Digital Trends

Strata Mini Loudspeaker

March 24th, 2008 | by Ben Fowler

Subwoofer Testing

A true test for a powered sub is acoustic bass, especially of the jazzy sort. As the bass “walks” (basically plays one note per beat in a scale-like fashion), the notes bridge the point at which the subwoofer and midrange driver meet. This is a great test because it really shows how well the bass and midrange are integrated. Hopefully, if all goes well, there’s balance, or put into measurable terms, equal volume, between the low, mid-low, and mid notes. Kenny Garrett’s Black Hope is a great album, and the tune Jackie and Bean Stock is a real burner. The acoustic bass is all over the place on this recording so we knew it would be a great test of the sub. When we played the track, we were amazed at how the bass sounded real, true, articulate AND musical. This subwoofer was performing a little bit of magic. It had plenty of depth and command, but remained elegant, almost polite. Most importantly, it was enjoyable to listen to.

Conclusion 

The Strata Mini’s are an incredible value for the price. We felt that at just under two grand, they were practically a steal. But they’re not for everyone. You certainly want to be aware of the elaborate setup process with the integrated sub. And the speakers make quite a visual statement, both in terms of the size and the fit/finish, so make sure your partner approves before having them delivered. The sound of the Strata-Mini’s was near-perfect. The planar magnetic array provided a beautiful, richly detailed character with a hint of warmth in the low-mids. The integrated sub blended perfectly and never got in the way. Overall, the Strata mini is a great speaker and highly recommended.

Pros:

• Sweet highs
• Tight bass
• Overall beautiful sound
• Premium wood finish


Cons: 

• Big - won't fit in many rooms
• Hard to understand owner's manual
• Complicated setup