Perlisten R7t Review

With the innovative DPC tweeter array and the expensive S series, Perlisten wanted to shake up the high-end loudspeaker scene – with success. Can the smaller R series also cause a sensation?

by Frédérick Heinz

With the DPC array, Perlisten has not only created a unique selling point for itself, but also attracted the attention of the international HiFi market. Previously, we were already able to convince ourselves of the qualities of the flagship S7t and the DPC array.

The $18,000 that are asked for a pair of S7t are quite a hefty price tag and probably a show stopper for many. That’s why we wanted to take a closer look at the top model of the somewhat more affordably priced R series, the R7t. But how well does Perlisten master the crucial discipline of downgrading, and how many virtues of the S7t remain in the R7t?

Silk instead of Beryllium

The DPC array is fundamentally the same in all models of the S and R series, but differs in the tweeters used and in size. Due to the housing being 10 centimeters narrower compared to the S7t, the diameter of the DPC array and thus the elliptical waveguide is also significantly smaller. Instead of three 28 mm tweeters made of beryllium or Textreme carbon fiber, the R7t uses three 26 mm models with silk domes.

Even in this configuration, the array works excellently. Together with the midrange and woofers, which are also bundled by the inverted dome used, the bundling effect works down to 500 Hertz. On the one hand, this reduces the proportion of indirect sound in a range where the human ear is particularly sensitive; on the other hand, a homogeneous frequency response is maintained even at greater listening distances.

Since the upper and lower tweeters are placed at the edge of the waveguide, Perlisten has generously rounded the side edges of the massive baffle to minimize the occurrence of interference at the cabinet edges.

Cellulose instead of Carbon

Like the dome tweeters of the DPC array, the midrange and woofers are also proprietary developments and are manufactured by Perlisten itself according to strict specifications. The diaphragm materials used were also designed by their own development department for both the S and R series: Instead of the TPCD (Thin-ply Carbon Diaphragm) Textreme membrane made of thin carbon fiber layers used in the S series, the R series uses a diaphragm made of the HPF (Hybrid Pulp Formulation) material mix.

This is a mixture of various plant fibers, namely cellulose, including hardwood, bamboo, and wool. According to Perlisten, they tinkered for two years to find the optimal ratio between low mass and high stiffness. With pole core holes, generously vented centering spiders, and flow-optimized ribs and drives, the development team put a stop to compression effects and the associated distortions.

From the quietest whisper to the thunderclap, every musical detail is reproduced precisely.

The total of four long-throw drivers operate in a generously dimensioned common volume and, thanks to bass reflex support, extend deep into the bass range.

Precision instead of “Good Enough”

Like the flagship, the R7t is characterized by high level stability, low distortion, and impressive precision. There are concessions compared to the top model in terms of deep bass, efficiency, maximum volume, and resolution, although the differences are rather small. All Perlisten loudspeakers are designed for “normal,” acoustically non-optimized living spaces. The strong bundling significantly reduces the negative influences of hard surfaces such as tiled floors or bare ceilings on the one hand, but on the other hand requires precise placement.

Therefore, you should take a lot of time for the careful alignment of the R7t unless the specialist dealer takes care of it. This effort is rewarded with a very precise, direct, and dynamic sound. Overall, the loudspeaker was very neutral with minimal emphasis in the kick-bass range and tended to be tuned analytically. In the listening test, the R7t followed the music with nimble agility and naturalness. The R7t doesn’t just hint at the finest details but reproduces them clearly and distinctly. This precision and directness was never lost across the entire frequency range at high levels, explosive dynamic leaps, and large listening distances.