We paid a visit to Elektra, a new domestic manufacturer of loudspeakers, and got acquainted with their debut model called Phantom. These two-way speakers use a labyrinth-type acoustic design and have some unique features — notably, a wider-than-usual listening sweet spot and switchable crossover settings that subtly change the sound.

The design clearly follows the “form follows function” philosophy, which, in my opinion, adds to their appeal. That said, the speakers are quite large. Technically, they’re bookshelf models, but they definitely won’t fit on just any shelf.

Among the available finishes, the forged carbon option looks especially striking — though it’s also the most expensive one.

The showroom itself left a pleasant impression as well — neat, well-designed, and functional (don’t mind a bit of clutter in the photos — they were taken in the middle of some audio experiments).

During our visit, we tested the Phantoms with a variety of amplifiers, including a tube amp and the AMPLOI.

Our brief listening session revealed the speakers to be quite versatile — jazz and psychedelic trance both sounded excellent. It’s worth noting, though, that this system thrives on power, so you’ll need a good amplifier to get the most out of them. But you’ll be rewarded with solid punch and clean sound.

Of course, as with any system, the best thing is to hear it for yourself — ideally, on a visit to Elektra.