I’ve had the Sibelius for 2 years. My listening room is my living room, which is small to medium sized for a living room. I have never got close to 90dB without it being way too loud. I have not experienced any distortion or muddying of the sound on metal or electronica at my realistic listening levels of way below 90dB. Also these speakers come in at 87dB sensitivity, which is medium efficiency. When I drove them with the Pass Labs INT-25 power and grip was a bit lacking. But that all changed when I got the Pass Labs INT-60, and using balanced XLR. This reference amp drives the Sibelius magnificently. So amp matching is important, and yes these are boutique speakers which are not meant to rock out at volume levels which are in any event damaging to your ears. And as Herb Reichert of Stereophile recently said: “the purpose of home audio is not to create realism per se but to present recordings in a manner that allows users to access the main pleasures the music and recording have to offer in a format suitable for domestic consumption.” The Sibelius are magic, with rich timbres and tonality. And are not bright speakers.
When I say here and in my written review that these are not the best for metal or rock, I am talking in comparison to other speakers. For example, the X2 does metal/rock much better than the Pearl but if one hasn't heard the X2 do metal them the Pearl sound with metal would be fine. They do ok with metal but that is not what they are made for. With Jazz/Classical/Vocals they best the X2 for all out realism. I also tested these with some pass gear as well though Harley is right, they sound best with Class A or good Class D. Remarkable speakers but they do have limitations vs some others due to the one small 4" driver. Those limitations are that they do get slightly muddy (compared to other speakers in the same price range) when turned up very loud with aggressive music. Even so they still sound great with metal and rock, but if that is ones main music choice there are better speakers for that. What I love about them is the way the treble does this 3D thing with some music. World class instrument separation and all with a glow that puts me in a great mood when listening. Always a smile! Enjoy!
Love the minimalist design. Zu Audio owner here. Appreciate the FRD ethos. Just the music piped through the speakers cables to the speakers and nothing else. Would love to try the Sibelius.
About 5 years ago I heard the Sibelius speakers at the Munich HiFi show plus I was able to hear everyone who attended the show comment on them. I drive them with Rogue audio tube amp and Geshelli DAC with Qobuz hi fi streaming. Unlike you I think the stands make a huge difference. As you say this all heart and the reason I listen to any music. I am not a casual listener I have to have the room darkened and my eyes closed.
I have a pair for a couple of years. Agree on almost everything you said. Re the base and spikes, you can put the spikes onto furniture discs and then it is easier to move the speakers on the stands. I can attest to wide genre range. From baroque chamber pieces where I can hear the room (I had thought that was audiophile nonsense until I heard it) to post-punk, neo-folk, various -wave (dark, cold, witch, new), electronica, even indie and punk (GBH, Rites of Spring). Wider than speaker soundstage, depth, detail, musicality, disappearing speakers, it is all there. I tried adding a sub (REL T9), but no matter the placement, it destroyed the cohesiveness of the sound from the Sibelius. I drive them with a PassLabs XA25 and a PrimaLuna EVO300 pre. Works great in my 18 x 18' room (diagonal set-up), can play them till it hurts my ears without the sound getting distorted, usually though at 65-70 dB. Best $4K I spent in audio. And Harley is absolutely top in customer service and communication.
I have had a pair for about a year - purchased them for the reasons listed here and they deliver in every way - atmospheric and detail and 3D and very natural - excellent with High Fidelity Cables
Accurate and informative review. Thank you. I love Markaudio drivers. The amazing Pearl Sibelius are sadly out of my price range BUT i do have the 6.5 inch, Markaudio MOAP 11 single drivers in a pair of Frugal XL Horn cabinets (self-build kit) and every positive comment made in this review i can say is also true about my speakers which are 100% keepers. Individual instruments and vocals have never sounded so real, coherent and detailed. Hope to listen to Sibelius speakers one fine day.
Me too. I am listening now as I answer this comment. So addicting. I can’t afford them at this time but maybe one day. I’d love a set in cherry or dark walnut. Maybe even British racing green. They offer various colors and two driver colors, copper or silver.
Many years ago I opted for single unit speakers. My Lowthers are now 50 years old althoughI have had new drivers in that time, the cabinets still same. If I had to change them for any other make it would be the Sibelius
Enjoyed the review very much. I have been using a pair of Sibelius CG speakers for over 2 years powered by CAT tube pre and power amps. They are truly magical. FYI if you were to use the stand with Stack Audio's Auva 100 isolators it will improve the sound quite a bit.
Pearl are doing their own UK made SE triode amp. Sounded great together. I heard them playing Bob Marley and they were fine with this type of music. According to their web site there are currently supply issues with the amp.
I am dying to hear these speakers! I have a pair of Mark Audio Pluvia 7HDs that I built some Pensil style enclosures for, and while the cabinet design differs a bit, it’s nearly identical in size and layout. I am blown away by the way these things sound! I know Harley worked with Mark on some custom spec drive cones for his Sibelius and I really hope I get the chance to give them a listen at some point. Thanks for another great review!
I ran across a used pair of Acoustic Technologies Classic speakers (transmission line, 3” full range driver). At first I was skeptical that such a small driver could produce a satisfying sound stage, but after listening to them I blown away!
Another very thoughtful review from you, thanks. I've been intrigued as well about these speakers. Everyone agrees they have a beautiful sound. Yet there always seems to be a yeah but aspect mentioned about them. In your case rock music & the stands. Like most, I have a wide range of musical taste that the speakers need to accommodate.
th-cam.com/video/yMU0Nazt--Q/w-d-xo.htmlsi=WuZdoCyJ3g04mJdK - Here is al ink to Harleys video that goes into the story of the Sibelius speakers. Enjoy!
Great review! I think these speakers are amazing. I would like so much to get the opportunity to listen to them. The fact that there is no crossover is great. There is no delay and phase rotation in the signal. I am wondering if the transmission line is supposed to be implemented in the wood cabinet is adding some phase rotation to the low frequencies. Regards
Very nice review, did you hear the Sibelius with the Daniel Hertz Maria 350 and how do you compare the Sibelius to the Amber from DH? Thanks for the review.
Talking of a driver handling a wide range of frequencies, the small 75mm 3 inch titanium driver in my Fyne Audio Vintage 12s handle 750 Hertz to 26 Khz.
yes - worth a listen if you can find a pair - might not seem important but even the detail and sound of the pedal being pressed is present and hyper real
I wonder that too...A 4" driver simply does not have the surface area of a 4ft x3ft Piano soundboard..Same reason no loudspeaker can recreate the 100ft x100ft point source of a symphony orchestra..The physics is not there.. (They don't build a 100ft full range speaker lol)
Every speaker has pros and cons..I wonder does this speaker have the speed/immediacy and transparency of an electrostatic ( eg Martin Logan ) bearing in mind that design has its caveats too.
EBM tracks separate very well in the percussion/drum machine area. No complaints. I would think the limiting factor is rather the amp for dynamics, not the speaker. I use a PassLabs XA25 on my Sibelius.
I suspect that these speakers are limited to a certain type of music ie acoustic instruments (?) All said, I recently demo'd ATC 50ASL ACTIVE speakers with their built-in Class AB tri-amp and was blown away! They were paired with an incredible preamplifier by Angela-Gilbert Yeung-s C312 and the synergy was outstanding. I'm now hooked on active speakers.
A SET amp is not needed with these. Even the company says class A or class D will sound best and they are right. Same with the OGY and BOB. The AGD duets, honestly, have a very similar vibe to the best SET amps I’ve heard. They, for me, best any amps I’ve ever heard in 36 years. That goes for tubes, class A monos, SET amps, etc. I’m sure these can sound wonderful with a nice set amp but they are not designed for those 3-4 watts amps.
How do they sound playing Return to Forever …”Theme to the Mothership”? Sorry to get so specific 😂. It was a great studio performance but so so mix… I just loved that particular band at the time.
the 6.5 inch MOAP 11 speaker drivers are simply stunning - top of the Markaudio range. I have them in Frugal Horn XL cabinets. I cannot wait until 5pm every day when i can start the music listening session. Never felt like that with any hi fi system in 40 years. Heavenly.
I’ve had the Sibelius for 2 years. My listening room is my living room, which is small to medium sized for a living room. I have never got close to 90dB without it being way too loud.
I have not experienced any distortion or muddying of the sound on metal or electronica at my realistic listening levels of way below 90dB.
Also these speakers come in at 87dB sensitivity, which is medium efficiency. When I drove them with the Pass Labs INT-25 power and grip was a bit lacking. But that all changed when I got the Pass Labs INT-60, and using balanced XLR. This reference amp drives the Sibelius magnificently. So amp matching is important, and yes these are boutique speakers which are not meant to rock out at volume levels which are in any event damaging to your ears.
And as Herb Reichert of Stereophile recently said:
“the purpose of home audio is not to create realism per se but to present recordings in a manner that allows users to access the main pleasures the music and recording have to offer in a format suitable for domestic consumption.”
The Sibelius are magic, with rich timbres and tonality. And are not bright speakers.
When I say here and in my written review that these are not the best for metal or rock, I am talking in comparison to other speakers. For example, the X2 does metal/rock much better than the Pearl but if one hasn't heard the X2 do metal them the Pearl sound with metal would be fine. They do ok with metal but that is not what they are made for. With Jazz/Classical/Vocals they best the X2 for all out realism. I also tested these with some pass gear as well though Harley is right, they sound best with Class A or good Class D. Remarkable speakers but they do have limitations vs some others due to the one small 4" driver. Those limitations are that they do get slightly muddy (compared to other speakers in the same price range) when turned up very loud with aggressive music. Even so they still sound great with metal and rock, but if that is ones main music choice there are better speakers for that. What I love about them is the way the treble does this 3D thing with some music. World class instrument separation and all with a glow that puts me in a great mood when listening. Always a smile! Enjoy!
Love the minimalist design. Zu Audio owner here. Appreciate the FRD ethos. Just the music piped through the speakers cables to the speakers and nothing else. Would love to try the Sibelius.
Man that’s the coolest audio room. Livin the dream
About 5 years ago I heard the Sibelius speakers at the Munich HiFi show plus I was able to hear everyone who attended the show comment on them. I drive them with Rogue audio tube amp and Geshelli DAC with Qobuz hi fi streaming. Unlike you I think the stands make a huge difference. As you say this all heart and the reason I listen to any music. I am not a casual listener I have to have the room darkened and my eyes closed.
I have a pair for a couple of years. Agree on almost everything you said. Re the base and spikes, you can put the spikes onto furniture discs and then it is easier to move the speakers on the stands. I can attest to wide genre range. From baroque chamber pieces where I can hear the room (I had thought that was audiophile nonsense until I heard it) to post-punk, neo-folk, various -wave (dark, cold, witch, new), electronica, even indie and punk (GBH, Rites of Spring). Wider than speaker soundstage, depth, detail, musicality, disappearing speakers, it is all there. I tried adding a sub (REL T9), but no matter the placement, it destroyed the cohesiveness of the sound from the Sibelius. I drive them with a PassLabs XA25 and a PrimaLuna EVO300 pre. Works great in my 18 x 18' room (diagonal set-up), can play them till it hurts my ears without the sound getting distorted, usually though at 65-70 dB. Best $4K I spent in audio. And Harley is absolutely top in customer service and communication.
I have had a pair for about a year - purchased them for the reasons listed here and they deliver in every way - atmospheric and detail and 3D and very natural - excellent with High Fidelity Cables
Did you upgrade from them?
100%. I can’t stop listening. Like none other I have had here. I’m posting some clips on my instagram right now :)
I've heard these before, you've described them well. I was super impressed by them.
Accurate and informative review. Thank you. I love Markaudio drivers. The amazing Pearl Sibelius are sadly out of my price range BUT i do have the 6.5 inch, Markaudio MOAP 11 single drivers in a pair of Frugal XL Horn cabinets (self-build kit) and every positive comment made in this review i can say is also true about my speakers which are 100% keepers. Individual instruments and vocals have never sounded so real, coherent and detailed. Hope to listen to Sibelius speakers one fine day.
These reviews are coming thick and fast and i love it 💗
Amazing speakers I’d love a pair
Me too. I am listening now as I answer this comment. So addicting. I can’t afford them at this time but maybe one day. I’d love a set in cherry or dark walnut. Maybe even British racing green. They offer various colors and two driver colors, copper or silver.
I like the copper drivers there Mac audio drives specifically made for him , there brilliant drivers are they are
Many years ago I opted for single unit speakers. My Lowthers are now 50 years old althoughI have had new drivers in that time, the cabinets still same. If I had to change them for any other make it would be the Sibelius
Enjoyed the review very much. I have been using a pair of Sibelius CG speakers for over 2 years powered by CAT tube pre and power amps. They are truly magical. FYI if you were to use the stand with Stack Audio's Auva 100 isolators it will improve the sound quite a bit.
Pearl are doing their own UK made SE triode amp. Sounded great together. I heard them playing Bob Marley and they were fine with this type of music. According to their web site there are currently supply issues with the amp.
I am dying to hear these speakers! I have a pair of Mark Audio Pluvia 7HDs that I built some Pensil style enclosures for, and while the cabinet design differs a bit, it’s nearly identical in size and layout. I am blown away by the way these things sound! I know Harley worked with Mark on some custom spec drive cones for his Sibelius and I really hope I get the chance to give them a listen at some point. Thanks for another great review!
Nice review! Thanks for sharing.
I ran across a used pair of Acoustic Technologies Classic speakers (transmission line, 3” full range driver). At first I was skeptical that such a small driver could produce a satisfying sound stage, but after listening to them I blown away!
Another very thoughtful review from you, thanks. I've been intrigued as well about these speakers. Everyone agrees they have a beautiful sound. Yet there always seems to be a yeah but aspect mentioned about them. In your case rock music & the stands. Like most, I have a wide range of musical taste that the speakers need to accommodate.
th-cam.com/video/yMU0Nazt--Q/w-d-xo.htmlsi=WuZdoCyJ3g04mJdK - Here is al ink to Harleys video that goes into the story of the Sibelius speakers. Enjoy!
I know it was a while ago but how would you compare it to the Dynaudio Heritage Specials?
Great review! I think these speakers are amazing. I would like so much to get the opportunity to listen to them. The fact that there is no crossover is great. There is no delay and phase rotation in the signal. I am wondering if the transmission line is supposed to be implemented in the wood cabinet is adding some phase rotation to the low frequencies. Regards
What you describe is similar to what people say about ZU Audio DWX speakers.
This is a very interesting diy high end project. Free plans and free Chassis. 👍🇩🇪
Thanks for review
Very nice review, did you hear the Sibelius with the Daniel Hertz Maria 350 and how do you compare the Sibelius to the Amber from DH?
Thanks for the review.
@@frankkahlweiss9696 I am also interested in how these compare
i really love these speakers I hope they were a little bit cheaper... here in europe they are over 6k including shipping and taxes.
Build them yourself! Just go full on DIY, buddy. It's not that hard.
@@chrisvand2678 Got plans?
interesting speaker , have to hear it , thanks
Thank you!
Wondering how does it compare with Fleetwood deville?
Talking of a driver handling a wide range of frequencies, the small 75mm 3 inch titanium driver in my Fyne Audio Vintage 12s handle 750 Hertz to 26 Khz.
Mark audio is great
So are lot of other full range speakers...
Two way etc...cant ever give this realistic sound
Which part of the hearth, please?
Thanks for the review. Any thoughts on how these might pair withthe Enleum Amp 23R or has it been too long since you had the amp in house?
I wonder if they do justice to the solo piano in classical music. I usually find small driver lacks in feel, if not accuracy.
yes - worth a listen if you can find a pair - might not seem important but even the detail and sound of the pedal being pressed is present and hyper real
Listen to Nils Frahm - Chant
Not sure about piano, but certainly harpsichord. Also viola d'amore, which I know well as I play it myself. Scarily accurate and life like.
I wonder that too...A 4" driver simply does not have the surface area of a 4ft x3ft Piano soundboard..Same reason no loudspeaker can recreate the 100ft x100ft point source of a symphony orchestra..The physics is not there.. (They don't build a 100ft full range speaker lol)
How much?
How do they sound with the Willsenton R300? You do still have that amp, right?
Do they come with spikes (or spike threads)? I would rather have them as you show them, without the stands.
come w spikes
I changed out spikes for Isoacoustic and both excellent but of course different
Nice review. How do you compare these to OGY.
Gr8t review.honest and realistic.cheers. your right humans enjoy music . music.audiop
Every speaker has pros and cons..I wonder does this speaker have the speed/immediacy and transparency of an electrostatic ( eg Martin Logan ) bearing in mind that design has its caveats too.
Man im envy of your beautiful room 👌
The Ubiquitous Mr. (Harley) Lovegrove
Yes, these cannot handle busy music or high amplitude. Because of IMD (Doppler effect)
One of my few desert 🌵 island 🏝️ loudspeakers and it’d be nice to have a review of Translator from 3squareaudio 🇬🇧
I would imagine they would struggle with seperation of lower mids/low frequency and dynamics
Some imagine the earth is flat😂🎉
EBM tracks separate very well in the percussion/drum machine area. No complaints. I would think the limiting factor is rather the amp for dynamics, not the speaker. I use a PassLabs XA25 on my Sibelius.
Unique is not modifiable. (Great review as usual.)
These should never be “modified” as they are just right as is.
Price point to all products. I do not take advise from TH-cam reviewers. Anything in the Audio chain MUST be reviewed by one's own ears.
Indeed!
Unique is one of a kind. Something its either unique or it's not. Nothing can be more/most, less/least unique.
Anything can be modified. Just be careful.
@@tarquineous Modified here is a grammatical term. It does not refer to modifying equipment.
Even a bookshelf 2 way 500 dollars 2way wins hands down except a flute guitar voice trio.Hype for hipsters and flatearthers.
...until you here that guitar, flute, voice trio on them.
Haha.Tbey are terrific.
I suspect that these speakers are limited to a certain type of music ie acoustic instruments (?)
All said, I recently demo'd ATC 50ASL ACTIVE speakers with their built-in Class AB tri-amp and was blown away! They were paired with an incredible preamplifier by Angela-Gilbert Yeung-s C312 and the synergy was outstanding. I'm now hooked on active speakers.
I have an eversolo dmpa6 feeding an atc scm20asl pro. All atcs need a sub otherwise i am a happy camper.
So no SET???
A SET amp is not needed with these. Even the company says class A or class D will sound best and they are right. Same with the OGY and BOB. The AGD duets, honestly, have a very similar vibe to the best SET amps I’ve heard. They, for me, best any amps I’ve ever heard in 36 years. That goes for tubes, class A monos, SET amps, etc. I’m sure these can sound wonderful with a nice set amp but they are not designed for those 3-4 watts amps.
How do they sound playing Return to Forever …”Theme to the Mothership”? Sorry to get so specific 😂. It was a great studio performance but so so mix… I just loved that particular band at the time.
all this is old news 25 years ago Caine and Caine was making speakers just like this
With the same type of solid oak? With the exact same drivers?
actually much nicer ... look them up
wait till hear maop x 5 better than alpair ( sebelius)😊
the 6.5 inch MOAP 11 speaker drivers are simply stunning - top of the Markaudio range. I have them in Frugal Horn XL cabinets. I cannot wait until 5pm every day when i can start the music listening session. Never felt like that with any hi fi system in 40 years. Heavenly.
I'm using Jordan Eikona driver. I have directly compared them to the Alpair and the Jordans were in a different league, much better all round.
@@peterseaman9542und das für bescheidenes Geld. 335€/ Paar. 👍👍🇩🇪
''....very unique...'' I don't think so.
Quite right! Something is unique or it isn't. " Very unique" and "more unique"
show an ignorance of or lack of concern for English grammar.
@@tomgillett4791 Indeed.