Bookshelf Speakers — Bryston Mini A

The Mini A from the Canadian company Bryston is a small stand-mount speaker with three drivers in a passive three-way arrangement. It was designed on the same principles as the larger Mini T, but swaps that model's 8 inch woofer and 5.25 inch midrange for a 6.5 inch woofer and a 3 inch midrange. Bryston lists new driver designs, enclosure vibration analysis, crossover refinement and anechoic chamber testing among the steps in its development, and it aims the model at buyers who want high build quality at an affordable price.

Key specs that matter

Bryston fits a 1 inch titanium dome tweeter, a 3 inch midrange and a 6.5 inch woofer, with the midrange and woofer both using aluminium cones. The crossover divides the signal at 160 Hz and 2.3 kHz. Frequency response is given as 60 Hz to 20 kHz within plus or minus 3 dB. Sensitivity is 87 dB measured at 2.83 V and 1 m under anechoic conditions, nominal impedance is 8 ohms, and Bryston recommends amplifiers of 10 to 175 W RMS. The maximum output is rated at 100 dB SPL at 1 m. Each cabinet stands 394 mm tall, 215 mm wide and 210 mm deep (15.5 x 8.5 x 8.25 inches), and weighs 5 kg, or 11 lb.

Engineering and use context

Custom drivers built for this model sit in die-cast aluminium baskets. The cabinet uses non-parallel side walls to reduce internal standing waves and a design aimed at preventing cabinet resonance. Bass loading is by reflex, through a rear-facing port, and the port has an irregular finish intended to reduce turbulence and air flow noise. The drivers and crossover are arranged for wide dispersion. Buyers can choose vinyl wraps in Black Ash, Natural Cherry or Boston Cherry, with custom wood veneer available at extra cost. Bryston states that the design keeps distortion low at high output levels. It also describes the form factor as décor-friendly and lists unit-to-unit matching among its features. The speaker is covered by a twenty-year parts and labour warranty.

Pairing

Bryston states that the internal crossovers were designed with its own amplifiers in mind, which makes a Bryston power or integrated amplifier within the recommended power range the intended match. The 8 ohm nominal load keeps the Mini A within reach of most amplifiers of suitable output.

Alternatives

Bryston's Mini T sits above the Mini A in size, pairing an 8 inch woofer with a 5.25 inch midrange for buyers who want bigger drivers.