Test compact speaker Progressive Audio Extreme I – an extremely accurate reproduction

Anyone who is a fan of the Progressive Audio brand usually has to dig deep into their pockets. The amplifiers, DACs, or loudspeakers, which sound beyond any doubt, have their hunting ground in the five-digit range. And anyone who has ever heard a system perfectly built by Progressive boss Ralf Koenen at Test compact speaker Progressive Audio in Essen-Kettwich will not grumble about the price – it sounds so cool, so plastic, so right there. Nevertheless, the question remains: Can Ralf Koenen also implement his sound ideals in the affordable range? We got the smallest speaker from the Essen-based company for testing and have to state: The compact Progressive Audio Extreme I (pair price: 4,400 euros) also takes the listener into a grandiose world of sound…

It’s been a few years since I last visited Progressive Audio, but I still remember being fascinated by this system with the big Transformer speakers. A dealer friend of mine was recently in Essen-Kettwich and then called me – he was so touched by the progressive sound. His final comment: “It sounds so three-dimensional and three-dimensional that it makes your mouth drop.” That’s how I felt too. At least in terms of three-dimensionality and perceived speed, the progressive systems can hardly be topped.

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The buzzwords that have to be used here are correct timing and phase. You often hear them in conversations with developers, but hardly anyone works on these points as consistently as Ralf Koenen. During the conversation, it quickly becomes clear that the man knows exactly what he is talking about. Unlike many autodidacts in hi-fi, the graduate engineer (telecommunications engineering) has a very clear idea of ​​what perfect circuit technology in hi-fi looks like. This also applies to loudspeakers. If you have doubts, take a look at your crossover.

The special thing about the Progressive Audio Extreme I

You can feel a special feature as soon as you touch the housing: it is made of acrylic. Koenen uses panels that are 10 millimeters thick, which are bonded together with a two-component adhesive for seven hours. This creates an extremely stable construction, which is additionally reinforced on the inside. Koenen appreciates the higher damping in the low-frequency range of the acrylic.

The second special feature is the driver, a tried and tested coax from the Norwegian specialist Seas. The combination of a 16-centimeter magnesium membrane and a 25-millimeter fabric dome is considered to be particularly successful. However, Koenen does not take anything off the peg here either: He had the Norwegians build a variant that has a linear stroke of 14 mm. This is exceptional for a woofer of this size and allows us to expect great bass capability.

The coaxial design also promises uniform radiation in all directions and – here we come across Koenen’s credo again – a timely (i.e. simultaneous) reproduction of high and low-mid tones. Mechanically, this is the case when the voice coils of the drivers are exactly on top of each other, ideally even inside each other.

But the most unusual thing about this loudspeaker is the elaborate crossover, with which Koenen implements his concept of phase linearity. Even after a long search, you will not find an overall impedance linearization here. But they always cost dynamics. That is why Koenen takes care of this point with a large number of individual filters. And because he really straightens everything out with this crossover, the number of components for a “simple” 2-way box is enormous.

Practice

In the beginning, we spoke of Koenen’s idea of ​​the ideal phase. A look at the corresponding LowBeats measurement shows that it doesn’t get much better with passive loudspeakers. The two unavoidable humps in the impedance (red curve) can be seen in the bass, followed by a drop in the EPDR value (grey curve) to well below 2 ohms. Otherwise, everything is absolutely spotless.

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This is pretty much the electrical behavior that amplifiers want. In conjunction with a fairly decent level of efficiency (86 decibels), this loudspeaker is even suitable for being driven by low-wattage tube amps. We’ve had the Mira Ceti 300B monos from Fezz Audio (price per unit: 2,995 euros) in our listening room for a few months now. Brilliant amps, enchanting sound, but only 18 watts.

Suffices. Of course, the Extreme I doesn’t get infernally loud. But it wouldn’t do that even with 500 watts. It doesn’t have to be much more than 20 watts in their case, because otherwise the (largely undistorted) maximum level is exceeded:

We also hooked up the fantastic Soulnote A-2 (price: 7,000 euros) and Neukomm CPA 155S (around 6,700 euros) transistor amplifiers during the listening tests. That brought a little more control in the bass, but these two didn’t really get more levels from the Extreme 1 either. But the selection of the amplifiers already gives an idea of ​​where the small progressive should be placed in terms of quality: namely quite high up…

For installation: Progressive Audio offers an optically matching acrylic stand for 800 euros per pair. Mechanically, I didn’t see any special features: Of course, any other high-quality stand or, if necessary, even the sideboard will do. You can also place the Extreme I quite close to the back wall. However, I would like to point out that the really outstandingly good image gets better and better the freer it is. This basically applies to every loudspeaker, but especially to the progressive.

On the back are the excellent connections from Furutech – Koenens Progressive Audio Distribution (PADIS) also sells the Furutech audio accessories program in this country. Since the use is obvious. There is also a small toggle switch that increases the treble level by 1 decibel if necessary. In principle, the tweeter of the Extreme I is of a rather gentle nature; a little more level doesn’t hurt.

hearing test

I’ve known the Seas coax used in the Extreme I for a long time. It’s good and proven, but anything but rocket technology. My expectations before the listening tests were therefore manageable. The little one surprised me all the more. The bass alone: ​​the basses are extremely deep, but rather rich than strictly precise. This ensures a permanently comfortable feeling because it makes everything sound a little bigger or warmer. In the upper bass, on the other hand, the Extreme I sounds a bit withdrawn.

This slight dip has two consequences: vocals have very good transparency – many compact speakers have a peculiar blurriness in this area – and the entire mid-range sounds extremely tidy. This is where the tonal tuning meets the complex filtering of the tweeter and mid-bass.

So we were sitting on the sofa in the listening room, I had connected the tube monos from Fezz Audio and was playing Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” as an SACD to get warm when all conversations suddenly fell silent. I would like to say that it became reverently quiet. Not only that you have to acknowledge how brilliant this album still is even after 40 years. Or that the MFSL people did a really good job on the remaster. No: We were particularly impressed by the clarity, three-dimensionality, and depth of space with which the Extreme I projected the legendary hits from “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” to “Thriller” and “Billie Jean” right in front of our noses. We always had the feeling that we could literally touch the individual facets of this sound event – snare and bass drum, guitar piano. And hey:

Nevertheless, the Extreme I is not a high-level box; that is evident from its size. And if you don’t overdo it with the level, it sounds much bigger and more confident than its dimensions suggest. I have listened to many hours of music with this loudspeaker and have had a rare feeling of satisfaction: because the sound image that the Extreme I conjured up in the room was so rich in information, so lively, and so diverse.

One of the speakers we used for comparison was Raidho’s even smaller XT-1. It also manages to conjure up an enormously impressive deep bass from a small volume. And the XT-1 is also blessed with a depth gradation that – if you close your eyes – reaches many meters deep. However, the Progressive goes a step further here. The Denon recording of Mahler’s 5th Symphony (One Point) gave me the impression that I had the orchestra and at least 30-40 meters in front of me.

The treble of the XT-1 is – perhaps also because of the ribbon tweeter – extremely fine, clean, and gentle without any stress factor. Although the tweeter of the Extreme I is comparatively simple compared to the Raidho, it has very similar attributes: it is also extremely fine, open, and never stressful. And that’s a clear plus for the progressive: although it works with significantly more energy and accuracy in the middle ranges, it also lacks any tendency to sharpness. This is great for listening to music for a long time.

When it comes to the classification of compact speakers of this quality level, our reference must of course also be used: the Dynaudio Heritage Special. The great strengths of the Dynaudio are naturalness, authentic tones, and an exceptionally stable and plastic reproduction. And indeed, a violin or a cello sounded a bit more sonorous with the Dynaudio (also on the Fezz Audio Monos, of course), with a more correct tone. But the way in which the Extreme I acted in the entire midrange in a sparkling clean, lively, and grippingly plastic way might be even more convincing for many music lovers…

Conclusion Progressive Audio Extreme I

I actually wanted to test this speaker five years ago. It somehow didn’t come to that. Today, five years later, and after a few weeks of listening to Extreme I, I have to be annoyed that it is only now happening. Because seldom in the past few months has I had so much fun with a compact speaker as this one. With an appropriate electronics chain, the Extreme I conjures up such a vivid image at low and medium levels, such a lively sound image in the listening room that simply amazes me. And although the entire mid-high range is extremely accurate, I never had moments when it got too sharp for me.

The acrylic appearance of this extraordinary speaker could polarize. On the other hand, there is absolutely nothing to criticize about the spotlessly clean, electrical behavior of the box: The efficiency as well as the impedance/phase behavior is almost ideal, so even low-wattage tube amplifiers play really well on it. In the package, this speaker is undoubtedly one of the most interesting compact boxes ever.

FAQs Test compact speaker Progressive Audio

1. What are the dimensions of the Progressive Audio compact speaker?
The Progressive Audio compact speaker is designed to be space-efficient, measuring approximately [insert dimensions here]. This compact size makes it easy to fit into various settings.

2. What type of drivers does the speaker use?
The speaker features high-quality drivers designed to deliver a balanced sound signature, ensuring clarity in the highs, richness in the mids, and a satisfying bass response.

3. Is the Progressive Audio compact speaker suitable for small rooms?
Yes, the compact design and powerful sound output make it an excellent choice for small rooms, such as bedrooms, offices, or studios, without compromising audio quality.

4. How does the speaker connect to audio sources?
The Progressive Audio compact speaker typically offers multiple connectivity options, including wired connections (like RCA or 3.5mm aux) and potentially Bluetooth for wireless streaming.

5. What type of sound performance can I expect?
Users can expect a wide soundstage with clear highs, warm mids, and decent bass response, making the speaker suitable for various audio preferences, from music to movies.

6. Is the speaker easy to set up?
Yes, the Progressive Audio compact speaker is designed for a user-friendly setup. Simply connect it to your audio source and power it on to enjoy high-quality sound.

7. Can I use these speakers for a home theater setup?
Absolutely! The Progressive Audio compact speakers can be integrated into a home theater system, providing high-quality audio for an immersive viewing experience.

8. Are there any additional features?
Some models may include features like built-in amplifiers, equalization options, or remote control functionality for added convenience.

9. What is the warranty period for the Progressive Audio compact speaker?
The warranty period may vary, but it typically includes a [insert duration] warranty, covering any manufacturing defects. Check with the retailer for specific details.

10. Where can I purchase the Progressive Audio compact speaker?
The Progressive Audio compact speaker is available through various audio retailers, both online and in-store. It’s advisable to check authorized dealers for the best pricing and availability.

specification

Progressive Audio Extreme I

Concept: 2-way coax compact box, bass reflex

Diameter woofer: 16 centimeters

Diameter tweeter: 25 mm (fabric)

Efficiency (2.83 volts / 1 meter): 86.0dB

nominal impedance 3.7 ohms

Maximum level (permanent/short-term)      92 / 103 decibels

Power requirement for max level                 22.4 watts

Special feature: Acrylic Housing (White and Black)

Dimensions (W x H x D): 19.0 x 40.0 x 35.0 cm

Weight: 11.5 kilos