Sound reproduction of the Starke Audio Beta7
Contents
The Beta7 stands out for its controlled sound reproduction combined with a surprisingly open and neutral midrange. This is a pleasant loudspeaker that does justice to classical, jazz and vocal music. However, it is not a true all-rounder. Despite the improved positioning, it lacks the necessary impact and punch in the lower frequencies.
You notice this particularly with pop and electronic music. In my view, this speaker is less suited for those genres. And at low volumes, it doesn’t quite come into its own. It only really gets going at around 70dB. That’s probably because these speakers draw quite a bit of power from the amplifier. Being a 4Ohm speaker might have something to do with that. I have to turn the volume up considerably higher than with other speakers.
Listening
‘Walk in the Dark’ by Ryan Adams sounds excellent. The silky-smooth tweeter is free from any harshness, and the tormented voice of the maligned Adams sounds fragile and honest, as it should be. Instruments are tucked a little further back in the mix than we’re used to, but the song’s intention comes across beautifully and, before we know it, we’re listening to the rest of the album. Nice.
‘Catch Me I’ll Surrender’, the first track on Gala Dragot’s EP ‘Twerking Music’, sounds great too. A mesmerising piano accompanies this song, at times in a menacing and at the same time in a more detached manner. Dragot’s stunning voice is reminiscent of Nina Simone, if we have to make a reference. The Beta7 turns it into a delightful listening experience, with every detail clearly audible once again. The second track, ‘Femcel Anthem’, is perhaps even more beautiful. With references to the sixties but it’s that special voice that enchants time and time again. Every nuance in the phrasing is clear, and every sigh and tremor in her voice resonates with the listener.
‘Ronquières’ by Madou has been one of my reference tracks for years. I use this track to test a speaker’s dynamics and rhythm, and it’s also quite a spicey recording, I don’t notice any problems this time round. The treble is clearly rounded and somewhat polished. The Beta has a forgiving nature and renders this track in a completely different way to what I’m used to. Whilst it has plenty of drive and rhythm, I wouldn’t call the Beta7 a fast speaker. It’s more of a relaxed reproducer with an open sound.
Regular readers will know that I enjoy listening to electronic music, and, as mentioned above, the Beta7 is less suited for this genre. During ‘Scythe Master’ by Four Tet, we can hear all the bells and effects, but the beat is just a little buried in the mix. It sounds a fair bit better placed against the back wall, but there’s still a lack of punch in the lower midrange. There is, however, real depth to the soundstage and a lovely sense of layering throughout the track.
Placement, placement, placement
Maybe you’re not entirely satisfied with the sound off your speakers and suspect there’s more to gained? Have a go at moving them around. That sometimes makes a world of difference. I myself spent a lot of time – weeks in fact – getting my Revels in the right spot. That spot is now an ideal starting point for most monitors, but not for the Beta7. So i had to start all over again. A long but necessary process.
Who’s it for?
The Beta7 seems to be designed to be placed close to a wall. So you can put them on a piece of furniture or next to a television and use them as a surround speaker in a home cinema system. Or in a corner against the ceiling – that would probably work too. Having said that this speaker is also for someone who mainly listens to jazz, classical and vocals. It’s a speaker that never sounds harsh or aggressive and offers excellent clarity. Ideal, therefore, for TV series and movies.
Comparison
Our budget reference is the Elac Debut 3.0 B6.3. Pricewise, it’s closer to the Beta5 but is only available in one version. The Elac has a bit more punch at the low end and is a solid all-rounder. It sounds slightly darker than the Starke Sound and is a little less detailed. The tweeter is slightly livelier than the Starke Sound’s, but it never sounds harsh or tiring. Vocals come through beautifully on both speakers, though the Starke Sound sounds slightly more natural.
Conclusion
The review of the Starke Sound Beta7 did not go smoothly, to put it mildly. The brand-new pair had to be broken in for a week, and then it took another week before I found a suitable place for them. Next we had to find a good match when finally, I was able to get started.
This Starke Sound Beta7 is quite an unusual speaker. It performs very well with some genres and somewhat less with others. It is therefore not a true all-rounder, so it will be important to test them beforehand. And that is possible thanks to the 30-day money-back guarantee offered by Starke Sound. Try before you buy.