Potato score: 91.55

92%

Krix ESOTERIX ALTUM #1
Krix ESOTERIX ALTUM variant 1
Krix ESOTERIX ALTUM variant 2

Krix ESOTERIX ALTUM

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Bi-Wire Capable

This revolutionary new bookshelf speaker presents a delightfully detailed, open soundstage with a tight and punchy bottom end. Designed for two channel stereo listening, this speaker will surprise and excite those looking for the next wave in high fidelity audio performance.


The ultimate bookshelf speaker for esoteric audiophiles. The Esoterix Altum is a refined speaker, designed to truly enhance the full two channel listening experience, whether playing old favourites on vinyl, or enjoying the definition and detail of the latest high resolution digital tracks.


In developing this revolutionary speaker, the Krix engineering team paid particular attention to imaging – the meticulously engineered waveguide controls the directivity to present a soundstage much larger than expected. Paired with the renowned Scanspeak Revelator tweeter, the result is an accurate and detailed stereo image, delivering extreme definition with a very smooth response.


The bass and midrange are superbly handled by a 165mm driver incorporating leading edge transducer technology, highlighted by an innovative cast aluminium basket and a large neodymium-iron-boron magnet for increased power handling. Perfectly tuned with the cabinet and sizable double-flared vent, the Esoterix Altum is able to produce bass much larger than its size would suggest.


Detail isn’t only in the sound. The distinctive fully-mitred cabinets provide a seamless look with no visible joins, while the striking prismatic geometry and optional matching stands ensure these bookshelf speakers will look stunning in any environment.


For the ultimate sound experience at home, play it through Krix.


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Overall Score 92/100

Rating for [object Object]

Deliciously Crispy

A holographic, room-filling soundstage is the Altum's standout — imaging so wide, high and deep it feels like performers sit in the room. Its neutral midrange and surprisingly deep, controlled bass marry with extended, airy highs from the Revelator tweeter, a combination praised by What Hi‑Fi? and Peter Familari. Luxurious build and impressive dynamics give compact speakers tower-like presence.

What Hi-Fi

"As we have come to expect from Krix, the Esoterix Altum is an outstandingly well-designed loudspeaker, with a very flat and extended frequency response and above-average efficiency for its size"

Pros

  • Exceptionally wide, high and deep soundstage with pinpoint imaging for a compact two-way
  • Neutral, transparent midrange that presents vocals and acoustic instruments naturally
  • Surprisingly deep, controlled low end for a bookshelf speaker — real depth and punch
  • Revelator ring-radiator tweeter delivers extended, airy highs and fine high-frequency detail

&

Cons

  • Treble can expose poor recordings and occasionally sound truncated or brash on weaker masters
  • Waveguide/horn aesthetic and concept may not suit all listeners — some find it divisive

Sound Quality

92/100

Bass

91/100

For a medium 165mm (6.5") bass-mid driver in a bottom-ported reflex cabinet, reviewers repeatedly note unusually deep, controlled low end 'down to ~38–40Hz in-room' and describe 'real depth' and 'like a small tower' performance. Newport/What Hi‑Fi measurements corroborate extension to the high 30s Hz and a well-behaved port, supporting an excellent-for-size bass performance.

Mid

93/100

Multiple reviews praise the midrange as natural, transparent and very well resolved: vocals 'hang in the air', instruments sound 'like the natural, unamplified instruments', and the crossover is described as 'audibly seamless' using audiophile-grade parts.

Treble

90/100

The Revelator ring-radiator tweeter is lauded as 'revelatory' with excellent extension and air above 20kHz; some reviewers note treble can expose poor recordings (occasionally described as 'truncated' or brash on bad masters) but overall it is detailed, refined and non‑shrill.

Soundstage Imaging

96/100

Unanimous praise for unusually large, holographic staging for a compact two‑way: reviewers describe a soundstage 'wider, higher and deeper than expected', 'no left or right', and imaging so precise you might think you're listening to floorstanders.

Dynamics

92/100

Reviewers highlight strong micro- and macro-dynamics and surprising headroom for the form factor — 'you can play them really, really loud' and they 'grip AC/DC tightly' without obvious compression.

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Build Quality

92/100

High-quality construction: fully-mitred, heavily braced cabinets, cast-aluminium driver baskets, wood-fibre cones and an audiophile-grade crossover are repeatedly mentioned; finish options and solid fittings support a premium build impression.

Features Connectivity

82/100

Passive bookshelf baseline applied (80). Reviews note high-quality gold-plated dual binding posts and supplied gold buss-bars enabling bi-wire/bi-amp connections (+2). Bottom-mounted port and robust terminal plate documented.

Value for Money

87/100

Reviewers call the Altum an 'elite' compact with 'big sound without a big footprint' and highlight build and performance versus peers; price in the metadata is broad/unspecified, so score reflects strong performance-perception though without a single clear street price or explicit 'best at the price' superlative.

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