Bookshelf Speakers — Bryston Mini T

The Mini T is a passive stand-mount loudspeaker from Bryston, the Canadian maker based in Ontario. Bryston explains that the name is relative - the model is small only when set beside the rest of its T lineup - and describes it as a direct descendant of the Model T tower, meant for both 2-channel music systems and home theatre. The company builds it in Canada.

Key specs that matter

The Mini T uses three ways. A single 1 inch titanium dome tweeter sits above a 5.25 inch midrange and an 8 inch bass driver, and both cones are made of anodized aluminum, chosen by Bryston for wide bandwidth and low moving weight. The crossover points given in the quick setup guide are 160 Hz and 2.3 kHz. Bryston lists a frequency range of 33 Hz to 20 kHz within 3 dB, a sensitivity of 86 dB and a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Dynamic range reaches 112 dB measured at 1 m in an anechoic space. Each cabinet measures 571 mm high, 267 mm wide and 250 mm deep before the feet are added, and weighs 19 kg.

Engineering and use context

The large woofer in a box of this size is what lets the Mini T reach down to the low 30 Hz region, a figure normally associated with tower speakers. Two pairs of 5-way binding posts on the rear connect separately to the bass half of the crossover and to its upper half serving midrange and tweeter, and gold bridging bars join them for single-wire use. Removing the bars allows bi-wiring with two cables per speaker. The speaker ships with large non-marring feet already fitted, and spike feet plus an allen wrench are packed in the box. Both kinds of foot have threaded tops so their height can be altered for leveling. Optional port plugs are offered for owners who put the cabinet into a wall unit. Bryston stocks it in Black Ash, Walnut or Boston Cherry veneer and makes other finishes to order. Bryston also produced a Mini T Active version, which drops the passive crossover and relies on the BAX-1 DSP crossover plus three amplifier channels per speaker.

Pairing

Bryston recommends an amplifier delivering between 10 and 250 watts RMS per speaker, and with its low nominal impedance the Mini T wants an amplifier comfortable at low impedance. The brand offers its Target MR stand with a custom fitted top plate made for this cabinet. For the active variant Bryston suggests two 21B-cubed three channel power amplifiers, one per speaker.

Alternatives

The Bryston Mini A is a smaller bookshelf loudspeaker listed in the same passive catalogue.