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This review first appeared in the August 2013 issue of hi-end hifi magazine fairaudio.de of Germany. You can also read this review of the nubert nuVero 3 in its original German version. We publish its English translation in a mutual syndication arrangement with the publishers. As is customary for our own reviews, the writer's signature at review's end shows an e-mail address should you have questions or wish to send feedback. All images contained in this review are the property of fairaudio or nubert - Ed.
Reviewer: Tobias Zoporowski
Sources: Transrotor Insigne with Rega RB 300 arm and Goldring 1042 GX cartridge, Lehmann Audio Black Cube Statement, modified Sansui T-80 tuner; Lua Appassionato und Yamaha CD-S 1000 CD players, modified Advance Acoustic MiP-Station iPod dock, Cambridge Audio DACmagic plus converter
Amplification: Symphonic Line RG 9 MK IV, Yamaha A-S 1000
Loudspeakers: Magnat Quantum 905, Magnat Quantum 603, Nubert nuVero 4
Cables: in-akustik loom with Eagle Cable and WireWorld alternates
Review component retail: €1.090/pr


Since its 2008 launch Nubert's top nuVero range has solidly established itself with their clientele. This can't be solely due to cost-effective bang for buck from direct sales as detractors would claim but 38 years of speaker design experience which Günther Nubert has poured without fiscal restraint into these models. It's something this industrious firm not only loves to tell us, it's something one actually believes even with their compact nuVero 3monitor. Not merely the tyke in the family, it even offers a feature none of the others do – selectable HF dipole operation.


Stereo purists could poo-poo the concept since they believe in predominantly direct sound without coloration of their own acoustics. Too many reflections render the sound diffuse and undifferentiated but too much direct sound can dry it out. Movie applications at home and in the commercial theater shift those priorities. Here sidewall-mounted dipole speakers deliberately enhance diffusive elements for more complete room coverage which more than one listener can enjoy equally. It's one reason why Nubert recommend this model for such use. So then why write it up? After all fairaudio isn't a surround-sound mag nor has any intentions of becoming one.

Proper weighting of direct vs. reflective sound also matters for pure stereo. With Nubert's selectable rear tweeter the nuVero can run as partial dipole or not. Your room and preferences decide. To better integrate this dipole compensation the rear tweeter has undergone minor modification over the front version and also a different mounting plate. If you bypass the rear-firing 26mm silk dome, this monitor works as like a perfectly conventional direct radiator. Those who fantasize that two paralleled tweeters ought to tear off your ears with sizzle is way off. Nubert's compensation circuitry doesn't increase raw HF amplitude. It merely reshuffles how it disperses.

Those who already own Nubert speakers or at least have read about 'em already know about those switches on the back. The 'reduce' toggle cuts signal below 80Hz to improve integration with a subwoofer whilst increasing dynamic range with minimized excursion requirements. The third switch controls HF balance between 'soft' (for lively rooms), 'neutral' (measurably the most linear and what I used) and 'brilliant' (for highly damped rooms or larger listening distances).

complete nuVero line
Bass is handled by a 15cm mid/woofer of noticeably generous surround. Nubert says this enables unusually hefty throw for a driver of this kind which relative to box size then makes for surprising reach. This driver breathes through a rear-firing port tube.