delivered in 2 STENHEIM flight cases with rollers $7,000
STENHEIM WILL TAKE THE WORLD OF PASSIONATE AUDIOPHILES BY STORM, WITH ITS NEW STATE-OF-THE ART SPEAKER
This speaker was created in pure and well-studied lines to create not only a superb look, but unparalleled sound rendition, based on the concept behind the already well-reputed Alumine. It will enthrall future owners with its exceptional musicality, its three-dimensional space, and vibrantly alive, natural soundstage.
Then there’s its flawless rendering of any genre of music, along with impressive sound levels from the deepest bass to the highest notes. The Reference is also distinct in its exceptional ease-of-use, thanks to remote operation of the MTM couple (medium tweeter) diffusion angle.
It also adapts to all amplification systems and rooms, thanks to a medium-bass frequency filter included in a separate housing unit that inserts between the pre-amps and the amps (minimum 2, and up to 6 amps per speaker).
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Reference loudspeakers with 8 transducers in full d’Appolito configuration
- 4 x 32 cm high excursion woofers, 2 x 17 cm neodimium medium, 1 x neodimium tweeter, 1 x Ribbon super tweeter
- Massive aluminium cabinet with 6 independent closed chambers (no ports)
- Motorized angle deviation of the MTM section
- Passive 4 ways, with analogue filter for the bass section (module inserted between preamp and power amp)
- Connection with 2 stereo or 4 mono separate amplifiers
- Frequency response : 15Hz to 100Khz
- Power handling : Bass section: 1400 W RMS – Medium-tweeter section: 250 W RMS
- Sensitivity : min 96dB SPL/2.83V/1m
- Max SPL : 120 dB
- Dim : H 1670mm x W 370mm x D 560 mm
- Weight : approx. 240kg each
- Stereo active analogue 2 ways crossover and 3 ways passive corssover
- Full warranty: 10 years
REFERENCE ULTIME FIVE $380,000
2x REFERENCE main speakers with 2×9 drivers, motorized MTM and backfire Super Tweeter
2x Alumine SUB with 2x 13 inches drivers
2x Active Analogue Mono Crossovers with audiophile components
Light or Dark shiny Grey structured coating for side panels with Red or Gold for MTM and side lines; front and rear panels are always black
Options:
2x additional Alumine SUB (stacked) without amps $58,000
Choice of color;
Full Black, Ivory, or Dark Brown; the MTM and sides bars in red, black, gold, or any car painting color
$14,000
You dreamed of the Reference Statement…
Let’s try the Reference Ultime Five in a more compact format.
This speaker system (2 towers and 2 or even 4 subs) was created in pure and well-studied lines to create not only a superb look, but unparalleled sound rendition, based on the concept behind the already well-reputed Reference Statement. It will enthral future owners with its exceptional dynamic and musicality, its three dimensional space, and vibrantly alive, natural soundstage. Then there’s its flawless rendering of any genre of music, along with impressive sound levels from the deepest bass to the highest notes.
The Reference Ultime Five is also distinct in its exceptional ease-of-use, thanks to remote operation of the MTM couple (Medium-Tweeter-Medium) diffusion angle. It also adapts to all amplification systems and rooms, thanks to the 2 monaural 3way active crossovers (medium-bass-sub bass) included in 2 separate CH Precision housings.
Ignoring the trendy, our products are built to stand the test of time. This is why we’ve chosen to design loudspeakers that highlight the beauty and sanctity of music over all else.
With Stenheim, rediscover engagement with music and sensation of live listening.
Forget technology simply experience music.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
-
REFERENCE speaker system
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2 full range towers with
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2 x 8 transducers in full d’Appolito
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8 x 13 inches woofers
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4 x 6.5 inches neodymium medium drivers,
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2 x neodymium tweeters
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2 x ribbon super tweeters
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2 x back ribbon super tweeters
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2 or 4 Alumine SUB with :
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4 or 8 x 13 inches high excursion subwoofers,
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2 or 4 x 1500W monoblock amps
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Motorized angle deviation of the MTM section
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Passive-active 5 ways system, with
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2 analogue active mono crossovers
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Frequency response : 12Hz to 100kHz
STENHEIM is set to create waves in the world of high-end audio with its new top of the range loudspeakers
This speaker system was created in pure and well-studied lines to create not only a superb look, but unparalleled sound rendition, based on the concept behind the already well-reputed Reference. It will enthral future owners with its exceptional dynamics and musicality, its three-dimensional space and vibrantly alive, natural soundstage.
Then there’s its flawless rendering of any genre of music, along with impressive sound levels from the deepest bass to the highest notes. The Reference Statement is also remarkable in its exceptional ease-of-use, thanks to remote operation of the MTM couple (medium tweeter) diffusion angle.
The sub tower extends the range of the deepest bass allowing the wideband Reference to reproduce the entire spectrum of high bass with even more dynamics and control.
It also adapts to all amplification systems and rooms, thanks to a medium-bass and sub-bass frequency filter included in a separate unit that is added between the pre-amps and the amps.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
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Reference speaker system:
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2 Reference full rage speakers with
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2 x 8 transducers in full d’Appolito configuration –
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2 Reference sub towers with
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2 x 6 transducers
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2 x 3 monoblock amplifiers of 1200 w each
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-
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20 x 13 inches high excursion woofers, 4 x 6.5 inches neodymium medium drivers, 2 x neodymium tweeters and 2 x Ribbon supertweeters
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4 massive aluminium cabinets with 24 independent closed chambers
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Motorized angle deviation of the MTM section
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Passive-active 5 ways system, with analogue active crossover for bass and sub woofer section
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Connection with 2 stereo or 4 mono separate amplifiers (sub towers are self powered)
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Frequency response : 10Hz to 100kHz
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Power handling : Sub Tower including 3 monoblock amplifiers: 3600 W – Bass section: 1400 W RMS – Medium-tweeter section: 250 W RMS – System total power: more than 10’000 W RMS
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Sensitivity : 96dB SPL/2.83V/1m
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Dim : 4x H 1890mm x W 370mm x D 560 mm
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Weight : 4 x 300 Kg (including Ultimate Reference Stands)
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2 x mono active analogue 3 ways crossover
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Warranty: 5 years
A visit with the Stenheim Reference Statement
by Norman Williams
Do you remember, the 17th night of September?
I do, and it was a soiree not to forget indeed. In fact, I consider it an early birthday present.
Jean-Pascal Panchard (JPP), owner and CEO of Stenheim had invited me to an official demo session of his Reference speaker back in late 2014 (before the CES Show), but due to conflicts I couldn’t make it. Later, I still was not able to make it for March 2015 follow-up date, and that pair eventually went off for review. Therefore, I was determined to make it to the latest invitation to hear the latest product, the Reference STATEMENT speakers, ie. the Reference MTM boxes with complementary bass towers. I am glad I did, and the group of invitees were delightfully treated to great music, a live song by a talented local young lady, and wine with tasty hors d’oeuvres served by JPP and his charming wife, Pascale.
Each of these metal-alloy monoliths weigh something like 300kgs with included stands, so moving them is no trivial matter, and these were not set up at the business premises in Vetroz, rather in his loft-space living room (in his lovely home) with a spectacular Valais mountain view as a backdrop. The Valais is a (South-Westerly) Swiss Canton, close to France and Italy, and the capital is Sion. JPP lives close to Martigny.
The main commercial market for these speakers is Asia at the moment, but I suspect that Stenheim has plans to broaden that base. The cool thing about the Reference module (and necessary given the weight) is that the MTM array is on a remote-controlled pivot, so the mids and highs can be actively adjusted for listening position from the comfort of one’s chair. This is a feature much appreciated by owners so far, I am told.
The only difference between the Reference system and the Statement system is the ability to pressurize a much larger room. Indeed, the rather large, open living room with near double-height ceiling was still way too small for the Statement, and JPP told me that only 10% power was being supplied to the bass modules. Anything more would have overloaded the room.
Stenheim has a strategic arrangement with CH Precision, as evidenced by the plethora of CH boxes on display at the demo, and indeed some of those boxes had bespoke crossover arrays for the Statement Bass modules and the CH bass amplifiers. As JPP was Marketing Manager for Nagra in a previous life, he appears to have retained great contacts there, and so the hot Nagra HD (Tube) DAC was the converter of choice for this session. Absolare tube amps were the selected for the reference MTM array. A NAT tube amp and a Nagra 300B amp were only there on static display.
The music was fed by physical CD via a CH Precision spinner, but mostly by a stock MacBook Air laptop. JPP was very gracious and allowed me to bring some SuperCD and UltraCD RBCD samplers, as well as various DSD and PCM HiRez tracks. Notable songs played were: Lhasa’s “Anywhere on this Road”, Chie Ayado “Tennessee Waltz”, Jose Carreras, “Misa Criolla”, Yuri Honing Trio “Walking on the Moon”, Lila Downs “Semillas de Piedra”, and a lot more. For DSD there were also many, but we made a point to listen to a vinyl rip of Satchmo’s “St James Infirmary” and to compare PCM and DSD versions of Masekela’s “STIMELA” (the PCM was better, as it was closer to the master source).
All sounded absolutely fabulous as you would expect from such a top-class chain — CH-Nagra-Absolare-Stenheim — and there was even a couple of standing ovations during the night. If I recall well, this would have been for the “Semilla de Piedra” from Lila Downs and “Swing Low” by the Fairfield 4, and the live number done by the surprisingly talented young lady with her acoustic guitar. I didn’t get a name, but she could not have been more than 20 years old. Based on what I heard, I think she needs to sign up for the EuroVision contest immediately!
It is not my style to wax poetic about the nuances of gear, so I will simply state that this was clearly in the top 5 of demos I have ever heard. With bass response going down to a good 10Hz, the Statement will handle any and all organ music with aplomb, as was heard with the rendition of Gnomus we threw at it. These are awesome, well-balanced speakers that provide reference sound reproduction in a very neutral and transparent manner. The system lacked nothing in terms of authority or clarity and delivered a thoroughly convincing performance, to the point where the mostly layman audience thought they were sitting in a live show. The applause was genuine and spontaneous. Kudos to JPP, Stenheim and his equipment partners. All the gear strutted their stuff and showed their class. I was told that while Absolare would be more warm, the setup could have been done with CH driving the MTM array as well and we could have expected more transient speed but with less mid-range “liquidity”.
Now, these Reference/Statement monoliths are not inexpensive by any means and will cost in the range of $200K for the 2 box Reference ULTIME and $500K for the 4 box Reference STATEMENT (both with appropriate crossovers), but the craftsmanship is undeniable and the cost of production is surely “up there”. The Nagra DAC is approximately $20K and CH boxes tend to cost in the $35K range each, except for the new M1 amp which is about $80K and weighs about 80 kilos itself.
An interesting tidbit is that JPP is also the show organizer for “Sons et Sens”, as Swiss-brand-only audio show set in the lakeside Montreux, last held in 2013 at the Grand Hotel-Swiss Majestic. Hopefully, it will be renewed for a 2016 edition as it is the only show I know that combines audio with art and gastronomy, and is set in palatial accommodations! Here is a link to some 2013 coverage of the event.
Thanks for the hospitality Pascale and JPP! I thoroughly enjoyed the occasion and hope to repeat it sometime in the future.
REFERENCE ULTIME : EQUIPMENT REVIEW
The Audio Beat, US, August 2018 // Roy Gregory
“The Stenheim Reference Ultime has leap-frogged a host of well-established competitors to jostle for position right at the head of my To Be Taken Seriously list. Competitors and customers alike should take it equally seriously. It is quite capable of shocking, surprising, beguiling or just plain seducing . . .”
http://www.theaudiobeat.com/equipment/stenheim_reference_ultime.htm
REVIEW STENHEIM ALUMINE TWO
Alpha Audio, NL, April 2018 // Jaap Veenstra
“The real magic of this speaker is in the focusing, layering and vocal presentation. We can say that this monitor excels perfectly in those areas. Voices are unprecedentedly realistic and stable between the speakers and possess a frightening realism.”
https://www.alpha-audio.nl/2018/04/review-stenheim-alumine-two/
FIDELITY VISITS STENHEIM FACTORY
Fidelity International, D, March 2018 // Cai Brockmann
“EXPLORING FAR‑FLUNG HORIZONS!”
“Darum in die Ferne schweifen !”
ALUMINE FIVE : LISTENING BY ART DUDLEY
Stereophile, US, March 2018 // Art Dudley
” The Alumine Five sets itself apart by offering traditional high-end audio strengths, very wide bandwidth, excellent spatial performance, and freedom from gross colorations, with the drivability and consequent good levels of touch, force, and musical momentum that are seldom associated with loudspeakers of contemporary design and manufacture. “
https://www.stereophile.com/content/listening-183-stenheim-alumine-five
ALUMINE FIVE : TEST
Hifi Statement, Germany, 18.12.2017 // Dirk Sommer
” Die Alumine Five gibt sich wie erwartet ausgesprochen detailverliebt und profiliert sich als akkurater Full-Range-Monitor, auf den ich mich bei der Bearbeitung von Aufnahmen gern verlassen habe. Mit ihrer packenden Dynamik, der mitreißenden Spielfreude und dem bestens konturierten, satten und ungemein lebendigen Tieftonbereich hat sie mich erst überrascht und dann begeistert. Bei Stenheim seht der Spaß am Musikhören an erster Stelle! “
https://www.hifistatement.net/tests/item/2167-stenheim-alumine-five
VISITING STENHEIM LOUDSPEAKERS
The Audio Beat, US, April 2017 // Roy Gregory
” On first listen it looks like the Stenheim Alumine Five might just be that holy grail of loudspeaker design: a speaker that is genuinely neutral and revealing of musical purpose, using its resolution and transparency to cut to the heart of the intent behind the performance rather than the quality and nature of the recording that captured it. With enough bandwidth to deliver scale and impact, yet agile enough to respond to the most delicate musical input, the Five promises to be — just like the perfect middleweight — one of the best pound-for-pound musical transducers I’ve heard.
As a friend of mine is fond of saying, “Something happened. Something happened and we were lucky enough that somebody captured it.” If you are lucky, your system will tell you what it was that happened. Listening to the Alumine Fives leaves no doubt that something definitely happened. With a pair promised for review at the end of the year, I can hardly wait. “
ALUMINE FIVE : COVER FEATURE
Audiotechnique, Hong Kong, July 2017 // Lee 388
(Google english translation of chinese text)
” After I had set a good position for it, and after several weeks of comprehensive testing, hey, it did not fail to live up to the brand’s reputation. It was absolutely brilliant and the results were excellent. Alumine FIVE is the most amazing In addition to its common dry, cold, and hard sound characteristics, which is based on the use of a sound box built entirely of aluminum alloy and without a half-dot metal box speaker, its 1 magnetic soft film tweeter is from the Danish factory Scan-Speak special custom product, but under the overall play, the high frequency of that kind of transparent, calm, delicate, crystal clear and flowing feeling actually made me feel like listening to a diamond tweeter. The design skills of the party’s development team are unfathomable! Under the background of extraordinary treble, Alumine FIVE’s mid-range area produces an exquisite charm. It has both good and wonderful lines, as well as clear lines. The sound density is extremely high. Whether replaying vocals or instrumental music, the unique texture of the sound and the extension of the harmonics have a high level of performance, and there is no deterrence. Therefore, the degree of truth is very good. As for the low-frequency rebroadcast, Alumine FIVE also surprised me. The effect of the replay of the dual 10-inch woofers and the carefully modulated independent sound room is unexpected. It is deep enough, it responds extremely quickly, and it has a sufficient amount of sense. , The replay of drumming music and the flourishing of the music of the big scenes are the most heard of many Hi-End speakers in this magazine! ”
ALUMINE TWO : FIRST SOUNDS
The Audio Beat, UK, March 2017 // Roy Gregory
” If you need a compact speaker that allows your music to breathe, that’s big on expression, big on intimacy and communication but isn’t phased by big or loud, then the Alumine 2 could be just what you’re looking for. Other brands might make more noise about (and with) their aluminium boxes, but for me, right now it’s the Stenheims that are the ones delivering the musical goods. “
by Roy Gregory, March 1, 2017
ALUMINE FIVE : BEST OF SHOW CONTENDER
TAS, US, Highend Munich, May 2016 // Jonathan Valin
“Stenheim showed its €50k Alumine Five four-driver three-way with Audio Consulting turntable, preamp, phono amp, and amp, Nagra digital, and Brandt cable from Geneva. This was quite a remarkable setup as I heard things through it that I hadn’t heard as clearly on anything else, such as Paul’s fingering of Sebastian (his twelve-string casket-style guitar) on my PP&M LP. A Best of Show contender, for sure.”
REFERENCE STATEMENT : PRIVATE LISTENING
Audiophile Magazine, France , June 2015 // Jean-Marc Villafranca
“ Autant le système fait preuve de tempérance et de rigueur sur le classique autant sur de la musique pop il devient assez jubilatoire. Le live de Hotel California des Eagles a fait bouger des pieds dans la salle, c’est sur. Cette façon de proposer un son juste en avant des enceintes rapproche l’auditeur de la musique, c’est palpable, vivant et joyeux. Bravo.”
http://www.audiophile-magazine.com/reportages/happening-stenheim/
REFERENCE STATEMENT : HIGH END 2015
Stereophile, US, May 2015 // Jason Victor Serinus
Day 3: High End 2015 Hits Its Stride
” On Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson, I experienced a mildly euphonic and thoroughly enjoyable presentation where highs seemed true and brass had requisite bite. The system sounded absolutely marvelous reproducing trained operatic voices and full orchestra, and nailed huge percussive thwacks like nobody’s business. It was just the kind of warm sound that many audiophiles relish, except that it also had the slam and bite of the best systems. Word has it that the channels were inexplicably reversed until the last day of the show, but that didn’t stop this set-up from sounding fantastic.”
ALUMINE TWO : BEST PERFORMANCE AWARD
My Hiend, Taiwan, December 2013 // Leo Yeh
Quality and performance rewarded
My-Hiend was rewarded Stenheim Alumine 2 with Way a Best Performance Award. Discover a full report by following this link.
ALUMINE TWO
Stereophile, US, Avril 2012 // Art Dudley
Stenheim received the Class A recommendation from Stereophile
ALUMINE TWO
Haute Fidelité, France, Juin 2011 // William Savignac
The French magazine Haute-Fidélité reviewed the Alumine Bookshelf speaker