French audio specialist Atohm has long earned acclaim for delivering audiophile-grade loudspeakers that punch far above their weight in performance while remaining remarkably accessible. The brand’s latest announcement reinforces this reputation with the all-new Sirocco series, a comprehensive redesign of its popular lineup. Comprising the compact Sirocco 1.24 two-way stand-mount, the Sirocco 2.24 two-and-a-half-way floorstander, and the Sirocco Center two-and-a-half-way center channel, this range promises immersive musical reproduction through meticulous engineering upgrades.
Born from a rigorous three-year development program, every element of the Sirocco models has been re-engineered for superior linearity, dynamics, and distortion-free sound. The result? Speakers that defy expectations in their price category, offering powerful bass, tonal accuracy, and emotional engagement without the artifacts that plague lesser designs.
Driver Innovations at the Core
At the heart of the Sirocco’s sonic prowess are its custom drivers, matched to an ultra-tight 0.25 dB tolerance for seamless integration. The tweeters feature a 20mm lightweight silk dome, paired with die-cast aluminum waveguides for optimized dispersion. High-grade ND52H neodymium magnets and precisely calibrated rear chambers minimize resonances, ensuring crystal-clear highs.
The mid/woofers employ a proprietary “special” paper cone made from oriented short fibers, surrounded by Atohm’s LDS (Low Diffraction Surrounding) rubber for reduced edge diffraction. An 84mm ferrite magnet system, linearity-optimized pole pieces, and a 25mm voice coil are enhanced by the brand’s exclusive dual TICR (Thermal and Inductive Control Rings) technology in the voice-coil pole plate. This innovation controls thermal and inductive behaviors, yielding exceptional power handling and vanishingly low distortion.
These advancements culminate in a refined signature: extreme linearity across the frequency spectrum, absence of audible distortion, and bass that is both potent and pureโfree from boom or overhang.
Intelligent Crossovers and Cabinet Refinements
The Sirocco crossovers adhere to Atohm’s philosophy of simplicity and precision, utilizing 6 dB/octave slopes enabled by time-aligned, phase-optimized drivers. Hand-selected components are individually calibrated, with impedance correction circuits ensuring amplifier-friendly loads and broad compatibility. A thoughtful 3-position high-frequency attenuator, adjustable in 2 dB steps, allows users to fine-tune treble to suit room acoustics or personal taste.
Cabinet design has evolved with Atohm’s SWD (Standing Wave Damper) technologyโa laminar absorption cavity combined with a downward-firing bass-reflex port. This setup neutralizes internal resonances, delivering clean upper-bass and lower-midrange devoid of coloration.
True to Atohm’s ethos, all Sirocco models are handcrafted in-house in France, with each driver subjected to exhaustive testing before assembly. The enclosures are available in four sophisticated finishes: natural oak or walnut wood veneer, or satin black or white lacquer.
Pricing and Availability
The new Sirocco range is now shipping exclusively through authorized Atohm dealers in the United States:
- Sirocco Center: $1,800 each
- Sirocco 1.24: $2,400 per pair
- Sirocco 2.24: $3,800 per pair
