Teufel Motiv 3 review

We like this Teufel system for its undoubted ability, but we'd like it to be a tad cheaper as well Tested at £460.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

The Motiv 3 can’t quite claim the top spot, but is another solid showing from a likeable manufacturer

Pros

  • +

    Unique looks and magnetic stand

  • +

    great cohesion and scale

  • +

    punch and detail from the satellites

Cons

  • -

    Sub could be a touch more taut and attacking

  • -

    wall brackets cost extra

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

Teufel is an easy company to like. The German manufacturer offers its vast range exclusively through its own website as a means of keeping prices low; it provides an eight-week returns policy (and covers the cost of return shipping); and it guarantees all speakers for 12 years.

But for all that, a quick look in our Buyer's Guide shows that Teufel is still awaiting its first five-star verdict. And as good as this Motiv 3 package is, it's a case of close but no cigar.

The £460 price we've quoted includes delivery to the UK, and the box that arrives contains five identical orb-shaped speakers, magnetic pedestal stands for them to sit on, and the smallest subwoofer we've seen for a while.

The unique styling of the satellites makes them appealing to look at, and even though handling them does reveal their budget materials, they seem well made.

Each of the satellites has an 8cm full-range driver capable of reaching down to 120Hz (30Hz lower than close rivals), and this contributes to a seamless tonal crossover with the subwoofer.

Bass lacks tautness
It's a little surprising then that the bass should stick out a touch when playing John Legend's Live at the House of Blues Blu-ray.

The problem is that while there's no tonal gap, the sub can't quite match the tautness and rhythm of the midrange and treble from the satellites.

It's not far behind, and we've heard much worse in this regard, but it is enough for the bassline to sound a little soft and tardy.

Huge, enveloping explosions
Top of the list is that the Teufel system offers a most cohesive three-dimensional soundfield, and reproduces the action of the desert finale in Transformers 2 with a brilliant sense of scale.

Explosions are huge and enveloping; bullets fly around the room accurately and without gaps; and the overall soundstage is one that's deeper and more three-dimensional than that of its peers.

This is the kind of blockbuster scale previously unavailable from style speaker packages costing under £500.

We're once again impressed with the punch of the satellites, too, with every gunshot being conveyed with sudden and precise power.

However, that slight lack of attack and precision from the subwoofer means there's a smidgen of solidity and detail missing, after the initial transient hit of the most punchy sound effects.

In the end, if the Teufel was slightly more affordable, we'd likely be granting it that elusive fifth star, thanks mostly to its cohesion and scale.

But as it's a comparably expensive system, those slight flaws mean that four stars will have to do.

See all our style speaker Best Buys

Follow whathifi.com on Twitter

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.


Read more about how we test