GAMUT Phi3 MKII

MJ23.05.2014

Stand mount monitors

The Phi3 MKII is an improved version of the loudspeaker that, in November 2011 issue of HiFi & Musik magazine, downed Dali, Sonus Faber, Aurum Cantus, Elac, Canton and KEF competitors. Three years have passed since then, the GamuT ownership has changed, and the company started to rennovate its 'low cost' range of speakers. The MKII is the result.

Function and form

90%
Ease of use
56%
Sound
92%
Appearance

The cabinets are made from a plywood sandwich that is bent into a U shape. The front, rear and bottom baffles are MDF ones. The U shape is decorated by an aluminum groove along its length - this makes the design less boxy for the eye and it also helps to break up resonance modes of the cabinets.

All the drivers are sourced from Scandinavian ScanSpeak. There is custom-adjusted Revelator tweeter (the same we reviewed at the GamuT M´inent M5 floorstanding model), and 10cm midrange driver with a paper cone that is reinforced by cellulose fibers and saturated with special oil which should - according to GamuT - help fight colourations. The bassreflex port fires backwards.

Bass management

Weight
39
Slam
49
Articulation
51

Though everyone knows that the laws of physics are unbendable, the rather miniature Phi3 MKII actually bend them. They are outstanding bass performers - the sheer weight of the bass cannot compete with floorstanding speakers but I guarantee that you will not miss it. On top of that the bass is very natural, without the tendency of overhanging, pushing too much or becoming boomy. In result the GamuTs have what I would call 'bass fidelity' – I would prefer these small monitors for serious studio work to, for example, KEF LS-50, that are designed to be studio monitors, unlike the Phi3 MKII.

Clarity & delicacy

Detail
85
Air
78
Transparency
70

I could detect that the Phi3 MKII were audibly tilted up in high frequencies, my guess is 2-3dB. This spark could be annoying in longer listening sessions unless you have such an excellent tweeter like the silk domed ScanSpeak's Revelator is.  With the Revelator the tilt of the Phi3 results into more detail, better ambient clues, and transparency. If you sit futhetr away from the speakers then a part of highs will be absorbed by usual furnishings, if you sit close than it may be good idea to use textile grilles if the GamuT becomes too analytic for your taste.

Tonal accuracy

Timbre
50
Dynamics
52
Temporal resolution
53

I really recommend to give a listen to these small boxes - they can unleashe a kind of audiophile hell in the room. When playing loud, the Hammond organ's sound was saturated with vivid colours, its tremolo was very tangible and liquid in the analog way. The transparency of the Phi3 across the whole audio band was not diminished by even higher loudness levels - the bass kept delivering solid fundament, the mids were natural and the highs crystalline and pure. A drumstick on a cymbal is the real thing, not just undefined sizzle of glass chips or plastic bags. This is an excellent performance.

Spatial resolution

Holography
56
Soundstage width
58
Soundstage depth
56

The Phi3 MKII were beautifully following the movements of saxophone, as the microphone recorded them. Not only was I able to track lateral movements, but also the ones in the vertical plane. Amazing. There is a hook, however. To make the GamuTs conjure images like that they need a lot of space around. This is essential. Forget about book shelf or corner placement. Place them far away from room boundaries and you'll be surprised how much you can get.

Price as reviewed:47 000,- Kč

Recommended resellers

Iryson, Kvetoslavov, tel. +421 903 418 345

Associated components

  • Sources: GamuT CD3 a páskový magnetofon Tascam BR-20T,
  • Amplifiers: GamuT Di150
  • Interconnects and speaker cables: GamuT The Wormhole

Gallery

AQ Passion Orca

The Passion Orca is an improved version of the Acoustique Quality’s flagship stand-mounted speaker. Alike any other top model the Orca received meticulous attention to detail with only one exception: it was not designed as a ...

Recommended resellers

AQ s.r.o., Červenka, tel. +420 585 342 232

Sound
84%

ATOHM GT 1.0

These Atohm monitors are like a magnifying glass that lets the listener look deep into music. Despite their size they provide explosive dynamics against clear and quiet backdrop - not unlike premium headphones that let you hear a ...

Recommended resellers

Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078

Sound
59%

AURUM CANTUS Leisure 3SE MkII

The craftsmanship is immaculate - the glossy finish is spotless and seamless, this Aurum Cantus monitor is like a supersmooth monolith. There are several layers of hand-polished lacquer on the cabinet that is assembled from extremely ...

Recommended resellers

Hifi studio MeLissa, Brno, tel. +420 777 04 1313

Sound
60%

BOWERS & WILKINS 805 Diamond

Unlike the previous generations of B&W’s the new Diamonds are real diamonds. Within its price range they rank amongst the best available loudspeakers and in certain aspects (airy detail, excellent soundstaging, responsiveness and ...

Recommended resellers

Eurostar Ostrava, Dobřejovice u Prahy, tel. + 420 323 606 877

Jasyko, Brno, 541 210 108

Profimedia, Opava, 553 759 017

Sound
75%

BOWERS & WILKINS PM1

The PM stands for "Prestige Monitor". Bowers & Wilkins ventured into Bugati and Bentley's world with the timeless and luxurious design, sleek aerodynamic curves and premium technologies. It has been long since I had such a exquisite ...

Recommended resellers

Eurostar Ostrava, Dobřejovice u Prahy, tel. + 420 323 606 877

Jasyko, Brno, 541 210 108

Sound
57%

DALI Katch

The Dali Katch is a piece of beauty. The reviewed Cloud Gray unit with its smoky pink-beige finish was an ultimate eye-catcher for any female visitors. VThe visual appeal of a luxury handbag easily overcomes any objections of your ...

Recommended resellers

CZ: Horn Distribution, Praha, +420 272 656 485

Sound
12%

DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY Demand D9

The size of the D9 does not allow to pair the dynamic abilities of these small monitors with a sense of scale and weight, yet they can play impressively loud without any stress. And you bet I played them loud. Add crystalline highs ...

Recommended resellers

CZ: Horn Distribution, Praha, +420 272 656 485

Sound
47%
Back to category