Radiotehnika Vita 2.06 Review

Radiotehnika Vita 2.06 floor acoustics test: music of peace of mind

We dug into history, looked for some analogies; they created theories that in their probability rested on harsh reality; made plans, putting together guesses like a puzzle - the release of the new generation of Alfa speaker systems from the Radiotehnika brand turned out to be so difficult, but rich in emotions.

And indeed, there is something to discuss. The only thing I would like to return to in the framework of the last review is our mentality in general and our attitude towards the budget segment of speaker systems in particular. It seems that most of us still believe in miracles, trying to blame logical circumstances that positively influence the final result. “Russia, but not in Russia” is perhaps a great idea for a new sticker, with which ideological readers will mark everything that in one way or another corresponds to it.

But there is no need to attach the author’s indignation to the general state of affairs, because the author’s job is to listen and shake his head, and the manufacturer’s job is to listen and meet the requirements (even if sometimes fantastic) that the consumer places on him. So we came to another sticker that fits perfectly into the format of this review: “Russia - made in Russia.”

Vita is life

And yet dreams come true - what is not a reason to believe in miracles again? The impressions of Alpha have not yet had time to cool down when Radiotehnika Vita is approaching - a new line of speaker systems that will occupy the mid-price range relative to its predecessor. There is also an expectation for a cinema here, and its layout will be much more developed than in the case of the younger “Alpha”.

So, let's go from top to bottom: the older floor-standing speakers received an index of 2.06. Smaller floorstanders are Vita 2.05. There is one set of shelf-readers, marked Vita 2.04. What’s nice is that there are two options for flat wall-mounted speakers: Vita 2.01 has one full-range speaker, Vita 2.02 has two bands, so nothing can stop you from using them as fronts if there is no room left for other speakers. The central channel received an index of 2.03, the active subwoofer - 2.07. Moreover, the subwoofer is made in a flat form factor, which echoes the wall-mounted speakers - a rather interesting solution for this budget.

In general, the Vita line makes it clear that Radiotehnika has the most serious intentions and has done a good job on the range of acoustics. Such variability is always captivating, because cases when a stereo system is expanded to a cinema system are far from isolated, and it is always nice to have a mono-brand, obviously coordinated set.

But let's get back to the main thing. To the fact that many have been haunted since the Alfa 1.02 review: the Vita line is not only developed, but also made in Russia. As it is fashionable to say now - maximum localization, which comes on the heels of import substitution. Well, finally, right? If the author’s memory serves me correctly, the Vita line will become the first serial acoustics to be produced in our country.

Somewhere at this moment, in theory, pride in the domestic manufacturer should awaken: after all, we can do it if we want! But desire alone was clearly not enough here, since the production of acoustics on an industrial scale where this has not happened before requires the satisfaction of many more factors, among which the financial issue inexorably takes first place.

And here we can again return to the issue of localization of the Alfa line: in order to maintain an adequate price tag for the buyer, Radiotehnika resorted to the help of an Asian production resource. And, leaving theory aside, we were convinced in practice that this did not prevent Alfa from becoming a worthy representative of its price segment, with its own sound character, which does not echo anyone and gives this acoustics individuality. Now it's Vita's turn.

Radiotehnika Vita 2.06

The senior floor workers in the line greeted us modestly. Well, what did you want from the traditional style? The floor-standing columns are a little over a meter high, there are still the same holes for grills on the front panel, but there are more speakers, because the Vita 2.06 is already a full-fledged three stripes. The MDF cases are covered with veneer, and this time we have two color options: black and white. Well, that's already progress.

Perhaps in the older Gamma line we should expect another, third, finishing option, because progress should be inexorable. But if you leave sarcasm and move on to tactile sensations, then they are really pleasant. The cabinet is well designed, with a characteristic wood texture and slightly rounded edges. Here's a solid five in the duty diary.

The back panel is clean. The minimalism is highlighted by a pair of bass reflex ports almost at the very bottom. Below, in the round dock, there is a pair of terminals for speaker wires. Looking at them, you involuntarily catch a dissonance: it is very, very unusual to see inscriptions in Russian on the acoustics.

So, three lanes. The bass is handled by a pair of speakers with a diameter of 168 mm, the diffusers of which are made of paper. Paper! Although, it would seem: what’s bad about Polyglass, which we saw in Alfa 1.02? High-tech, modern, high-quality material, it performed well in terms of working with bass. But, apparently, the ideology of the Vita line implies a transition to more traditional materials.

The mid-frequency driver is 146 mm in diameter, and also made of paper. From the inside, both types of drivers have a complex design, to describe which you will need to switch to the language of technical terms. Let's start with the fact that when developing these speakers, computer modeling methods were used with all their might. Their behavior under thermal, vibration and mechanical loads was studied. Each such experiment led to a change in the design of the speaker to obtain the most stable characteristics of the test subject.

We will further divide the description, because the speakers have design differences that were necessary due to the difference in potential loads and tasks.

Thus, the mid-frequency electromagnetic system was created using balanced magnetic field technology. This has significantly improved sound characteristics and reduced distortion. The coil frame of this speaker is made of carbon fiber and has ventilation holes to improve dynamic properties.

The woofer was created with the expectation of providing the best impulse response when loaded on a small volume of air in the acoustics cabinet. To combat self-induction and stabilize the magnetic field of the coil, an aluminum ring is built into the magnetic system of the speaker. Thanks to this, it was possible to significantly reduce distortion at high volume levels.

The tweeter has a 22mm silk dome with precision coating, which, according to the manufacturer, has a beneficial effect on the purity and naturalness of the upper frequencies. Behind the dome there are cameras that are designed to level out resonances - another step towards reducing the level of distortion. The same goal was pursued by creating ventilation holes in the driver voice coil. And the final touch is a waveguide that optimizes the angular radiation pattern.

Special attention was paid to the crossover. Jantzen inductors and Audiocore polypropylene capacitors are used here. The crossover is manufactured using the hinged mounting method - a serious application for the acceptance of these floor-standing speakers into the ranks of audiophile ones.

The cabinets of Radiotehnika Vita 2.06 also have a twist: they have a system of internal struts. This is usually enough to avoid unnecessary vibrations and unwanted coloration of the sound. This also includes the spikes that you will find in the kit - a nice little thing. But in general, for acoustics in this budget it would be possible to add a little more nice little things, like hidden driver mounting bolts, magnetic grills or something like that. But, recalling the experience of interacting with Alfa 1.02, there is hope that all these little things intertwined into a single ball, transformed into financial potential and were directed into sound.

Reality and stereotypes

Listening to Radiotehnika Vita 2.06 took place in three stages, with three amplifiers of different price ranges. The first is the Rotel A14 MKII, an almost ideal price companion for these floorstanding speakers. The second amplifier was the Rotel RA-1592 MKII - a serious application, the price tag was twice as high. And the third choice was obvious: who listens to paper speakers with transistor amplifiers? Therefore - Cayin CS-55A KT88. The source was T+AR 1000 E with an extensive media library from Qobuz.

Relaxed and languid, let's start with an autumn playlist led by transistors, with the track “September Song” from Agnes Obel. There were no revelations, because with both amplifiers the picture we got was quite digestible and pleasing to the ear. Rotel articulates and sets the tone, Vita obediently executes its plans. Slightly pedantic, but quite atmospheric.

We complicate the task with the track “Montreal” performed by Allison Russel from the same playlist. The mood changed little, but the track itself added some color. Vocals, variety of bass lines, transition from English to French - in general, this is a very mannered track, which, despite its deliberate sadness, has an abundance of emotional intonations.

Replacing Rotel gives a clearly audible result: with the older Vita 2.06 they significantly exceed their price level, which gives reason to talk about their responsiveness and transparency for system components. Yes, this is not rock crystal on a clear sunny day; the general tendency of the sound picture is still indicated by the Vita’s characteristic evenness of timbres and its characteristic neutral-warm balance of frequencies. But in fact, it all comes down to the fact that you want to make it louder. Perhaps this obsessive languor is not for them?

No problem, let's take the expensive Rotel and the expressive “Just a Little Song From St. Lucia" by Thomas Siffling Trio. Everything turned out very correctly, the result was expected: the attenuation of percussion academically goes deep into the stage, the percussion instruments can be counted, and the trumpet with its light veil claims to be the most correct trumpet with a light veil.

Meanwhile, on the top shelf of the counter, Cayin was waiting for his turn, slyly winking with lamps through the protective grill. Well, the lamps are warmed up, once again “Montreal”. And then again “Montreal”, and again. Here it is! Vita has not only been transformed - there is an impression that they are playing with completely different acoustics, the class of which must be ranked very carefully, due to possible misunderstanding on the part of the reader.

But there are phrases that everyone knows and seem to understand as needed: “a cut above”, “a completely different level”, “the speakers have dissolved”. Still, it turns out that our stereotypes work, and the lamp and paper are compatible at all levels of music reproduction. Let me leave this as a basic description of what happened, because otherwise it would have to be called magic.

The sound hugged, kissed, circled, and put in place all the pedantry that arose at first. Here Bjork materialized, scattering electric percussion somewhere far beyond the room, simultaneously disturbing with indecently textured bass. Here Sepultura gave power, drive and richness, both at low and high volumes.

Here the trembling in Brooke Sharkey's voice, imperceptibly for the listener, turns into an internal trembling, exciting. Academic evenness has given way to emotional balance, which underlies the now recognizable sound character of Radiotehnika acoustics. Holy capacitors, they did it!

conclusions

They succeeded. Moving from review to review, from acoustics to acoustics, the conventional gaze always looks for a highlight in the sound, which, like an unexpected snap of your fingers, involuntarily makes you turn in its direction and freeze.

In this case, this click occurred simultaneously with turning the volume control on the Cayin amplifier. After this, Radiotehnika Vita 2.06 were able to rekindle the flame, which almost went out.

ADVANTAGES

sound in general; tonal balance without distortion; dense, well-developed bass; the scope and accuracy of the imaginary scene; responsiveness

Cons

Nothing At this Price

OFFICIAL SITE

Radiotehnika Vita 2.06

PASSPORT DETAILS

Type: floor standing three-way speaker

Acoustic design: bass reflex

Body material and finishing: MDF, natural veneer

Internal partitions: 3 pcs

Speakers: LF - 168 mm, paper, 2 pcs; Midrange - 146 mm, paper; HF - 22 mm, silk

Frequency response: 40 Hz – 25 kHz (-3 dB)

Sensitivity: 86 dB

Nominal impedance: 4 ohms

Recommended amplifier power: 25 - 200 W

Continuous/peak power: 100/200 W

Dimensions: 200x1050x340 mm