Diptyque Reference MKII

The Diptyque Reference MKII represents the pinnacle of planar magnetic loudspeaker engineering. Designed for listeners who demand visceral, room-filling sound with breathtaking transparency, the Reference MKII takes everything that made the original a reference-level loudspeaker and upgrades it with new innovations in acoustic performance, materials, and modular construction. This isn’t just Diptyque’s best loudspeaker. It’s a bold statement about what is possible when design, craftsmanship, and audio purity converge.

Key Features

• Three-way planar magnetic design: Bass, midrange, and super tweeter drivers are built using Diptyque’s proprietary isodynamic ribbon architecture for natural coherence and lifelike dynamics
• Exclusive Crossed Push-Pull bass system: Each bass cell is driven by two independent windings (vertical and horizontal), ensuring the 22μm Mylar membrane vibrates with precision and power, yielding deep, distortion-free bass
• Dedicated 20mm midrange ribbon: Covers 600 to 7000 Hz with clarity and control, resulting in rich tonality and fast transients across the critical vocal range
• 8mm pure aluminum super tweeter: Extends treble response out to 40kHz, adding shimmer and dimensionality without ever sounding etched
• Composite internal architecture: The MKII upgrade introduces composite membrane supports and modular design principles for enhanced rigidity and acoustic precision
• Aeronautical-grade wiring: New internal wiring and connectors, sourced from the aerospace industry, reduce signal loss and improve long-term durability
• Optimized rear grille perforations: Fine-tuned for better damping control and backwave diffusion, adding depth to the soundstage
• Upgrade path from MK1: Owners of the original Reference can upgrade to MKII or the MK1 EVO platform to benefit from the new architecture
• Tailored aesthetics with custom colors: Choose from standard finishes or over 160 RAL fine-texture custom colors with leather trim options in black, white, caramel, or chocolate
• Hand-made in France: Painstaking, meticulous, and hand-crafted in France one by one.

Acoustic Innovation, Reimagined

The core of the Reference MKII’s performance lies in its evolved isodynamic design. Each low-frequency driver features Diptyque’s patented Crossed Push-Pull ribbon configuration, a system of hundreds of square motors precisely activating a stretched Mylar membrane. This unique structure not only extends bass deeper than traditional panels, but also does so with exceptional control and linearity.

Mid and high frequencies are handled by dedicated ribbon elements: a new 20mm isodynamic midrange tape that handles the heart of the music, and an 8mm pure aluminum super tweeter that reaches 40kHz. These drivers work in seamless harmony, producing an enormous soundstage with pinpoint imaging and zero coloration.

MKII Enhancements for 2025

Diptyque’s relentless pursuit of performance has led to a number of significant upgrades in the new Reference MKII:

• Modular internal structure with composite membrane supports
• Enhanced crossover with upgraded filtering components
• New internal wiring and aeronautical-grade connectors
• Refined rear grille perforations for superior damping and acoustic control
• Updated foot and upper panel dimensions for improved mechanical grounding

Elegant Finishes and Custom Colors

Diptyque speakers are available in over 160 fine-texture RAL colors from the Axalta Alesta® AP collection. These custom finishes offer a matte, architectural look with excellent scratch resistance and visual uniformity. The finish helps minimize surface imperfections while giving the speaker a tailored, design-forward aesthetic.

If you would like to order your Diptyque speaker in a custom color, contact us directly. We’ll walk you through the available RAL options, explain finish characteristics, and help you match your speakers to your space.

Note: Custom finishes may add lead time and incur an additional charge depending on the selection. 

Click here for a full list of the custom color options available.

Leather Trim Options

For models with leather-wrapped trim sections, choose from four refined color options:

White

Caramel

Chocolate

Black

Featured Press on the Diptyque Reference Speakers

When Stereophile set out to review the Diptyque Reference loudspeakers, it wasn't just a delivery truck that showed up. It was Mike Hoatson — owner of The Listening Room, third-generation audio expert, and resident planar evangelist. Mike didn’t just drop them off. He installed them himself, fine-tuned the setup, and even introduced the reviewer to Renaissance-era Christmas music. The result? A listening session unlike any other, and a glowing review that speaks to both the gear and the human experience behind it.

“The Diptyques often reminded me of the MartinLogan Odyssey electrostats that were my reference speakers from 1999 through 2007, but with more muscle and far better bass-midrange integration. Panel speakers achieve a kind of spatial and timbral realism that box speakers rarely manage, and the Diptyque References do it without bombast or exaggeration. Their sound is clear, unforced, and enveloping — not dramatic in the usual hi-fi sense, but quietly, convincingly human. If they show up near you, go listen.”

— Rogier van Bakel, Stereophile

Read the full article at Stereophile

The Listening Room Difference

At this level of investment, details matter. That is why for customers in the continental United States, Mike, our third-generation owner, personally delivers and installs the Reference MKII. He’ll optimize placement, dial in the system, and make sure your first listen is unforgettable. No call centers, no middlemen, just real support from someone who knows the gear inside and out.

This is what makes The Listening Room different. We are not just another online dealer. We are a real hi-fi shop with a history, a doorbell, and the best hand delivery in the business.

Specifications