All-rounder - Spirit Torino Mistral

A new era

A new era has just begun at Spirit Torino in Italy: they have launched their first Bluetooth headphones, the Spirit Torino Mistral. 

Me too?

Now you could say: "Yeah, sure. Like everyone else, they're now bringing Bluetooth headphones!"

The fact that the whole thing is not a "Me too" project becomes clear when you hold the Mistral in your hands or put it on. - This is serious hi-fi. If you know Andrea Ricci, boss and mastermind of Spirit Torino, a little, then you know that this man doesn't compromise on sound just to follow trends.

For at home and on the go

The Mistral is available in 2 versions: a version with Bluetooth and a “Pro” version with a premium cable. 

Standard copper cable for the Bluetooth version.

Professional cable for the "Pro" version.

The special feature: The Bluetooth version also comes with a high-quality cable, so the headphones can be used on the go with your smartphone or at home on an amplifier to exploit the full sound potential. - Hardly any other manufacturer offers this!

Here is the Bluetooth version: The headband is designed so that it can accommodate the ES100 MKII Bluetooth module. It sits between the headband and the headband and does not interfere with wearing.

The "Pro" version without Bluetooth. The headband is decorated with the Spirit Torino logo.

Quality you can touch

Customers can also choose between two color variants: brown mahogany wood or blue lacquered birch wood. By the way, the wood is real and not a cheap veneer like other manufacturers. The headband is in two parts and consists of a metal frame and a headrest made of genuine leather. - So there is definitely no saving on high-quality materials here! By the way, the Mistral is made entirely by hand in Turin.

 
Uncomplicated and frugal

By the way, the Spirit Torino Mistral is not sensitive about the source. It works with desktop headphone amplifiers as well as with portable
Hifi players (DAPs) and of course via Bluetooth with smartphones, tablets and computers. He is frugal when it comes to performance and plays well even with little power. 

Due to its low weight of around 300 grams, it is also comfortable to wear and also very suitable for on the go. 

No experiments

For the Bluetooth module, Spirit Torino relied on purchased technology and that's a good thing! The decision was made to concentrate entirely on the headphones and their sound - on what they can do. 

The Bluetooth module is the ES1000 MKII Bluetooth receiver from Earstudio, with which Spirit Torino has had very good experiences in the past. Due to its small size and design, it could be easily integrated into the headphones and supports 24bit, Bluetooth 5.0 and the LDAC codec, to name just a few important features.

But how does it sound now?

Quite simple: after real Spirit Torino headphones! 😅
Which means: It has the typical Spirit Torino sound signature, which is tailored to reproduce a live atmosphere. 

These are not “neutral” headphones, but they are not gimmicky either. The clear focus is on the vocal reproduction and the mids. Singers are presented with verve and fullness, just as if you were there live. 

The Mistral is not a "bass monster" and it's not supposed to be. That wouldn't be possible due to the physics of open headphones. However, a test with Hans Zimmer's soundtrack from Bladerunner 2049 shows that the necessary "foundation" is definitely there when you need it. "Godzilla" (film soundtrack) is also staged in an important way - it's just fun! No, it's not a blood-curdling radiant bass, but it's enough to be able to enjoy classical music and classic soundtracks.

As is typical of Spirit Torino, the overtones and treble seem somewhat tamed and reserved - but there is no need to miss out on details. 

The channel and instrument separation is very good and the Mistral paints a realistic stage.

Bluetooth or cable?

"To be or not to be?" - That is the question here. Or not, because when using Bluetooth you hardly have to compromise on sound. No joke!

The built-in ES100 MKII receiver does its job so well that I
was actually a bit shocked 😱, as I haven't had a very high opinion of Bluetooth headphones in terms of sound .   

The Mistral also performs brilliantly with Bluetooth. The sound changes quite a bit: the bass increases significantly and the ES100 MKII seems to be more focused on a “mass-friendly” tuning. But that's not a bad thing here, because fortunately the basic signature of the Mistral remains intact. 

Who is the Mistral for?

I think that lovers of acoustic music and voices in particular will be happy with the Mistral. I think these headphones are particularly suitable for the genres of singer/songwriters, jazz, blues, classical, soundtracks and unplugged music. 

The Mistral can also be used as a “fun machine” via Bluetooth. I really enjoyed Ice Cube, Wu Tang and M.O.P.! 🤞😁

Oh yes, rock and metal fans don't have to miss out either.🤘 The complex compositions of Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir were skilfully broken down by Mistral and Tenacious D becomes a real hit audiophile enjoyment! 

Conclusion

With the Mistral, Spirit Torino has managed the balancing act between flexibility or portability and audiophile virtues. These headphones can really be used anywhere - whether on the go or at home, making them suitable for pretty much anyone who likes Spirit Torino's unique sound signature. Professionals or purists choose the Pro version without Bluetooth, but with a better cable.

In any case, you get something special - tactile and acoustic - that stands out from the gray or black (plastic) mass of competitors!

The Spirit Torino Mistral is available now and Both versions can be tested at home free of charge.

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