Alta Audio Alyssa
Stereophile|December 2020
At first look, our November 2020 review of the standmount loudspeaker ($5000/pair) from Alta Audio1 appeared to be a thorough vindication of the Stereophile method of reviewing, combining measurements with a subjective listening journal. John Atkinson’s measurements were generally fine, but he uncovered “strong discontinuities in the impedance traces at 174Hz and 291Hz [that] imply the presence of resonances.” They could only be internal airspace resonances, since he found the Alyssa’s cabinet to be admirably inert.
By Jim Austin
Alta Audio Alyssa

Nearfield measurements of the port and woofer showed response peaks close to those same frequencies. The sonic and musical effects of such resonances would at worst be modest, but they could be audible; in fact, John predicted that they would be. “I would expect this behavior to color the sound of male vocals,” John concluded.

Independently—Stereophile reviewers don’t see measurements until after their review is submitted—Herb Reichert reported “a vexing lack of focus in the lower midrange and upper bass.” It was especially noticeable in male vocals, including two tracks he auditioned from Ry Cooder’s album Jazz.

Herb wondered, “Was it the speakers I was hearing or their interactions with the room and my amplifiers?” Because of his room’s modest dimensions, Herb avoids speakers he thinks might overload it. He reviews almost exclusively standmounts, smaller floorstanders, plus the odd smaller Magnepan. The Alyssas are standmounts, but they go deeper than is usual for standmounts of their size and weight. “In a larger space, with lower levels of reflected bass energies, the Alyssas would, perhaps, present themselves with a more balanced tone and sharper lower-midrange focus. Perhaps another Stereophile reviewer can audition these speakers in a larger room.” I decided to try to answer Herb’s conjecture.

My room isn’t perfect,2 but it’s big, and I’ve rarely had any serious problems with room interactions—just the usual bass modes, and here they’re reasonably tame and well-spaced.

Denne historien er fra December 2020-utgaven av Stereophile.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra December 2020-utgaven av Stereophile.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA STEREOPHILESe alt
My last Far East trip
Stereophile

My last Far East trip

First comes the anticipation, that initial jet of warm water, that miraculous searching, finding the sweet spot, then heaven on earth as it cleans and caresses.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
Riding the Common Wave
Stereophile

Riding the Common Wave

In the e-commerce era, brick-and-mortar dealerships must give customers compelling reasons to stop by. Los Angeles hi-fi dealership Common Wave's owner Wesley Katzir keeps customers coming through the door with a simple idea: that music matters in our everyday lives and that what he enjoys, other people will enjoy, too.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
Mind Games to the bottom of the rabbit hole
Stereophile

Mind Games to the bottom of the rabbit hole

After a wild decade in the biggest pop music group ever, John Lennon's post-Beatles years were spent in protest, in various kinds of therapy, in immigration court, and in search of a new musical identity.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
Trane meets the Motor City
Stereophile

Trane meets the Motor City

Detroit became a destination for migrating African Americans early, starting with the Underground Railroad; the city's proximity to Canada was convenient for those seeking to escape Southern slavery.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
Vital art never rests
Stereophile

Vital art never rests

At this late date, it seems impossible that there could still be \"lost\" albums lingering in the vaults by musicians as important and successful as Johnny Cash and Paul McCartney.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
DUKE IN 10
Stereophile

DUKE IN 10

TO COMMEMORATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF DUKE'S DEATH, ROBERT BAIRD SELECTS A DOUBLE HANDFUL OF EXEMPLARY TRACKS FROM PERHAPS AMERICA'S GREATEST MUSICAL GENIUS.

time-read
10 mins  |
September 2024
Piega Coax Gen2 811
Stereophile

Piega Coax Gen2 811

It's funny how we discover some music in unexpected, twisting ways.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 2024
Pass Laboratories XP-27
Stereophile

Pass Laboratories XP-27

One of the pleasures of reviewing-and also using-products from Pass Laboratories is an encounter with Nelson Pass's writing, which can usually be found in the owner's manual and is always competent, insightful, and sometimes funny.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 2024
EMT 928 II
Stereophile

EMT 928 II

Modern turntables are a paradox.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 2024
Dynaudio Contour 30i
Stereophile

Dynaudio Contour 30i

Ah, Denmark. Land of the Vikings and blue-eyed, blond-haired folk with faces sculpted just so.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 2024