HiVi-Swans D3.1 MKII Passive Bookshelf Speakers, 6.5″ 2-Way Home Speakers Pair
Featured in our review: HiVi-Swans D3.1 MKII Review – Affordable Speakers That Challenge High-End Audio
HiVi-Swans D3.1 MKII is a pair of passive 2-way bookshelf speakers with a 6.5-inch woofer and a 28 mm dome tweeter in an angled-baffle (“acoustic tilt”) cabinet. The brand’s text on the Amazon listing gives 85 dB sensitivity (2.83 V / 1 m), 8 ohm impedance, 10 to 120 W amplifier power and 39 Hz to 20 kHz. They are passive: you need a stereo amplifier or receiver, and with 85 dB sensitivity a capable one. We found no HiVi-Swans manufacturer spec page for this model and no independent measurements, so the figures are the brand’s claims. Check the current price on Amazon below.
Audiophile community verdict: See r/BudgetAudiophile community threads
$539.99
HiVi-Swans D3.1 MKII: passive 2-way bookshelf pair that needs a capable amplifier
The D3.1 MKII is a passive bookshelf speaker pair from HiVi-Swans. It has a 6.5-inch woofer, a 28 mm dome tweeter and an angled baffle, and it has no built-in amplifier. The specifications below come from the brand’s text on the Amazon listing, because we found no HiVi-Swans manufacturer page with a spec table for this model, and we found no independent measurements. Treat the numbers as claims.
What the listing states
- Drivers: 6.5-inch woofer and 28 mm dome tweeter in an “acoustic tilt” cabinet.
- Sensitivity: 85 dB at 2.83 V / 1 m. That is on the low side for a bookshelf speaker, so plan for an amplifier with real power.
- Impedance and power: 8 ohm, 10 to 120 W.
- Frequency range: 39 Hz to 20 kHz. Retailer listings differ on the upper limit and we could not confirm the bass figure.
- Size: 14.17 in deep, 8.58 in wide, 14.88 in high.
Who it’s for
Buyers who already have, or plan to buy, a capable stereo amplifier and want a larger passive bookshelf speaker. We sell amplifiers that suit it, for example the Fosi ZA3, the Fosi BT20A MAX and the AIYIMA A80.
Who should skip it
Skip these if you do not want to buy an amplifier separately: they are passive. The HiVi-Swans OS-10 is the active alternative. Also skip them if you need verified measurements before you buy; we found none.
Common questions
What amplifier should I pair with the D3.1 MKII? The brand lists 10 to 120 W at 8 ohm and 85 dB sensitivity, so choose an amplifier with real power rather than a very small one. See our bookshelf speaker guide and Class D amplifier guide.
Do they need a subwoofer? The brand claims 39 Hz. We found no measurement that confirms it, so judge bass in your own room and add a subwoofer if you want more.
How do they compare with other bookshelf speakers we sell? See the roundup for sensitivity, impedance and size side by side.
Where to buy
Amazon US is the main US-shipped path. The button below opens the listing.
What follows from the specs
- Passive speakers: they need a stereo amplifier or receiver. Do not connect them directly to a phone or computer.
- Sensitivity is 85 dB: choose an amplifier with real power. The brand lists 10 to 120 W at 8 ohm.
- Bass is a brand claim: 39 Hz is not confirmed by any measurement we found.
Amplifiers we sell
- Fosi ZA3: balanced input, no Bluetooth.
- Fosi BT20A MAX: Bluetooth, remote and subwoofer output.
- AIYIMA A80: DAC amplifier with USB, optical and coaxial inputs.
More options: Class D amplifier guide and bookshelf speaker guide.
Specification
| Brand | HiVi-Swans |
|---|---|
| Model | D3.1 MKII |
| Type | 2-way passive bookshelf speakers (pair) |
| Woofer | 6.5-inch |
| Tweeter | 28 mm dome |
| Design | Angled baffle ("acoustic tilt") per the brand text |
| Sensitivity | 85 dB at 2.83 V / 1 m (brand text on the Amazon listing) |
| Impedance | 8 ohm (brand text) |
| Power Handling | 10 - 120 W (brand text) |
| Frequency Range | 39 Hz - 20 kHz (brand claim; retailer listings differ at the top end) |
| Dimensions | 14.17 x 8.58 x 14.88 in (D x W x H) |
| Manufacturer | SWAN (HiVi-Swans) |
Based on 5 reviews
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Related buying guides
- HiVi-Swans D3.1 MkII reviewPassive bookshelf speakers under the $600 mark.
- Best budget bookshelf speakers of 2026Eight passive pairs we sell, ranked by use case and amplifier match.
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OnkyoAmplifiers, Streamer
Onkyo Muse Y-50 Network Streamer & Integrated High-Power Amplifier (Black)
0 out of 5(0)Onkyo Muse Y-50 — flagship all-in-one network streamer with integrated Class-AB high-power amplification. Combines hi-res streaming (WiFi + Bluetooth + Ethernet), DAC, preamp, and Class-AB power amp in one chassis – replaces a full rack of separates for less than the cost of a mid-tier standalone streamer. Drives 4-8 ohm bookshelves and small floorstanders with refined power. $1,499 direct from Onkyo, or Amazon US with Prime shipping.
SKU: n/a -
AIYIMAAmplifiers, DAC
AIYIMA A80 DAC Amplifier: ES9038Q2M + TPA3255, Bluetooth 5.1 aptX-HD
0 out of 5(0)AIYIMA A80 is a compact integrated amplifier with an ES9038Q2M DAC and a TPA3255 Class-D power stage. AIYIMA lists up to 300 W x 2 maximum output at 4 ohm (4 to 8 ohm speakers), PC-USB input up to PCM 384 kHz / 32-bit and DSD256, optical, coaxial, RCA and TRS inputs, and Bluetooth 5.1 (Qualcomm QCC3040; SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX-LL, aptX-HD). It has an AUX output for a subwoofer, a 12 V trigger and bass and treble controls. THD is quoted at 0.006% and SNR at 109 dB or better. About 6.1 x 4.8 x 1.6 in (155 x 123 x 41 mm), 850 g. $199.99 without and $229.99 with a US power supply at AIYIMA’s store (checked 2026-10-31). Direct from AIYIMA.
SKU: aiyima-a80 -
Polk AudioSpeakers
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)
0 out of 5(0)Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 bookshelf speaker pair: 6.5-inch woofers, Power Port bass and Hi-Res Audio, in Black, White and Walnut. List price $399 per pair.
★★★★★ 4.8/5 Amazon average · 810 ratings checked October 23, 2026. Most ratings are five-star.
Amazon prices differ by finish. Check the live price on Amazon before ordering.
SKU: POLK-ES20BRN -
EversoloDAC
Eversolo DAC Z10 Balanced Preamp + Headphone Amp — Fully Isolated Architecture, HDMI, AES/EBU, IIS
-15%
DACEversolo DAC Z10 Balanced Preamp + Headphone Amp — Fully Isolated Architecture, HDMI, AES/EBU, IIS
0 out of 5(0)Eversolo DAC Z10 — the flagship desktop DAC from Zidoo’s audiophile brand. Positioned squarely against Chord Qutest ($1,800), RME ADI-2 Pro FS ($2,300), and Denafrips Pontus II ($1,900) — with an almost identical spec sheet at hundreds less. Fully isolated architecture (dedicated separate PSUs for digital, DAC, analog, and headphone amp sections), fully balanced XLR + RCA preamplifier stage, discrete headphone amplifier module with balanced 4.4 mm + single-ended 6.35 mm. Input suite covers everything a modern desktop needs: USB Audio, Coaxial, Optical, AES/EBU, IIS (HDMI-based I2S), HDMI ARC. Native PCM 768 kHz / DSD512 + MQA rendering. Ships with remote control (rare at this tier). Under $2K on Amazon for a fully-isolated balanced preamp/DAC/headphone amp combo — this is the “endgame or near-endgame” desktop DAC for anyone stepping up from our FiiO K11 R2R or K13 R2R. Live price on Amazon below.
Audiophile community verdict: See ASR forum flagship DAC discussions
SKU: B0G4WXZ4LY -
SoundcoreHeadphones
Soundcore Space One Pro, Over-Ear Headphone
Rated 4.4 out of 5(8)Soundcore Space One Pro — flagship Anker over-ear active noise cancelling (ANC) Bluetooth headphones under $150 with LDAC hi-res codec support, adaptive ANC across low and mid frequencies (real plane / office / bus quieting), 60+ hour battery life with ANC off (~40 with ANC on), and USB-C fast charge (5-min top-up delivers ~4 hours of playback). Multipoint Bluetooth pairing switches automatically between laptop and phone for seamless call handling. Foldable design with included travel case fits in a backpack pocket; under 300 g weight keeps them comfortable for long-haul flights. Mildly V-shaped tuning (bass and treble emphasis) — pop / hip-hop / EDM friendly, less studio-neutral. Targets the Sony WH-1000XM5 / Bose QC Ultra segment at half the price and closes most of the gap on features. Great primary travel pair or a “features-first” upgrade from AirPods Pro. Live price on Amazon below.
SKU: B0CZ8G716J -
AIYIMAAmplifiers
AIYIMA A20 MONO Class-D Monoblock Power Amplifier
0 out of 5(0)Featured in our review: The $130 Dual-Mono Trick: How Two AIYIMA A20 MONO Blocks Unlock a Soundstage That Shouldn’t Be Possible This Cheap
Featured in our review: This Tiny ( Monoblock Just Hit 417 Watts – Is It a Budget Audio Game Changer?
AIYIMA A20 MONO — true Class-D monoblock power amplifier delivering 300 W into 4 ohm (up to 600 W into 2 ohm at 10% THD) from a chassis smaller than a paperback. Built on the audiophile-favorite TPA3255 chipset with OPA1612 + LME49720 op-amps for a clean, low-distortion signal path. RCA + XLR + 6.35 mm TRS inputs; passive speaker binding posts and a dedicated RCA subwoofer output with adjustable high-pass filter. THD+N of 0.002% and signal-to-noise ratio above 118 dB — measurements that shame amplifiers 3× the price. Run one A20 MONO per channel as a dual-mono stack for a true balanced monoblock rig (each block gets its own dedicated power supply and current path, so left and right never fight over current). Frequency response 20 Hz – 20 kHz within ±0.4 dB. External DC 32-48 V power adapter included. Ideal amp for HiVi-Swans D3.1 MKII, Klipsch RP-500M II, and similar 87-96 dB sensitivity bookshelves. Pre-order launch $129.99 (regularly $149.99) — direct from Aiyima with our promo code.
SKU: aiyima-a20-mono -
KlipschSpeakers
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M II Ebony Bookshelf Speakers Pair
0 out of 5(0)Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M II bookshelf speakers: a 6.5-inch Cerametallic woofer, a 1-inch titanium LTS tweeter on a 90 x 90 degree hybrid Tractrix horn, a rear-firing Tractrix port and dual aluminum binding posts (bi-wire / bi-amp capable). Klipsch lists 94.5 dB sensitivity (2.83 V / 1 m), 44 Hz to 25 kHz (±3 dB) and 8 ohms nominal; Erin’s Audio Corner measured 86 dB, so give them an amplifier with real power. The larger sibling of the RP-500M II. 15.75 x 7.95 x 13.00 in and 18.1 lb each. Price and finish on Amazon below.
SKU: n/a -
FiiOAmplifiers
FiiO EA13 Class A Push-Pull Tube Integrated Amp — EL34 x4, 28W/ch, VU Meters, Headphone Out
AmplifiersFiiO EA13 Class A Push-Pull Tube Integrated Amp — EL34 x4, 28W/ch, VU Meters, Headphone Out
0 out of 5(0)FiiO EA13 — the K-series brand you know from the FiiO K11 / K11 R2R / K13 R2R DAC line goes big: a real Class A push-pull tube integrated amplifier with four EL34 vacuum tubes, 28 W/channel into 4-8 Ω, 4 RCA inputs, dedicated headphone output, and dual analog VU meters. This is a proper 18 kg tube amp with 400V+ B+ rail, not a hybrid or “tube preamp with Class D power stage” gimmick. Under $800 for a real EL34 push-pull integrated — that price point used to start at $1,500+ from PrimaLuna or Willsenton. Drives high-efficiency dynamic speakers (Klipsch Heritage, Zu Audio, high-sensitivity Wharfedale) plus most 88+ dB bookshelves with tube warmth and dynamics tube fans buy tubes to hear. Live price on Amazon below.
Audiophile community verdict: See ASR forum tube amp discussions
SKU: B0HCV7HQ3K -
HiFiMANHeadphones
HiFiMAN Sundara Over-Ear Planar Magnetic Headphones — The Reference Sub-$300 Planar
0 out of 5(0)HiFiMAN Sundara — r/headphones’ default recommendation for “your first planar magnetic headphone.” Full-size open-back design with HiFiMAN’s planar magnetic driver tech, delivering the detail retrieval, transient speed, and sub-bass extension that dynamic drivers can’t match at this price. Requires a proper headphone amp (like FiiO K11 or AIYIMA H4). $299 MSRP, often $199 on sale.
Audiophile community verdict: See what audiophiles say on r/headphones community thread
SKU: n/a -
DenonReceivers
Denon AVR-X1800H 7.2-Channel 8K AV Receiver with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, HEOS, Audyssey
0 out of 5(0)Denon AVR-X1800H — the most-recommended sub-$600 AVR on r/hometheater in 2025-2026. 7.2 channels, 80W per channel, full Dolby Atmos + DTS:X support with height speakers, 6 in / 1 out HDMI 2.1 with 8K/60 and 4K/120 passthrough, HEOS wireless multi-room, and Audyssey MultEQ room correction. Perfect entry-tier home theater AVR that pairs with our reviewed HiVi D3.1 MKII or Klipsch RP-500M II as front L/R. $549 on Amazon US.
Audiophile community verdict: See what audiophiles say on r/hometheater review thread
SKU: n/a -
AIYIMAAmplifiers
AIYIMA D20 Balanced Bluetooth DAC & Preamp with Headphone Amp
0 out of 5(0)AIYIMA D20 — flagship desktop balanced Bluetooth DAC and preamp with dedicated headphone amp, three units in one chassis. Balanced XLR + RCA preamp outputs feed any power amp cleanly (natural pairing with the AIYIMA A20 MONO monoblocks for a full dual-mono chain). Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC and aptX-HD codecs — real 990 kbps hi-res wireless from TIDAL, Qobuz, and Apple Music, not compressed dongle Bluetooth. Front-panel headphone amp drives planars and 300 ohm dynamics without breaking a sweat. USB DAC input handles PCM up to 32-bit / 384 kHz and DSD256 native; optical and coaxial S/PDIF cover legacy digital sources. Analog volume control tracks perfectly at low listening levels — no channel imbalance. Replaces a $300 DAC + $200 preamp + $150 headphone amp stack in one $299 unit. Pre-order live, ships July 29 direct from Aiyima with our promo code.
SKU: aiyima-d20 -
WiiMAmplifiers, Streamer
WiiM Amp Ultra Streaming Amplifier — 100W/ch, HDMI ARC, RoomFit, 3.5″ Touchscreen
Amplifiers, StreamerWiiM Amp Ultra Streaming Amplifier — 100W/ch, HDMI ARC, RoomFit, 3.5″ Touchscreen
0 out of 5(0)WiiM Amp Ultra — the amp-in-a-box flagship of the WiiM streaming line. 100 W/channel into 8 Ω (200 W into 4 Ω) via a beefier power supply than the WiiM Amp Pro, paired with an ES9039Q2M ESS Sabre DAC, HDMI ARC input for TV audio, RoomFit room correction (WiiM’s take on Dirac Live — free and built-in), and a 3.5″ full-color touchscreen for source and volume without opening the app. Full streaming stack: Wi-Fi 6, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify / Tidal / Amazon Music / Qobuz Connect, Roon Ready. Sibling to our WiiM Ultra streamer (streaming source only, no amp) — this one adds the amp stage in the same chassis. Under $500 on Amazon for an all-in-one that replaces streamer + DAC + integrated amp + Dirac-style room correction. Live price on Amazon below.
Audiophile community verdict: See ASR forum WiiM Amp Ultra thread
SKU: n/a -
FiiOHeadphones
FiiO EH11 Retro On-Ear Bluetooth Headphones
Rated 4.4 out of 5(8)Featured in our review: FiiO EH11 Review: LDAC Hi-Res Retro Headphones That Punch Way Above Their Price
FiiO EH11 — LDAC hi-res Bluetooth on-ear retro headphones under $130 with real 990 kbps LDAC codec for TIDAL / Qobuz / Apple Music hi-res streaming on Android (SBC + AAC fallback for iPhone). 40 mm dynamic drivers with warm-forward tuning that suits vocals, classic rock, and long listening sessions without fatigue. ~40 hours battery life, USB-C fast charging (10-min top-up delivers several hours of playback), 3.5 mm cable included for passive wired mode. Foldable retro form with included travel case fits in a backpack pocket; ~8.5 oz weight keeps them comfortable for all-day wear. FiiO build quality — metal accents, cushioned pads, real hinges. Undercuts most name-brand hi-res on-ear options while delivering codec-parity audio quality. Great daily-driver commuter pair or a “budget hi-res upgrade” from AirPods-tier wireless. Live price on Amazon below.
SKU: B0GGR18W7M -
OnkyoAmplifiers, Streamer
Onkyo Muse Y-50 80th Anniversary Special Edition Network Streamer & Integrated Amplifier
Amplifiers, StreamerOnkyo Muse Y-50 80th Anniversary Special Edition Network Streamer & Integrated Amplifier
0 out of 5(0)Onkyo Muse Y-50 80th Anniversary Special Edition — commemorative network streamer + integrated high-power amplifier celebrating 80 years of Japanese hi-fi craftsmanship. Limited-run finish and badging over the flagship Muse Y-50 platform. All-in-one solution combining hi-res streaming (WiFi + Bluetooth), DAC, preamp, and Class-AB power amplifier in one chassis. Drives 4-8 ohm bookshelves and floorstanders with authority. $1,699.99 direct from Onkyo — currently Out of Stock, notify list open.
SKU: n/a -
OnkyoAmplifiers, Streamer
Onkyo Icon P-80 Network Preamplifier (Black)
0 out of 5(0)Onkyo Icon P-80 — reference-tier network preamplifier and streamer from the Icon Series, engineered as the matched partner to the M-80 power amp. Handles source selection, hi-res network streaming (WiFi + Bluetooth + Ethernet), DAC, and analog preamplification with premium component selection. Pair with the M-80 for a full Icon separates system, or feed any high-quality power amp of your choice. $1,999.99 direct from Onkyo (no Amazon listing).
SKU: n/a -
OnkyoAmplifiers, Streamer
Onkyo Muse Y-40 Network Streamer & Integrated High-Power Amplifier (Black)
0 out of 5(0)Onkyo Muse Y-40 — all-in-one network streamer + integrated Class-AB amplifier at accessible price point. Complete hi-res streaming source + DAC + preamp + power amp in one $999 chassis. WiFi + Bluetooth + Ethernet + USB + optical + coax + RCA inputs. Perfect entry point to serious 2-channel hi-fi without a rack of separates. $999 direct from Onkyo, or Amazon US.
SKU: n/a -
SennheiserHeadphones
Sennheiser HD 600 Audiophile Open-Back Dynamic Wired Headphones — 300-Ohm Reference Neutral Tuning, 25+ Year Community Pedigree
HeadphonesSennheiser HD 600 Audiophile Open-Back Dynamic Wired Headphones — 300-Ohm Reference Neutral Tuning, 25+ Year Community Pedigree
0 out of 5(0)Sennheiser HD 600 Audiophile Open-Back Dynamic Wired Headphones — the reference open-back audiophile headphone the community has been recommending for 25+ years. 300-ohm dynamic driver, extraordinarily flat neutral tuning, user-replaceable earpads, headband, and cable. Reviewed by The Headphone Show (“The HD 600 is STILL one of the best headphones“). Requires a proper headphone amp — pair with the AIYIMA H4 desktop headphone amp and AIYIMA D20 DAC for a full reference chain under $500.
SKU: sennheiser-hd-600 -
FiiODAC
FiiO K11 R2R Desktop DAC and Headphone Amp — Discrete R2R Ladder Under $200
0 out of 5(0)FiiO K11 R2R — the cheapest way into true discrete R2R ladder DAC sound. Uses a hand-picked 24-bit resistor-ladder DAC circuit (physically different from the delta-sigma chips in the base K11 and every Topping/SMSL competitor) for the warmer, more analog top-end R2R is famous for — without the $1,000+ price tag. Full digital input suite: USB-C, coaxial, optical, plus Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC. Balanced 4.4 mm + single-ended 6.35 mm headphone outputs, 1400 mW into 32 Ω balanced — same power spec as base K11 but with R2R signature sound. Drives 32 Ω IEMs through 300 Ω Sennheiser dynamics with headroom to spare. Machined metal chassis, weighted knob, front OLED. Under $200 on Amazon is R2R value that did not exist two years ago. Live price on Amazon below.
Audiophile community verdict: See ASR forum R2R DAC discussions
SKU: n/a -
FiiODAC
FiiO K13 R2R Desktop DAC and Headphone Amp — Discrete R2R Ladder
Rated 4.5 out of 5(8)FiiO K13 R2R — flagship discrete R2R ladder DAC and headphone amp of FiiO K-series. Uses a fully discrete 24-bit R2R ladder DAC circuit (physically different topology than the delta-sigma DACs found in most sub-$500 units) for a warmer, more analog top-end that many listeners prefer for long sessions, vocal-forward music, or hot recordings. Full digital input suite: USB (PCM/DSD), coaxial and optical S/PDIF, plus Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC codec. Balanced XLR + 4.4 mm + single-ended 6.35 mm headphone outputs — full balanced signal path from DAC through amp to jack reduces channel crosstalk. Drives cleanly from 32 ohm IEMs to 300 ohm Sennheiser HD 800S with high-gain headroom. Metal chassis, weighted knob, MQA rendering support over USB (Roon / TIDAL). Serious desktop chain territory at K-series pricing. Live price on Amazon below.
Audiophile community verdict: See ASR forum R2R DAC discussions
SKU: B0FQ4SVMGY






































S. Lindsay –
I don’t write reviews a lot but I gotta review these. They are insane for the price. Nothing I’ve seen or heard comes close to these for the price point. Beautiful highs and mids, amazing imaging. The bass is ridiculous for bookshelves. It doesn’t PUNCH you like a sub would but the range these have is seriously impressive. Z reviews was right… buy these.
S. Lindsay –
Amazon Customer –
I didn’t just buy these; I bought TWO pairs!!.
As a veteran reviewer for Media Express – with 30+ years in the audiophile game, I can tell you: HiVi-Swans just pulled off the impossible.
I managed to get my hands on these and test them a full week before ZeosPantera dropped his viral review, and my initial reaction was exactly the same: These are “Nuts.”
The Sound: Out of This World The scale of sound coming out of these “babies” is simply not from this planet. The 6.5″ woofer and the 28mm German dome tweeter work in a synergy that defies physics. It’s a 3D wall of sound that hits you with an emotional impact usually reserved for high-end floorstanders.
CRITICAL WARNING – Read before buying: If you are a “flat sound” purist who wants a boring, clinical, and analytical frequency response—DO NOT BUY THESE. Go buy some dry studio monitors instead. Don’t buy these just to leave a 1-star review because they aren’t “flat.”
These speakers are for people who want EMOTIONS. They are tuned for:
Earth-shattering bass that makes you look for a hidden subwoofer.
Crystal-clear highs that make you smile every time a string is plucked.
Musicality that turns a listening session into an experience.
The Verdict from a Pro: HiVi-Swans has disrupted the entire Hi-Fi industry with the D3.1 MKII. They don’t just play music; they deliver a performance. The size-to-performance ratio is completely broken—they sound massive, expensive, and incredibly refined.
Whether you are in Chicago or anywhere else in the U.S., these are the gold standard for 2025. If you want to stop analyzing graphs and start enjoying your music again, this is your endgame.
Amazon Customer –
Artur –
I have a few speakers in my collection (eg) Elac Db 63 Monitor audio silver 100 7g Q Acoustics concept 50 Klipsch Rp 500m mk2. Wharfedale linton 85th anniversary Dali oberon 5 both recently sold. I have heard and had many more the few i mentioned but this speaker is the best sounding speaker I have ever heard its unbelievable its detailed imagiing is lovely it’s musical has bass sound stage is superb i don’t think you can better this speaker without spending a small fortune. For the price paid am gobsmacked Thanks to Z review i stumbled on watching YouTube..
Artur –
S. Lindsay –
They have no right to be in this price category. I think they even top my Elac bd63’s, Buchardt s300’s and Heco Celan 3’s although close to the last two mentioned. All of those above are absolutely great boxes. I definitely had to get used to their sound. It was different than what I’m accustomed to. But one word for me at least.
MAGIC . Crazy imaging. I can’t emphasize that enough. Sound staging and detail. The little stuff in the mix is noticeable. Stuff that gets drowned out by other speakers. Zeos was right. “How you do that”…They live out of the confinement of their MDF walls. I don’t want to change them out. I only have maybe 15-20hrs on them so there’s still a way to go. There’s one thing to mention. I wish the feet were removable. They don’t properly fit on my 24-In mono price stands.
They are big, heavy boxes. I was surprised my pair made their journey in one piece. The box was destroyed and falling apart by the time it got to my doorstep. They should have been double boxed or at least had more bracing inside. The only thing that was holding it together was the large copper staples. I was expecting some cracked MDF board but alas, both were in perfect condition. Other than that…I definitely encourage anyone to try these out. I don’t think they will disappoint
Update 1/26 :
Definitely a speaker with its own sound. I feel it’s a little thin in the mids. And there is a lower treble bump which I got used to. I would love to see Erin do an analysis on these. I tend to listen to warmer speakers. I now have a range of speakers to jump back and forth from. These really do not fall in my wheelhouse. But that said, it’s been hard for me to pull them out of the rotation. They keep going back in. I use them in an office situation mostly for low to mid level listening (solid state, digital, and tube amps). That’s where they shine for me.
The treble did smooth out quite a bit. It was a little harsh at first but it’s on the level now. Any bright recording is going to show through though. They are not forgiving in that regard. That’s the only downfall with these, amonst a midrange dip.
The imaging and soundstaging are what keep these going back in. They rank up there with my Def Tech Demand d15/d17 towers in that regard. I got both of those sets when everyone was dumping them. Those are a couple of the best deals I was ever able to take advantage of. But that’s another story. There is something special about these Swans that keep me coming back for more. And that’s all that we can ask for in this hobby. Sure they are not going to appeal to everyone. As for me, I can not stop listening to them 🤓🤟
S. Lindsay –
Peter –
These are seriously impressive.
They have shocking bass extension and tightness for their size likely do to their oversized voice coil. For most music, you probably won’t be missing anything if you don’t have a sub.
Mids and highs are very clear, though the highs are slightly emphasized to my ear, but nowhere near enough to be a true negative.
Detail throughout the full range is exceptional, especially considering their price.
Soundstage and imaging are fantastic, far exceeding expectations.
I can’t imagine myself finding anything close to this price point that can beat these. I wholeheartedly recommend them. They are incredible.
They won’t replace a higher end system like Philharmonic BMR Towers, but they are far closer than any other speaker or headphone I own, and 1/8th the cost.
Buy them. You won’t regret it.
Peter –