Floorstanding loudspeakers — Stenheim Reference Ultime Two

The Reference Ultime Two is a large floorstanding loudspeaker from Stenheim, built at an exceptional weight with high sensitivity. Stenheim is a Swiss manufacturer with a serious reputation for horn-loaded loudspeaker engineering built around vintage-inspired principles, and the Reference Ultime Two represents a substantial statement within the brand's flagship catalogue.

Position in line

It sits above the Alumine Five and below the active Reference Ultime Three in Stenheim's floorstanding hierarchy. This positioning between the more accessible Alumine Five and the active Ultime Three suggests the Reference Ultime Two occupies a serious upper tier within Stenheim's range, built for buyers wanting the brand's passive flagship engineering before considering the active alternative.

Key specs that matter

Rated response is 25 Hz to 35 kHz. Sensitivity is an exceptionally high 95 dB into 4 ohms, with power handling above 30 W, an unusually low minimum figure reflecting just how efficient this design is. At 153.5 x 36.8 x 50.5 cm and 231 kg it is an exceptionally heavy tower, among the most substantial domestic loudspeakers available from any manufacturer.

Sound and use context

Expect an extremely dynamic, effortless presentation given the exceptional 95 dB sensitivity, reaching high volume from remarkably little amplifier power - Stenheim's horn-loaded design philosophy is generally associated with an immediate, alive character quite unlike a conventional lower-sensitivity tower requiring considerably more power for the same volume level.

Pairing

The exceptional 95 dB sensitivity means even a very modest low-power tube amplifier reaches full room volume with ease, opening up amplifier choices that would be entirely impractical with almost any conventional loudspeaker.

Alternatives

The Alumine Five sits below this model in Stenheim's range for a more accessible tier; the active Reference Ultime Three sits above it, worth comparing directly with a specialist dealer given the exceptional investment and installation planning either flagship option within this range represents. Given the exceptional 231 kg weight, professional delivery and structural floor assessment are both essential considerations before this tower arrives, since a cabinet this heavy is not something to be positioned casually. Stenheim relatively specialist dealer network worldwide means sourcing an expert familiar with the brand horn-loaded engineering is well worth the extra research effort at this level.