Floorstanding loudspeakers — Sphinx Element 3

The Element 3 is a three-way tower speaker by Sphinx, a Dutch brand first set up in the 1980s and now revived by International Audio Holding, the group that also owns Siltech, Crystal Cable and HMS Elektronik. Its world premiere took place at High End Munich 2025 as the opening model of the Elements line. The pair price is USD 47,500, GBP 40,000 or EUR 45,000, backed by a parts-and-labour guarantee lasting five years.

Key specs that matter

Drivers comprise a 0.75-inch soft-dome tweeter, a 4.75-inch paper-cone midrange and a 6-inch paper-cone woofer. Sphinx rates sensitivity at 98 dB for 1 W (2.83 V) at 1 m and nominal impedance at 16 ohm. Response is 40 Hz to 30 kHz within 3 dB, and the bass reaches 25 Hz at the -10 dB point. Each cabinet measures 279.3 mm wide, 372.2 mm deep and 1082.6 mm high and weighs 56.4 kg. Finishes are Marble White and Midnight Grey.

Engineering and use context

Although the speaker is driven from a conventional amplifier through binding posts, it has three internal class D amplifiers of its own, one per driver. Sphinx calls the arrangement a PAC Hybrid Crossover - the incoming speaker-level signal goes through a balanced passive RC filter, then a low-gain buffer stage, and only then reaches the three internal amplifiers. The speaker therefore also needs mains power, and a rocker switch on the rear turns it on and off. A toggle switch adds 3 dB to the bass by raising the gain of the woofer amplifier. Zero Gravity Bass is the maker's name for the woofer loading, a variation on a transmission line in which a folded channel behind the single 6-inch unit ends at a port below the driver. The company states the aim is to reduce compression caused by the cabinet. The enclosure has an MDF core covered in synthetic stone, its sculpted form inspired by the outline of a harp. Internal wiring comes from the group's cable know-how, and the design draws on the earlier Siltech Symphony and Crystal Cable Minissimo Forte speakers. Every pair is assembled by hand and tuned in the Netherlands.

Pairing

Since the internal amplifiers do the actual driving, the external amplifier sees an easy load. The suggested amount is around 50 W from a solid-state design or 40 W from valves. Conventional binding posts take the amplifier connection, and each cabinet comes with a built-in power cord for its internal electronics.

Alternatives

Within the Elements line the Sphinx Element 5 is the bigger floorstanding model, with its Zero Gravity bass extended to 19 Hz.