Audiovector R 10 Arreté Loudspeaker: Exceptional Danish Sound and Design

Experience the Audiovector R 10 Arreté, a floorstanding loudspeaker that combines timeless Scandinavian design with cutting-edge audio technology for unmatched clarity and musicality.

A New Chapter in Audiovector’s Flagship Legacy

If you’ve ever been captivated by the deep, rich tones of a finely crafted Danish loudspeaker, then the Audiovector R 10 Arreté stands as a remarkable successor to the revered R 11 Arreté. Slightly broader and deeper but almost the same height, this floorstander comes in at about 85% of the predecessor’s price, offering a compelling balance between size, performance, and value.

From the outskirts of Copenhagen, Audiovector has mastered the art of appealing to a wide audience—from those dipping their toes with affordable bookshelf models to audiophiles chasing high-end statement towers. Their unique approach also includes upgrade paths for the R 1 stand-mount, R 6 floorstander, and R C center channel speakers, allowing owners to evolve their sound from Signature to Avantgarde to the coveted Arreté level.

However, the R 8 and the newer R 10 models are exclusively built with Arreté-grade components, underscoring their premium status. Each evolutionary step within the brand’s lineup delivers more detail, clarity, and engagement while maintaining Audiovector’s signature tonal fingerprint. It's like having a trusted friend in your audio journey—always reliable, always consistent.

Timeless Scandinavian Design Meets High-End Audio

What stands out immediately about the R 10 Arreté is its elegant, clean design—a hallmark of Audiovector’s Scandinavian roots. Unlike many flagship models that get carried away with flamboyant design features, the R 10 Arreté embraces classic slim floorstander aesthetics without the gaudy outriggers, top pods, or bulky bass sections.

Instead, you get a commanding presence in a simple yet sophisticated cabinet—taller and deeper than its siblings—with finishes that exude understated luxury. Audiovector’s attention to detail is evident even in their entry-level models, so it’s no surprise they bring that same care to their flagship.

The Audiovector R 10 Arreté sports its signature tall, narrow Scandinavian cabinet with rich finishes.

Sonic Identity: Defining Its Own High-End Voice

Rather than chasing trends or mimicking market leaders, Audiovector has stayed true to its vision—both visually and sonically. This commitment has carved a niche that doesn't just blend into the high-end audio landscape but enriches it with a distinct voice.

The R 10 Arreté’s “Scandiwegian” design is more than just good looks. The tall, narrow, boat-backed cabinet features a unique “African Mahogany Crotch” veneer—a stunning swirling pattern of wood where branches meet the trunk that’s prized by luxury furniture makers.

Acoustically, such a tall and narrow profile can spell trouble for bass performance, since wider cabinets better support full-range bass drivers. Audiovector tackles this with a clever solution: a “Line Array Bass System” featuring eight five-inch long-throw drivers with nearly half an inch of linear excursion, positioned at the rear. The combined bass surface rivals that of a 15″ woofer, delivering deep, room-filling bass down to 27Hz with impressive midrange extension up to 2kHz. This rear-mounted array also helps keep the speaker’s height manageable—just under 10 feet tall.

Innovative Drivers and Components

At the heart of the R 10 Arreté’s sound are its Arreté-level components. The tweeter section features not one, but two Air Motion Transformer (AMT) tweeters—Audiovector’s own design with rear-radiation control. The first covers 3kHz to 53kHz, while the second extends ultra-high frequencies from 20kHz to 53kHz. Audiovector dubs this innovative setup the “Dual AMT Hyper Tweeter,” avoiding the “supertweeter” label while achieving the same smooth, extended upper range.

Below the tweeters sit twin 165mm AFC carbon-sandwich bass drivers and a dedicated midrange. The Accelerated Force Concept (AFC) drivers are a standout innovation, with concertina suspensions made from natural neoprene rubber, titanium voice coils wrapped with carbon fiber, and carbon-resin sandwich cones—all designed to minimize distortion while maximizing responsiveness. Expect to see this technology sweep down into future R-Series models.

A Founder’s Vision Brought to Life

This sonic approach is rooted in Audiovector’s heritage. Ole Klifoth, the brand’s founder, shared his early inspiration:

“I wanted to recreate the kind of sound I experienced in Tivoli’s Concert Hall, 13th row, middle, from where I could take in both the overview and the details. Or in Jazzhus Montmartre, sitting about 3–4 meters from the musicians. I loved the atmosphere of the jazz club... I decided—because I was young and adventurous and didn’t know if it was impossible—that it should be my project.”

That deep musical authenticity still guides Audiovector’s design team today, blending physics, measurement science, and an artful touch to create speakers that perform brilliantly both in the lab and at home.

Engineering Excellence in Every Detail

The R 10 Arreté’s teardrop-shaped cabinet is more than a stylistic choice—it reduces the need for heavy damping materials, contributing to acoustic inertness. Constructed from vacuum-formed high-density hardwood fiberboard with internal bracing, the cabinet also features 6061-grade aluminum baffles to minimize vibrations.

Audiovector’s obsession with quality extends to the crossover network, employing precision film resistors, optimized copper coils, cryogenic polypropylene dielectrics, tin-flashed copper-foil capacitors, and X Duelund bypass capacitors. The second-generation Freedom Grounding system is integrated here, draining unwanted currents for cleaner sound reproduction.

Power and Amplification: Tailored for Excellence

Although the R 10 Arreté’s sensitivity and impedance suggest it’s not a demanding beast, it truly thrives when paired with amplifiers capable of delivering strong current. Audiovector has a history of collaboration with high-end brands like Naim Audio source component, but it’s clear that both solid-state and tube amplifiers that provide robust peak current will unlock the loudspeaker’s full potential.

To make matching easier, a three-position rear switch adjusts the damping factor to suit different amplifier types: medium damping for most solid-state amps, low damping for tube amplifiers, and high damping for powerful solid-state amps. This clever feature also offers subtle tone shaping, letting enthusiasts experiment with bass character without risk.

An Audiophile’s Dream and a Newcomer’s Treasure

Two kinds of listeners will find the R 10 Arreté irresistible: loyal Audiovector fans craving the brand’s pinnacle and newcomers hunting for a high-end speaker that marries elegance with punchy, room-filling sound.

The R 10 Arreté delivers a beautifully extended treble, an open, natural midrange, tuneful bass, and seamless driver integration—all hallmarks of Audiovector’s sound from the QR 1 SE to the flagship R 11 Arreté. Owners of the R 8 or R 11 models will find the R 10 familiar yet superior, though a personal audition is always recommended.

For first-timers, these speakers pack a wallop with bass-heavy tracks—whether that’s Strauss’ majestic orchestral score, the swinging rhythms of Count Basie, John Bonham’s thunderous drumming, or the futuristic punches of Infected Mushroom’s electronic beats.

Musical Highlights and Listening Experiences

One standout track is “End of the Road” from Infected Mushroom’s Legend of the Black Schwarma. Its fast, deep electronic bass drum hits come alive with punch and clarity, delivering chills and exhilarating energy, thanks to the nearly square-wave bass beats.

The AMT tweeter array lends an effortless, fluid upper midrange and treble that puts most dome tweeters to shame. Whether it’s Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music or Yoko Ono’s avant-garde albums, these speakers maintain composure without harshness. The resulting soundstage is expansive and immersive.

The R 10 Arreté doesn’t aim for clinical neutrality but rather offers a warm lower midrange that adds body and allure to vocals and instruments without muddying the sound. Tracks like “Sunson” by Nils Frahm showcase this balance, blending electronics and organic sounds with convincing precision.

On the heavier side, Tool’s “7empest” comes through with menacing drums and gritty guitars wrapped in clarity, making for an intense listening journey.

Even rap tracks like Young MC’s “Know How” sound articulate and punchy, proving the loudspeaker’s versatility across genres.

Other sonic gems include Public Service Broadcasting’s “Go,” with its atmospheric synths and historic NASA samples, and King Curtis’s “Memphis Soul Stew,” where the rhythm section grooves irresistibly, inviting foot tapping.

Final Thoughts: The Audiovector R 10 Arreté Stands Apart

To put it simply, the R 10 Arreté is flexible, musical, and deeply enjoyable—qualities that Audiovector has honed over decades. If you prefer your sound overly bright, forward, or massive, these may not be your speakers. But if you appreciate a balanced, natural, and engaging listening experience, welcome aboard.

Marrying Danish aesthetics with sonic excellence, the R 10 Arreté confidently claims its spot in the high-end audio world, impressing even those familiar with the brand’s storied excellence.

Specifications & Pricing

• Type: Rear-ported floorstanding loudspeaker
• Drivers:
  • 1.5″ AMT N 51 (Extreme Tweeter)
  • 1.5″ AMT N 51 (Tweeter)
  • 6.5″ AFC carbon sandwich cone (Midrange)
  • 6.5″ AFC carbon sandwich cones (Lower Midrange)
  • 8 x 5″ long-throw rear-mounted bass drivers
• Crossover Frequencies: 180Hz, 450Hz, 3kHz, 20kHz
• Frequency Response: 27Hz–53kHz ±2dB
• Distortion: 0.15% at 90dB SPL
• Sensitivity: 90.5dB/W
• Impedance: 8 ohms
• Dimensions: 14.3″ (W) x 63″ (H) x 24.6″ (D)
• Weight: 199 lbs. each
• Price: $165,000 per pair

Associated Equipment Used in Review

• Source Component: Naim Audio ND555 with 555PS
• Preamplifier: Gryphon Commander
• Power Amplifier: Gryphon Apex Stereo
• Power Conditioner: AudioQuest Niagara 7000 (source and preamplifier only)
• Equipment Support: Bassocontinuo Aeon X
• Cables: Audiovector Freedom Grounding, Audiovector Zero Compression Arreté

FAQ

• What is unique about the Audiovector R 10 Arreté’s bass system?
  It uses a “Line Array Bass System” with eight rear-mounted 5-inch drivers that combine to deliver deep bass down to 27Hz, replacing the need for a large front-facing woofer.
• Can the R 10 Arreté be used with tube amplifiers?
  Yes! It features a three-position rear switch to optimize performance with tube amps, solid-state amps, or high-power solid-state amps, allowing tonal flexibility.
• How does the design contribute to sound quality?
  The teardrop-shaped cabinet reduces internal damping requirements, and the aluminum baffles minimize vibrations, resulting in a very inert and acoustically neutral enclosure.
• Is the Audiovector R 10 Arreté suitable for different music genres?
  Absolutely. It excels with everything from classical and jazz to rock, electronic, and even old-school rap, providing clarity and musicality across the board.
• What makes the tweeters special in the R 10 Arreté?
  Audiovector’s Dual AMT Hyper Tweeter system uses two Air Motion Transformer tweeters with rear-radiation control, delivering smooth, extended high frequencies without harshness.

Ready to bring home the timeless sound and design of the Audiovector R 10 Arreté? Shop your favorite album cover posters and celebrate your music passion at Architeg Prints for a perfect audio-visual pairing.