Bookshelf Speakers — Audes Llc. Maestro 106

The Maestro 106 is the two-way bookshelf model in the Maestro series of Audes, the Estonian speaker company that dates its origins to the Raadio-Elektrotehnika Tehas factory in Tallinn. The series was redesigned for 2015, the year that marked 80 years since RET was registered, with the aim of bringing back the feel of classic hi-fi while reflecting later progress in technology and cabinet making. Audes describes the 106 as a classic two-way bookshelf and a compact solution within the range.

Key specs that matter

A 6.5-inch paper cone woofer, designed and manufactured by Audes, hands over to a 1-inch fabric dome tweeter at 950 Hz. The rated frequency range is 45 Hz to 20,000 Hz within 3 dB, and the low frequency corner at -6 dB lies at 30 Hz. Sensitivity is 86 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m into a nominal impedance of 8 ohm. Audes rates the speaker for 75 W maximum long-term power and 100 W maximum short-term power. Each cabinet measures 335 mm high, 198 mm wide and 285 mm deep, and weighs 8 kg.

Engineering and use context

The woofer sits in a ported enclosure. According to Audes, the 1-inch tweeter allows a sufficiently low crossover point, and that low transition between the drivers is what the maker relies on for good directivity. The Maestro range uses proprietary Audes woofers and inductors that were optimised specifically for this series, and Audes calls the models extremely easy to drive. The cabinets have sharp, accurate forms. Two standard finishes are offered - satin walnut real wood veneer and black paint - while special colours and other veneers can be ordered as separate custom work. A matching ST 106 stand is optional and sold separately. It is 697 mm high, 218 mm wide and 305 mm deep. The same 6.5-inch woofer, 1-inch tweeter, crossover point, sensitivity and impedance appear in the Maestro 116, a two-way floorstander 986 mm tall that extends deeper and weighs 17 kg.

Pairing

The 106 is the less efficient of the two Maestro bookshelf models, and its long-term power rating is almost twice that of the smaller one. The three-way 146 floorstander, with an 8-inch Audes woofer, has 91 dB sensitivity and a 4 ohm impedance, so it presents a lower load from the 106 when the two are used in one system. For a center channel, Audes lists the Maestro 025 with two 5.25-inch mid-woofers and a 1-inch tweeter.

Alternatives

The Audes Maestro 005 is a smaller two-way shelf model with shielded Peerless drivers, 90 dB sensitivity, a 4 ohm load and a cabinet of 325 x 160 x 228 mm.