Alta Audio Celesta FRM-2M Loudspeaker

This is the first update since its debut in 2013 to what I consider Michael Levy’s finest loudspeaker design. Others would disagree as to his finest—the Hestia Titanium ($32,000/pair) or the Alec ($10,000/pair) as examples—but the Celesta FRM-2 is certainly my favourite. For almost 8 years, it has led the pack in its $15,000/pair price range. In my experience, to match or better the musical and aural experience from the Celesta stand mount (one could hardly call the FRM-2 a monitor-style or bookshelf speaker with its heft and girth), you would have to purchase speakers such as the Raidho D1 at $28,000/pair or the Magico Q1 at $26,500/pair. To be sure, both speakers are exceptional and do things that are very special, but so does the Celesta—for far fewer dollars.

In business since 2011, Alta Audio is based on Long Island and has a plant in Connecticut. They manufacture a discerning line of loudspeakers to fit a variety of room sizes and budgets. Audiophilia has reviewed most of them. Like the very best loudspeaker companies, Alta Audio has a ‘house sound’.

Levy tunes his speakers for the benefit of those audiophiles and music lovers who prefer natural sounding, live events. ‘Live’, ‘natural’ are such old marketing chestnuts, but attributed to Alta, accurate. Rarely do I hear speakers that sound like the designer has voiced for an expensive stalls seat, using drivers that sing in flawless harmony together. Far too many boost mid bass or voice the crossover for what I call ‘ziss, boom, bah’. All octaves in full forward technicolour for maximum ‘effect’. Natural musicality, be damned.

The ‘M’ update

To appreciate this follow up, be sure to read my review of the original FRM-2s. The new ‘Ms’ up the game in most areas, but the inspiring core musical values of the speaker remain. With the changes Levy made, he was hoping for a 5% improvement, if one can quantify subjectivity? A 5% improvement for the same 2013 price? The M’s MSRP is the same as the originals, $15,000/pair. Yet, a few things surprised Levy. So much so, he took the prototypes to both NYC Audiophilia writers and other colleagues in the reviewing business—they either own or have extensive experience with the original FRMs. Everyone spoke highly of the improvements. And all experienced more than a cursory 5%.

After the stamp of approval, Levy moved to full production. Celesta owners are very loyal and are truly excited about the changes. Happily, I was first in line. So few of the originals are found on the used market, I was able to sell my pair (2014 build) in one day to a local buyer for my full asking price. His excited texts with musical highlights of the day following the sale were a pleasure to read.

The two large boxes were delivered unharmed—the speakers each tucked up nicely in a double box with laser cut, dense foam for safety. As such, the exemplary finish was pristine.

Like my previous pair of Celestas, I placed the Ms on stands, toed in 10 degrees. The Celestas like a toe in. I love the look firing straight out into a room, but they lose coherence that way. The speakers are supplied with spikes but not stands. Celestas are 8 feet apart, 2 feet from side and back walls. I use cheap & cheerful Amazon stands with some BluTac. You may want to opt for the dedicated FRM stands. They have a large top plate to accommodate the base of the speaker. Check with the manufacturer for availability and price. There is no factory upgrade for the originals to M standard.

Visually, the upgraded speakers are identical to the original save for the use of magnetic grills. Grills were not used.

Features

Levy has upgraded his design in several ways. He says:

At Alta Audio, the combination of advanced technical design and evolution of manufacturing efficiencies allowed us to develop an updated version of our reference model Celeste FRM-2.

We named the new version FRM-2M. The M is for magic; it’s as if the listener is seated 5th row center at a world class concert hall, or in a night club 10’ from the stage.

The new Celesta FRM-2M features several notable upgrades. First, we upgraded our acclaimed DampHard multi-layered, multi-density cabinet material, improving both density and damping that renders it dead to vibration. Then we turned our attention to improvements in select capacitor/resistor packs, and the fine tuning of the filters further enhanced the effect. Rounding out the upgrades was the specification of pure copper 10-gauge deoxygenated cabling and an advanced insulator.

To achieve sonically silkier highs, we employed an upgrade in the Amorphous cores in the tweeter transformer. The Litz 12-gauge air core inductors were updated along with the capacitors.

We improved our proprietary XTL (Extended Transmission Line) tuning, making transients faster and increasing power handling while maintaining the standard-setting infrasonic output of the original.

The woofer features proprietary cone material and resonance damping on the frame. The 3”titanium former neodymium hybrid magnet motor assembly is now unparalleled in linearity and detail.

Celesta FRM-2M benefits from further improvements in cabinet construction for greater rigidity and grounding of deep bass output. Cosmetically, highly radiused edges, a rounded top, and mirror-smooth Acrylic Onyx finish round out the package.

The piano black, polyester finish is still spectacularly good. I’ve not seen better. Fit & finish, much like the original, is flawless. Specifications are similar to the original FRM-2.

Specifications

Height: 16.5 inches

Width: 10.75 inches (widest point)

Depth: 15.5 inches (widest point)

Weight: 55lbs

Impedance: 4 ohms

Rated power: 50-200 Watts

Sensitivity: 87.5db / 2.83 Volts @ 1 Metre

Frequency Response: 29Hz to 47kHz

Sound

Yes, that low frequency response figure in the Specs is correct. And spot on. The FRMs still plumb the depths like few stand mounts. They shock guests just how low they go with complete authority. Although mine is a small listening room, it is fully pressurized by Levy’s XTL technology. I’ve heard the same effect wow listeners in two NYC listening rooms larger than mine. And, the bass is timbrally accurate—no cheap thrills or mid bass bumps like many bookshelf loudspeakers. As such, you’ll hear the Kingsway rumble from the Picadilly Line tube on the Martinon/LSO/Shaded Dog/Shostakovich 1st Symphony clearly and the wiry sound of Ray Brown’s string bass when bowed on We Get Requests.

So, to my ears, and with my obvious admiration for the original, how do they differ? If you are looking for a new speaker of this style and quality around 15K, an audition or enquiry is a no brainer. If your budget is between 8K and 10K, then a search for the original FRMs, if they can be found and purchased for a fair price, would be a big win in your upgrade path. However, if 15K is within your reach, then the FRM-2M should be a must listen for the following reasons.

Because of the exceptional clarity and bass response, the Ms feel even more dynamic. The Celestas always had power reserves in spades—the same here—but it’s the micro dynamics that really caught my attention.

The timbral quality remains—lifelike images in real spaces. But little musical figures are heard even more clearly—the subtle espressivo of a solo violist, the richer sound of a cello, and the diaphragm breath attacks of woodwinds—ultra low detail, usually the domain of the Magico and Raidho speakers mentioned. I mention Magico and Raidho specifically because they aim for the same musicality as Alta Audio. In fact, Raidho is about the only other company that has successfully married a ribbon tweeter with a dynamic woofer. My God, the failures in that design topology are legion. Levy has cracked it.

Along with the extra layer of DampHard (proprietary to Alta), which makes the cabinet even more inert than the rock solid FRM, the biggest improvements must lay at the feet of the driver upgrades (see Features). They clear up complex soundstages and thorny orchestration even better than the original drivers. Layering becomes more sophisticated. So, exceptional string choirs like the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields or the Berliner Philharmoniker continually create magical musical moments.

For micro dynamics, we use The Reiner Sound as an example (Classic Records RCA Shaded Dog vinyl reissue). Audiophiles and musicians go straight to ‘Rhapsodie Espagnole’, a vividly dynamic and beautiful piece by Ravel. Reiner is sexy in this. Yes, the never ending scowl of a conductor can turn on the musical sex appeal. Audiophiles (and musicians) lap it up for good reason. But, it’s the B side that represents Reiner at his best. Conducting ‘Isle of the Dead’, a tone poem by another scowling musician, Rachmaninov (Stravinsky said ‘He was a six and a half foot scowl.’). A brilliant, brooding piece that tests an orchestra’s mettle.

In the slow 5/8 opening, there’s a tricky little ensemble passage where the 1st violins play a rising line of 32nd notes grouped in 5, muted and crescendo with an upbow ending with a sf (6 bars before 4, if you’re playing along at home). The same pattern is repeated two bars later, an octave down with a downbow. The sound differences between these almost identical phrases are legion. The first phrase never ceases to amaze me—the very real tonal quality of the muted Chicago violins represented in a superb recording, with the timbre and dynamics portrayed with uncanny realism by the Altas.

So, out of the musical weeds and into the sound differences. The new M captures more of what the great Reiner was asking for and what Rachmaninov intended. This happens everywhere, vinyl, digital and in any repertoire or genre. Listening to the M compared to the originals is like getting a second helping of grandma’s Thanksgiving turkey dinner. The first plate is heaven. The second, if you don’t take too much, is even better.

Summary

Alta Audio has the prospective loudspeaker purchaser covered. A speaker for most budgets. Built to high spec and with a glorious house sound. I’ve loved the Celesta since I first heard it in Audiophilia colleague Marty Appel’s NYC apartment after a particularly wonderful Audiophilia dinner. I was blown away by the musicality. My passion for them has never wavered. Three years ago, I received a pair. They were amazing and gave me unalloyed pleasure.

The M continues the tradition and betters it. A number greater than 5%? That would be crass. But for the same price, a purchaser is getting what I believe is Levy’s crowning achievement, freshened up for the new decade. Very highly recommended.

Further information: Alta Audio