It was bound to happen. Peter Lyngdorf initiated the startup Purifi back in 2014. He put together some of the most brilliant minds of the audio industry to investigate on which fronts the level of audio performance could be (further) improved. Today Purifi offers Eigentakt class-D amplifiers and a wide variety of speaker drivers, both with paper and aluminum cones. All of their products offer spectacular low distortion specs. That’s where we are today. So, it was bound to happen. At some point Purifi speaker drivers would find their way into a Lyngdorf speaker design. Ladies and gentlemen: meet the Lyngdorf CUE-100. We wanted to be one of the first to put our nose (or should I say ears) in it. Here goes…
Lyngdorf meets Purifi
The Danes have a stellar reputation on digital amplification. RoomPerfect has been one of their trademarks for years now. Let’s not forget the partnership with Steinway & Sons and the beautiful products they offer. Just to say that these guys are very serious. Lyngdorf also offers a lot of speaker solutions, both for stereo and multichannel setups. They love 2+2 speaker setups, which extend traditional stereo speakers with (corner/boundary) woofers. This approach improves the punch and impact of the bass which provides better insight or depth into the soundstage. It also offers the ability to play louder without compromising the performance. Their lineup starts at just a few hundred euro’s for the MH series up to their big line source solutions of the LS series. So, we have everything we need right? What more is there to come? The low distortion drivers of Purifi present a new kind of listening experience. Their midrange and (mid)bass is pristine, clean and revealing in a truly musical way. Time for a statement. What if Lyngdorf would integrate the best of current Purifi driver technology in a new, stylish design? To show musical lovers what to expect as of now. Here’s your “raison d’être” for the Lyngdorf CUE-100.
Eyes and ears for design details
Wherever you look, you can’t get past the exceptional build quality of the Lyngdorf CUE-100. The enclose looks and feels very solid with it’s almost 14Kg. The triangular design helps to prevent internal standing waves. At the front there is room for AMT or “air motion transducer”. It’s one of the best tweeter designs out there, because it has little to no mass and can move very fast. It can handle a wide amount of bandwidth and power. Just underneath, one of the best drivers Purifi currently has to offer: a 6.5inch aluminum cone driver with typical neutral surround geometry. To enhance the overall bass performance and SPL handling, two 6.5inch passive radiators occupy the sides of the triangular design. The Lyngdorf CUE-100 is a closed speaker system. Hidden in the bottom of the enclosure we find the gold plated terminals. They accept both spades and bananas.
In terms of design the actual speaker can be finished in various ways: white/white, black/black, white/oak and black/oak. The oak tripod or stand legs are included. Although they may not be everyone’s favorite, they were chosen for optimal stability. Form follows function. True audiophiles love to “see” their gear, in this case the driver array. To please the more demanding wives, you can opt for a pair of optional fabric sleeves with oak top. They are available in the colors grey, black, petrol blue, dusty green and red. In combination with the white, black or oak base, the buyer can choose between 15 different looks, which can be visualized on the Lyngdorf website. The fabric of the sleeves is provided by Gabriel, one of Denmarks leading fabric specialists since 1851. Gabriel creates the finest fabrics for furniture, interiors, and acoustics.
CUE the music
We match the Lyngdorf CUE-100 with a Lyngdorf TDAI-3400 digital amplifier. Staying with the same brand brings the added value of utilizing the RoomPerfect correction process to minimise the influence of the listening room. Added bonus is that the amplifier has a specific setting for the speakers when hooking up the system. With the Lyngdorf CUE-100 being rated as a 4 Ohm speaker, the Lyngdorf TDAI-3400 provides a whopping 2 x 400 Watts. Better be safe than sorry, considering the 83 dB sensitivity.
First up is an intriguing track from Arca. Starting at the first note, you’re instantly in “focus” mode. It’s almost impossible to believe what you’re hearing. The synth – string alike arrangement is painted in the air, with an unexpected wide and deep soundstage. The voice is without grain and surrounded with so much finesse and detail that it’s like the performance is happening right in front of me. The bass lines are very well defined, airy and have enough weight to be convincing real. The global separation is maximized, the musical intent fully loaded. The whole track has this airiness, smoothness and realism which will become very addictive. Wauw !
Let’s pick up a little more pace with Tony Furtado. Again the same thing happens. From the first few notes, this disbelief rises in me. The percussion arrangement kicks off. All the different elements (cymbals, snare, drums, kick drum) are presented in such a realistic way that you might think the drum kit is actually in the room. Everything is so well balanced and has the right amount of dynamics. With ease you can detect the added studio reverb. Guitars are free of that metallic grain and sound genuine. The lead vocal sounds open and communicative. When cranking up the volume to real life performance levels, the complete system just scales up without any restraint.
Change of scenery. Moving on to some rap music from Getts featuring Stormzy. The backing vocals float into the listening room from the sides. Everything that is put in the mix can be determined with ease. I would characterize it as “studio monitor like” in the sense that you are able to differentiate every part of the song in a clear and individual way. Big difference being that the Lyngdorf CUE-100 doesn’t sound like a studio monitor at all. All the pieces of the puzzle come together in a way that reveals the artists intent. The bass notes are tight, precise and very well defined. They cary a realistic amount of weight that would suggest the speaker has full range aspirations. Mind that real life levels are wanted, but the laws of physics prohibit a true disco party. Ten out of ten blinded listeners would state that the Lyngdorf CUE-100 is a big tower loudspeaker.
Show of hands for who knows Edson Lopes? Right, he’s that Brazilian guitarist that loves to play well known classical peaces on guitar. Let’s try out the organ work “Toccata and Fuge in D minor from Bach. And yes, a guitar can compete with the imposing size of a church organ. His interpretation adds a certain intimacy and finesse to the way Bach composes his work (in a mathematical way). The musical translation by the Lyngdorf CUE-100 is loaded with energy, emotion and conviction. Lopes’ guitar sounds … like a real guitar. It’s sounds simple to say/write this, but we all know it’s not. The guitar sounds clean, uncolored and free of grain. All these rather technical wordings refer to that naturalness we’ve all been craving for such a long time !
Jazz time ! For sure a female voice and double bass can set the right mood. Petra Magoni sings, while Ferruccio Spinetti pulls the strings. Together they cover “I never can say goodbye” in their “Musica Nuda” way. Petra’s voice presentation shows many similarities with our first track from Arca. The level of provided detail sucks the listener right into the original scenery. Isn’t that what we music lovers want? To become part of the musical experience. The Lyngdorf CUE-100 provides ! Spinetti’s double bass has depth, snap and speed. If you close your eyes, they appear right in front of you.
More jazz. More tempo. Medeski, Martin and Wood provide an instant vibe and swing for the listener. The double bass, drums and piano suck you right in. Bring on the whiskey and cigars ! Impossible to keep your head still. In fact, you might feel an urge to join them playing virtual drums. This gives testimony to the musical persuasion of the speakers and the system. Real life dynamics turn your listening room into an elite jazz club. Start serving drinks ! That tom tom sounds so real that you can almost taste it.
We have entered a new era. Finally ! The technical progress in this design allows the listener to take a giant leap towards a musical experience instead of reproduction. That’s the main message Lyngdorf wants to send out with its CUE-100. One could experiment with adding woofers and/or Purifi amplifier modules (as used in the Lyngdorf MXA-8400). However interesting, that would only cloud today’s message: music has finally come home in the form of a complete stereo package for the small to medium living rooms.
Price
20.000 euro for white/white or black/black finish
21.000 euro for white/oak or black/oak finish
750 euro per optional fabric sleeve with oak top, available in different colors
Technical specs
Description: Stand mount speaker
Power handling: 250 Watts
Tweeter: Air motion transducer, Kapton foil, Neodymium magnet
Midrange/woofer: 18 cm / 6.5-inch Aluminum cone, 39 mm 4-layer copper-clad aluminum voice coil on fiberglass former, Neutral surround geometry, Die-cast vented basket
Woofer: 2 x 18 cm / 6.5-inch passive radiator, Aluminum cone, Neutral surround geometry, Die-cast vented basket
Enclosure: MDF, oak
Frequency response: 35 – 22,000 Hz (-3 dB)
Nominal impedance: 4 Ohm
Sensitivity: 83 dB 2.83 v/ 1 m
Crossover frequency: 2300 Hz
Connections: Gold-plated speaker binding posts
Recommended placement: On stand (included)
Dimensions (W x H x D): 350 x 513 x 329 mm /13,8 x 20,2 x 13 inches
597 x 1196 x 520 mm / 23,5 x 47,1 x 20,5 inches (including stand)
Weight: 13,8 kg / 30.4 lbs
16,2 kg / 35.7 lbs (including stand)
Standard finishes: white/oak base, black/oak base, white/white base, black/black base, stand legs in oak, optional fabric covers in different colors
Software list
Arca – Tierno (kiCK iiiii)
Ghetts featuring Stormzy – Skengman
Tony Furtato – Raleigh and Spencer (Tony Furtato Band)
Edson Lopes Guitar – Toccata and Fuge in D Minor by Johan Sebastian Back
Petra Magoni, Ferruccio Spinetti – I never can say goodbye (Musica Nuda 2)
Medeski, Martin & Wood – Buster rides again (Tonic)
Review setup
Lyngdorf TDAI-3400
Purist Audio Design Aqueous power cord
Roon Core (Tidal)
Oehlbach State-of-the-art loudspeaker cables
Oehlbach Powerstation 909
Lyngdorf CUE-100
20.000The Lyngdorf CUE-100 is a technical statement from Lyngdorf. It’s packed with the latest Purifi driver technology for the mids and bass, paired with their in house AMT tweeter. It opens up the window to a new era of listening. Say goodbye to just “reproducing” the sound. Say hello to being part of the “musical experience”. The Lyngdorf CUE-100 might just tick all your boxes. You’ll definitely need to dust off your entire music collection. This bookshelf speaker offers full range aspirations with layered, tight bass for people who love a discrete, potent stereo setup. If the overal design and colorful finish meets your interior, you’re all set. Best of high end award !
Pros
- Exceptional build quality
- New level of performance
- Full range aspirations
- Colorful finish options
Cons
- Substantial investment
- Bold tripod stand
