{"id":39171,"date":"2024-11-26T21:22:46","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T19:22:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/?p=39171"},"modified":"2025-05-28T14:07:30","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T12:07:30","slug":"driade-premium-model-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/loudspeaker-reviews\/loudspeakers-passive-reviews\/driade-premium-model-9\/","title":{"rendered":"Driade Premium Model 9"},"content":{"rendered":"

Review sample supplied by Driade<\/a>
\nBenelux retail prices per pair, including VAT:
\nPremium Model 9 in Oak – 4.000 euro
\nSolidsteel Tripod Stands with custom Driade HDF top panel – 600 euro per pair
\nHDF Fronts with black fabric & Neodymium Magnet-coupling – 300 euro per pair
\nCopper spikes and copper protective floor discs are included<\/h4>\n

Hand-made in the Netherlands and Germany<\/h3>\n

Based in the Netherlands, Driade speaker enclosures and drivers are exclusively manufactured in the Netherlands and Germany. The drivers used are designed by Arnold Heres in cooperation with Philipp Vavron, and the crossover parts are custom-made in Denmark. The sleek triangular outlines hide a fanatical attention to detail with a carefully selected mix of massive natural wood and double-sided, oak-veneered MDF and the use of premium parts throughout.<\/p>\n

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Premium Model 2S<\/h3>\n

The previous Driade loudspeaker I reviewed was the Premium Model 2S<\/a>. These speakers surprised me with their confident, coherent, lively, and engagingly expressive performance. I was particularly impressed with their bass behavior, which, unusually for a bass-reflex design in my room, was tight, crisp, and expressive, even more so than my Magico S1 MkII, and extended more deeply.<\/p>\n

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Premium Model 9 – A brand-new Monitor Speaker<\/h3>\n

The main design aim for the Premium Model 9 has been to create an advanced yet natural-sounding monitor speaker with a linear reproduction for the entire frequency range. The famous Rogers LS3\/5A has inspired some of its qualities, such as its small size and realistic midrange. But for the most part, the Premium Model 9 has little in common with that classic speaker. The size of the Premium Model 9 is 37 x 20 x 23 cm (H x W x D).<\/p>\n

The design has been carefully balanced using a woofer with an ultra-low-mass cone to achieve tight, controlled, and powerful bass down to a respectable 42Hz at -3dB. The cabinet and port have been assembled precisely to retain composure even when playing very loudly.<\/p>\n

Further, the speakers have been designed to obtain cleanly detailed treble that extends to 20kHz and beyond, with a linear response up to 30 degrees off-axis. Special attention was paid to achieving vivid imaging combined with a soundstage that extends freely from the cabinets.<\/p>\n

Also ranking highly among the design goals was ideal phase behavior to obtain a perfect transition between woofer and tweeter. A pivotal part of this is the crossover design. Driade Systems design all their crossovers from scratch and build them using only the very best parts. The Premium Model 9 is no exception; rather, one might even say its crossover is unusually sophisticated<\/em> for a monitor loudspeaker in its price range.<\/p>\n

Another design goal was to obtain a friendly impedance without dips to make the speaker easy to drive, even with low-power tube amplifiers. It’s rare for any crossover to contain no dips, but with an impedance that does not dip below 6 Ohms and hovers around 10 Ohms for most of its range, the Premium Model 9 presents a textbook 8 Ohm load, and amplifiers should have a particularly easy time. Even low-power single-ended tube designs apply.<\/p>\n

Finally, the Premium Model 9 crossover is extra special because it was designed by Arnold’s long-trusted engineer, Maarten Tjallingii. Naturally, the speaker’s overall design aesthetic and cabinet construction are still very much Driade, all carefully honed by Arnold. The result is a sleek and elegant yet very high-performance monitor speaker that both Maarten and Arnold take great pride in.<\/p>\n

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Listening Part One – First Impressions<\/h3>\n

When I attended the premiere of the Premium Model 9 in the Driade room at the Dutch Audio Event in October this year, it was immediately clear there was something very special about the Premium Model 9s. Driven by the Soulnote A-2 integrated amplifier partnered with a relatively modest Weiss DAC 202 and using Driade Flow interlinks and speaker cables, my critical brain searched for flaws, only to find none. If that sounds like faint praise, I should add that I landed in the Driade room after hearing countless other systems ranging from serious to seriously expensive. Yet, none of the system\/room combinations heard so far had sounded so utterly well-balanced as this room. The monitors demonstrated qualities I am familiar with from the Model 2S, such as articulate and precise bass with an enthusiastic and expressive delivery. Still, there was something else, a hitherto unheard quality extending from the upper midrange into the treble that especially took me by surprise.<\/p>\n

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To explain this, I need to step back a few years to my review of the Premium Model 2S<\/a>. As enthusiastic as I was about many aspects of these speakers, their Achilles heel, I would say, was their treble performance.<\/p>\n

With a long history involving electrostats, magnetostats, and ribbon speakers, I have grown particularly demanding of treble performance. Of course, not all ribbons are created equal, and it is hard to achieve perfect integration with a hybrid ribbon-dynamic driver design. Nevertheless, I’ve come to expect a certain quality from the treble range. So far, Magico has been among a select range of speaker brands delivering the high-frequency performance I crave. I should note that the current Magico S- and M-series differ significantly from the initial Q-range, with equally high resolution but a more organic and much sweeter balance. In any case, based on my listening experience in the Driade room, the feeling arose that the Premium Model 9 could be added to that list.<\/p>\n

Uniquely for a “regular” textile dome tweeter, the high frequencies did not call attention to themselves in any way. The treble sounded characterless, in the best interpretation of the word. This is something I normally only hear with diamond, beryllium, or the best foil tweeters.<\/p>\n

To my astonishment, there was no edge, grain, or hardness. Neither was there any added warmth, imposed mildness, or any other aspect to stand out. Yet, the resolution was excellent. And to my delight, the treble does indeed extend linearly with no roll-of I can discern. Granted, at 53, my hearing is no longer as good as when I was 18, but I still frequently hear noticeably rolled-off designs, of which I am not a fan.<\/p>\n

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I listened to a wide range of tracks while changing seating positions, only to reinforce my initial impressions. The speakers sounded beautifully open, communicative, and utterly selfless. As expected, the listening position had a significant effect on how the bass interacted with the room resonances, just as it does in all other rooms. However, apart from bass behavior, the sound remained uniform regardless of the listening position.<\/p>\n

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With these positive first impressions, expectations were shaping up nicely for the home audition and a successive review already planned for after the show.<\/p>\n

Next: review Context and Listening Part Two<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Review Context<\/h3>\n

For the second part of this review, the Premium Model 9’s will be listened to in the main system<\/a> in combination with the Aqua LinQ<\/a> Network Interface and Precision C1.2<\/a> DAC. The rest of the system comprises the CH Precision L1<\/a> preamplifier, CH Precision A1.5<\/a> power amp, and, for comparison, Xavian Perla Esclusiva and Magico S1 MkII speakers.<\/p>\n

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Listening Part Two<\/h3>\n

After Maarten and Arnold delivered the speakers for review, Maarten was interested in hearing how they performed in the context of my system, so we quickly positioned them between the Magicos, and I connected them using Driade Flow Reference 808 speaker cables. Mere moments after starting the first track (Desert Sun by Bliss), we looked at each other in amazement. Were we truly listening to those small monitors? Judging from the bass precision and -depth, resolution, and soundstage, it sure did not seem like it. Even with guesstimated positioning and toe-in, they sounded well-balanced, coherent, engaging, and realistic, and just as they illustrated at the audio show, they simply got out of the way and let the music do the talking.<\/p>\n

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The speakers sit on a custom platform secured to the stand via a central rod and to the speakers using 3 bolts.<\/em><\/p>\n

After a bit of experimenting with toe-in and lateral position, we soon found a good initial position, whereby the focus was beautifully precise, and the sound stage extended not just beyond the speaker enclosures but beyond my sidewalls and way into the depth plane. The treble was extended, revealing, and precise without being aggressive. Further, the resolution was really good, along with excellent focus. While my brain knew the sound was not coming from the Magicos, I still had trouble wrapping my head around that. It just did not sound like the sound was coming from the monitors.<\/p>\n

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The speakers are fitted with banana connectors selected for their ultra-low resistance. If desired, the speakers<\/em> can also be custom-ordered with other connectors at additional cost.<\/em><\/p>\n

The surprises kept coming as I played other tracks. Some more Bliss stuff, Patrick O’Hearn, Coen Bais, and Michel Godard. Oh, boy, it all sounded very good. The bass, too, was unreasonably great, especially given the tiny driver and small enclosure. Fast, agile, tight, articulate, and hugely propulsive, with the right weight to lend body where needed without adding thickness. There was just no audible port chuffing, ever, and nothing we played phased the speakers, and even when I proceeded to more demanding bass-heavy R&B tracks such as the D Word by Toni Braxton and Babyface, and even more fun, Trentemoller’s Evil Dub. Oh yes, you bet we were having fun!<\/p>\n

It was getting late, and Maarten and Arnold had to go. Before they took off, I quickly swapped back to the Magico S1 MkIIs. Often, when reviewing loudspeakers, I am happy, and sometimes even relieved, to hear my own trusted sound again. But this time, I wasn’t so sure. As one might expect of a diamond-coated beryllium tweeter, the S1’s treble was airier and more refined. Although the Driades never seem to lack detail, the S1s were more highly resolving, just as they should, given the massive price difference. However, the S1’s midrange was comparatively recessed, smoothened, and friendly, and not as direct, pure, and expressive as the Premium Model 9’s. Holy guacamole. I did not see that coming.<\/p>\n

The next day, I resumed the listening session as soon as I was well awake and caffeinated, by finding the ideal positions. Surprisingly, they sounded best when a little closer together than usual, almost in the same positions where they started between the Magicos. Throughout the following listening sessions, the Driades kept delivering without ever letting me down. Their even-handed nature and the seamless integration of the treble made it easy to forget that I was listening to these little monitors instead of my usual speakers. However, in my extended comparisons, it became clear that although the Magicos are a little creamy and over-polished in the midrange, the Driades go in the other direction, with a subtle increase in output in the upper midrange. But even so, their coherence and utter lack of hardness make one easily adjust to this within the first track. In some ways, I found stepping from the Magicos to the Driades easier than the other way around.<\/p>\n

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A cross-comparison between my usual CH Precision trio (C1.2 DAC, L1 preamp, and A1.5 power amp) and an Accuphase E-270 integrated amplifier proved illuminating. The Accuphase has a special place in my heart for its successful mix of confidence, expression, and naturalness. The amp plays well with various speakers, such as the Xavian Perla Esclusiva, Apogee Duetta, and the Magico S1 MkII.<\/p>\n

As expected, the E-270 drives the Driades confidently, and the sound is beautifully engaging and communicative. But more so than with the Magicos, the loss of resolution and refinement versus the CH system is hard to miss. There is no argument that the CH stack’s combined price tag is ridiculous compared to the Premium Model 9’s modest price tag. Nevertheless, the Driades effortlessly illustrate their transparency by laying bare all the differences between the two systems. They make it very clear that an Accuphase E-270 is not comparable to the CH stack.<\/p>\n

So far, the Premium Model 9s had provided bass that seemed on par with the Magicos. I’m not exaggerating; the little Driades sound even more articulate and incisive than the Magicos! Further, with the music played so far, the Model 9’s bass appeared to go as deep as the Magicos. Just as I was about to accept that illogical prospect as a reality, I decided to play a few tracks with particularly low bass-synth sounds. And sure enough, it now became clear that the Driades start rolling off at about 50Hz, whereas the Magicos go on for another 10Hz in depth, to roll off below that.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, a flat response down to 50Hz is still something to behold for a small monitor speaker. Notably, the Premium Model 9s do not artificially inflate or fatten the bass in any way. They simply sound “full on” with crisp precision and lots of impact all the way down until their limit. As long as you don’t play music that contains absurdly low electronic sounds, you’re not likely to miss any bass depth.<\/p>\n

Next: Xavian Perla Esclusiva and Conclusion<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Xavian Perla Esclusiva<\/h3>\n

Regular readers will know that I have long used Xavian Perla Esclusiva<\/a> monitors in my secondary system<\/a>. Alas, that system has been suspended because I repurposed the space to a roomier office\/Media Room. I kept some components for comparison purposes, including the Xavians. Even if they are the manufacturer’s entry-level products, these small monitors always surprised me with their natural and expressive delivery.<\/p>\n

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As lovely as I have always found them, hearing them after the Premium Model 9s felt like a deception. Sure, they still sounded effortlessly musical and quite spritely, but they were very far behind in terms of resolution, imaging precision, air, refinement, and the overall quality of the bass. Highly resolving and precise speakers tend to be less propulsive and enthusiastic, but the Driades were easily as dynamic and expressive as the Xavians. Honestly, it was no comparison.<\/p>\n

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Of course, the Driades cost roughly double the Xavians’ price tag, but even then, one would normally not expect such elevated performance. To put it plain and simple, the Xavians are musical and fun and very good at their modest price tag, while the Driades are dipping their toes in the high end.<\/p>\n

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Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The Premium Model 9 monitors demonstrate many qualities we know from the Model 2S floorstander. The petite beauties’ bass is not as extended, but with a flat response all the way to 50Hz, still unreasonably good, especially given the tiny driver and small enclosure. The bass is fast, agile, tight, articulate, and hugely propulsive, and it has the right amount of weight to lend body where needed without adding any thickness or artificially inflating or fattening the bass in any way. As long as you don’t play music that contains absurdly low electronic sounds, you’re not likely to miss any bass depth.<\/p>\n

The Premium Model 9s have an enthusiastic, open, communicative, and expressive delivery. Meanwhile, there is no edge, grain, or hardness; neither is there any added warmth, imposed mildness, or other aspect to stand out. Vocals and acoustic instruments, in particular, are portrayed remarkably realistically, although I did not find a single musical genre that works any less than convincingly well.<\/p>\n

The speakers are remarkably transparent, with very good resolution and excellent focus. The sound stage extends not just beyond the speaker enclosures but also beyond my sidewalls and far into the depth plane.<\/p>\n

Uniquely for a “regular” textile dome tweeter, the high frequencies are characterless in the best meaning of the word. The treble is remarkably linear, revealing, precise, and extended, with no roll-off that I can detect, but without being aggressive, and it never calls attention to itself.<\/p>\n

Most of all, the Premium Model 9 is ultra-coherent, fabulously even-handed, and uniform in its behavior.<\/p>\n

Needless to say, if you made it this far, the Premium Model 9 is highly recommended! Moreover, Driade will make a pair in a special finish to become my new reference monitor speakers. For this, please see the latest Premium Model 9 Custom Finish Industry Update<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And with that, they are not just Highly Recommended, but also HFA Favorites.<\/p>\n

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The Premium Model 9 can be pre-ordered with approximately six weeks lead time.<\/em><\/p>\n

Associated Equipment<\/a><\/p>\n

External Links<\/h3>\n

Manufacturer and worldwide distributor: Driade Systems<\/a>
\nDriade Flow website: theflowcable<\/a>
\nContact Driade<\/a><\/p>\n

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