Audiophilepure

https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2025/2/10/audio-physic-step-loudspeaker

The Audio Physic Step at USD 3400/pr. is an extremely competent speaker that checks a lot of boxes yet prioritizes certain aspects of music reproduction. They excel at disappearing and creating a three-dimensional image of music. This creates a sense of discovery and excitement with every listen that does not get old. Supreme insight into the recording and associated upstream equipment suggests these speakers could scale with a system as it evolves. I have two regrets with this review: first that I did not get to pair the Step with a tube amp and second, simply that they will be returning to their distributor. A wonderful musical companion that I will miss dearly. Highly recommended. 

This ethos of meticulous attention to detail and exacting standards echoes throughout Norway’s cultural and technological achievements—from the intricate timberwork of soaring stave churches and the ingenious Viking longships built for both speed and resilience, to pioneering advancements in hydroelectric systems and petroleum innovations that lead global industries.

https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1941-hegel-music-systems-h190v-streaming-integrated-amplifier

These sonic traits were exemplified when I played “You Make Loving Fun,” from Fleetwood Mac’s classic Rumours on CD (Warner Bros. 3010-2), using the BDP-105. At first, I found the sound a bit too delicate and recessed using the RCA connections, but it jumped up a couple notches in emotion and realism when I used the balanced outputs of the Oppo connected to the Hegel’s balanced inputs. With the XLRs in action, I heard Mick Fleetwood’s hi-hats and Lindsey Buckingham’s guitar extend well beyond the outside edges of the speakers. With the H190v powering the Theva N°2s, the soundstage was centered at, or perhaps just slightly behind, the plane of the speakers, and the H190v highlighted the way certain instruments, like those hi-hats, seemed to shoot out into the room towards the listening position. Christine McVie’s vocals were rendered with power and a natural quality, and the same was true of the band’s massed vocals backing her. Overall, the amp seemed to leave vocals a bit recessed, hanging back a little further in the mix, but didn’t miss out on any sense of realism or detail.

The M8T carries the warmth enjoyed by many on the M8 but is getting more natural, resolving, dynamic, and richer in harmonics this time with actual tubes being implemented.

There is also a stronger sense of depth and clarity in all modes, and since there are 3 different modes with varying tonality, I will go through them one by one below.

The experience is quite new and refreshing as you can feel vastly different timbres on the different and synergize well with different pairings.

The two Sub-Modes when switched to Tube Mode are also very distinct in timbre. I believe any listening can instantly tell the difference as it is much more obvious than Class A/B switching.