The Audiovector Trapeze Reimagined loudspeaker is a significant new arrival in the world of high end audio. No cookie-cutter enclosure, this loudspeaker is a tribute to the Danish brand's 45-year legacy, combining classic design elements with contemporary audio tech to deliver a superior listening experience.
Intrigued, I travelled to Audiovector HQ in Copenhagen to learn more, and exclusively listen…
Audiovector Trapeze Reimagined design and features: Innovative acoustic performance
If you're looking for a premium loudspeaker, but are bored by traditional designs, you've come to the right place. The Trapeze Reimagined certainly stands out from the crowd.
Its unusual trapezoid design pays homage to Audiovector's first commercial speaker, the Trapez, conceived and introduced in 1979 by the company's founder, Ole Klifoth, now given new life by his son and successor, Mads.
The Trapeze Reimagined retains much of the original's distinctive cabinet structure but introduces modern elements that enhance both its visual appeal, and acoustic performance.
Crafted from high-density fibreboard, the cabinet is hand-veneered in one of four standard finishes: Black Ash, Nordic Oak, Italian Walnut, or White Silk. For those seeking a more personalised touch, Audiovector offers custom finishes, hand-painted in Denmark.
This novel design is both functional and elegant. The front of the speaker is slightly angle toward the listener, while the rear remains parallel to the wall. Its trapezoid shape not only adds a unique visual flair but also helps minimise distortion and colouration, ensuring the sound is as pure as possible. It also makes it very easy to accommodate in your listening room of choice.
A three-way design, the speaker offers a 5-inch midrange driver, a 12-inch bass driver, and an Air Motion Transformer (AMT) high-frequency tweeter. The latter, known for its wide dispersion, is complemented by a proprietary linear phase crossover, ensuring that all frequencies are perfectly aligned for seamless listening.
The bass driver works in conjunction with an 8-inch isobaric driver, ported to the rear, creating a low frequency response that's both powerful and tightly controlled.
One notable feature of the Trapeze Ri, as it's also called, is its flexible damping system. Located at the rear of the speaker, a three-position dial allows you to optimise the speaker's performance based on the type of amplifier being used.
Such customisation makes this new Trapeze incredibly versatile, allowing it to pair well with a wide range of amplification, from transistor amps with medium damping factors to high-power amplifiers, and even tube amps, with low damping factors.
Customisation makes the Trapeze Ri incredibly versatile, allowing it to pair well with a wide range of amplification...
This control is well worth experimenting with, as it makes a subtle difference to performance, based on whatever electronics you've chosen to partner the speakers with.
Inside the cabinet, Audiovector has incorporated Diffraction Absorption Control, essentially a thick layer of natural felt around the midrange and treble drivers. This absorbs reflected energy, and combats standing waves. The result is a sound that is free from the unwanted resonances that can plague lesser cabinet designs. Translated, that means clean, pure audio reflective of the source.
Audiovector Trapeze Reimagined performance: Immersive Hi-Fi experience
Unboxed and off the leash, the Trapeze Reimagined do not disappoint. From the moment they're powered up, these compact floorstanders impress with a sound that's forceful and remarkably detailed.
The AMT tweeter's wide dispersion characteristic is immediately apparent, offering a crisp, revealing treble that brought out the finest details in my playlist. The midrange is smooth and musical, making vocals sound natural and lifelike.
During my listening sessions, the Trapeze Reimagined was paired with a Gryphon Diablo 333 integrated amplifier and later with a MOON North series 791/761 streaming pre and power stack.
In both setups, the speakers showcased their ability to deliver an astounding sense of space and dimensionality. The soundstage is expansive, with each instrument and vocal placed precisely within it.
One of the most impressive aspects of this Audiovector loudspeaker is its ability to handle a wide variety of musical genres. Whether it was the classic prog of Focus' 'Hocus Pocus,' with its infectious guitar and flute riffs, or the alt-rock energy of Big Audio Dynamite's 'Medicine Show,' the Trapeze Reimagined delivered a performance that was both engaging and true to the source material.
Groundation's''s 'Upon the Bridge' features a deep, groovy reggae beat, and infectious horn section, confirm the speakers can drop deep when required.
The combination of the 12-inch bass cone and the 8-inch isobaric driver are a punchy tightly controlled combo, with no hint of boom or overhang; bass is fast, potent, and perfectly integrated with the midrange and treble.
The gnarly guitar of Stone Temple Pilots 'Interstate Love Song' is appropriately rough and ready, these speakers don't dull their attack, while the blues of John Lee Hooker, confirm the glassy transparency of that AMT tweeter.
A final blast of AC/DC elicited a broad grin of satisfaction. These speakers manage to breathe new life into classic tracks, making them sound as if they were freshly recorded rather than decades old.
Audiovector Trapeze Reimagined verdict: Heritage and Hi-Fi superiority
The Audiovector Trapeze Reimagined are a joyous marriage of stylish design and outstanding musicality. While the price tag of £15,500 a pair may sound toppy, they offer a level of performance that justifies the investment.
Of course, at the more rarefied end of the audio market you could easily pay a lot more for less, ergo some might even conclude these Danish loudspeakers are a bargain.
Trapeze Reimagined are not just about looks or luxury; they reflect the passion for music reproduction that Audiovector has cultivated over 45 years.
For those serious about their music, an in-person audition of the Audiovector Trapeze Reimagined is highly recommended.
Audiovector Trapeze Reimagined retail from £15,500 a pair. To buy, or book your own listening experience, contact Renaissance Audio.
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