_{Prices listed are in CA$.}

I had previously heard the full-size Ether speakers (now in 2.5 version, $24,999/pair)—the original, grown-up counterpart to the Mini Ether ($11,000/pair) that I was invited to listen to on this day—and I loved them. It pushed all my audiophile buttons: dense tone, deep bass, a balanced frequency response, natural timbre, pinpoint imaging, and a vast, holographic soundstage. That soundstage, in particular, is breathtaking the first time you hear it. If you’re a soundstage enthusiast, the Ethers are a revelation—both humbling and mind-blowing.

The Ether and Mini Ether share many design elements: both are 2.5-way speakers with a first-order series crossover, feature a Rock finish, use Furutech binding posts, and have a clear family resemblance—the Mini looks like a more compact version of the Ether. Where they differ is in the construction of their internal cabinets, the way their drivers are isolated, and the placement of their ports. The Ether also uses a beryllium tweeter, while the Mini opts for a soft fabric ring radiator. In terms of specifications, the most significant difference lies in bass extension: the larger Ether reaches down to 30Hz, while the Mini extends to 42Hz.

Of course, speakers don’t perform in isolation—they need a well-matched system of quality components and accessories to make them sing. To that end, the setup featured a full suite of ArtistCloner gear: a computerized streaming DAC built around the AKM4396 192/24 chip, a solid state, 40Wpc Scorpi 1^st Gen. integrated amplifier, a Pteros power distributor v1, two Puratube AC filters, Neotech-series power and signal cabling, and cable risers. Did I mention that ArtistCloner makes everything?

Well, not quite everything. ArtistCloner didn’t build the house where the demo took place—a cozy home in a bucolic neighbourhood beside the Richelieu River. The listening room had a charming, cottage-like décor, with the speakers positioned against a long windowed-wall overlooking a lush backyard with a firepit, shed, and a wooden dining table. Although the room lacked dedicated acoustic treatment, its largely wood-based furnishings and construction created a balanced acoustic environment—neither too lively nor too dampened.

Have you heard of Dave from the YouTube channel Dave Listens to HiFi? If not, I recommend checking it out—Dave shares insightful commentary on audio gear. Unbeknownst to me before my visit, Dave was also there, mooching off the cold cuts and alcohol just like me. I have a soft spot for Dave ever since he slipped me a pen at a major product launch I was covering, defusing what could have been an awkward situation. He’s not only more organized and less scatterbrained than I am, but more composed. Above all, he’s genuinely kind.  

But on to the system’s sound—Across several tracks spanning different genres, the Mini’s sonic character immediately brought to mind that of the larger Ether: an expansive soundstage, wide dispersion that filled the room, well-defined 3D imaging, and an effortless musicality where the sound appeared completely detached from the speakers. When it comes to music sounding self-sufficient—recording permitting—an ArtistCloner setup is hard to beat. Effects extended outward and around the room, and, because the Mini Ethers sound so transparent, I could clearly follow the movement of sounds as they traveled from one point in space to another.

During a jazzy piece, I scribbled—on a napkin so I wouldn’t forget—“trumpet and trombone sound realistic as balls.” Hardly professional—I was there for fun, not work—but it perfectly encapsulated the spontaneity of my awe at hearing the timbral realism the Minis brought to those instruments. The Minis also delivered impact and definition—notes from double bass strings slapped the air with bulging tone replete with texture.

And during a Cuban Latin-inflected song by Quebec artist Philémon Chante, I was struck by the depth of the soundstage, with regards to the tom-toms but particularly the brass section on the right that appeared so far behind Philémon’s voice and guitar, they may as well have been playing by the firepit in the backyard. I’m exaggerating, but it’s to make a point: the Minis excel at mapping out the spatial layout of a recording while preserving the natural timbre of each instrument. Philémon’s guitar sounded uncannily present—right there in the room.

With their combination of transparency and timbral accuracy, the Mini Ethers sounded expressive. I felt this effect on Neil Young’s song “One Thing” from his album This Note’s For You. I wasn’t familiar with this track, but as soon as Neil uttered his first word, I knew it was him—his tonal inflections and vocal timbre were clearly his, qualities that accentuated a sense of vulnerability and artist-to-audience intimacy. Like with Philémon’s voice, Neil’s was spectrally shaped and tinged with natural warmth. After the song ended, Dave looked pleased by what he’d heard.

Next came a music genre close to Sylvio’s heart: bass-charged electronic music. Through the ArtistCloner system, I was treated to a humongous soundfield that extended effortlessly in all directions—left to right, front to back, rebounding in all corners. The room was flooded with graphic sound. Even at relatively high volumes, the system never sounded strained or harsh—it was always thrilling to listen to.

So—how do the $11K Minis compare to the $24K Ethers? While they don’t quite match the scale of the larger speakers—nor should they, at less than half the price—the Minis delivered a coherent, holographic soundstage populated by vividly colorful, well-anchored objects, much like their father. And although the Ethers produce greater bass energy and depth, the Minis’ low end was impressively solid, clean, and articulate. In short, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

Taken on their own, the Minis sounded excellent, to the extent I was genuinely surprised when I found out at the end of the evening what they cost. At CA$ 11,000 per pair (US$ 8000), I consider them a bargain. Warmly recommended for an audition, and another reason—alongside that of being in the company of Sylvio, Isabelle, and Dave—why the evening was so much fun. (And completely fatigue free!)

For more information, visit www.artistcloner.com, or you can contact the company at info@artistcloner.com or 438-338-0218

To check out Dave listens to HiFi, click here.