Напольная акустика — Kroma Atelier Stella

The Stella is a three-driver floorstanding loudspeaker from Kroma Atelier, the Granada-based company registered as Alhambra High End Audio S.L., and it is the second tower in the entry level Classic Series after the Thais. The Classic line also contains the Mimi, Julieta and Elektra, while the larger Signature and Reference ranges sit above it. In the United Kingdom a pair in standard finish is priced at GBP 35,495, with coloured versions adding GBP 1,520, and in Spain a pair costs EUR 40,000 including 20 percent VAT.

Key specs that matter

Each cabinet carries one AMT ribbon tweeter above three 6.5 inch mid/bass drivers whose diaphragms blend paper and fibre. Kroma rates the frequency response at 30 Hz to 30 kHz and sensitivity at 90 dB, with a 4 ohm impedance given as the minimum figure. The recommended amplifier range runs from 30 to 300 W. A single Stella is 116 cm high, 26 cm wide and 45 cm deep, and it weighs 45 kg.

Engineering and use context

The Stella enclosure uses Krion, the Porcelanosa Group solid surface in which aluminium trihydrate makes up about two thirds of the mass and high-resistance resin the remainder. Kroma's approach removes every metal part from the cabinet structure, so panels are joined with bonding methods and thermoplastic fixings instead of steel screws, and the non-magnetic Krion is combined with acoustic tonewoods. Bass loading uses two ports on the rear face, one placed high on the panel and the other low. The crossover is assembled by hand, and the brand lists Mundorf and Duelund among the suppliers of its network parts. Standard units are white Krion, and titanium, aluminium, champagne, wood or carbon side cheeks can be ordered. Six Aston Martin paint colours are offered as well - Supernova Red, Buckinghamshire Green, Seychelles Blue, Magnetic Silver, Magneto Bronze and Black.

Pairing

With its high sensitivity the Stella reaches normal listening levels on a few tens of watts, yet the low impedance minimum asks for amplification able to hold its output and supply current into low impedances, which points to solid-state designs rather than low-power valve amplifiers with high output impedance. The rear ports at two heights need free space behind the cabinets, so placing them tight against a wall is best avoided.

Alternatives

The Kroma Atelier Thais is the smaller Classic Series tower, with two mid/bass drivers in a 100 cm cabinet weighing 33 kg.