AsciLab A6B Review

[Purité Audio]

Looks like the A6B may be back on the table.

AsciLab @ Purité Audio

I am sure Ascilab will confirm but due to popular demand the passive A6B ( Purifi woofer and alumina-ceramic tweeter ) is back in the Ascilab line up. Keith

www.audiosciencereview.com

June!
Keith

 

[Lao Lu]

Wow! Excellent engineering!!

There was a picture that led me to this post; is that dual-woofer bass unit the 8" SB poly subwoofer? Sealed?

 

[Purité Audio]

There are two cardioid sub bass units in development,

https://www.puriteaudio.co.uk/_files/ugd/5cac3a_dd3effcb0da34b038138cf5597f37d25.pdf

the BX8C/BX10C which mate with the C6C/S6C.
Keith

 

[thewas]

Erins video review is now online, here is also a summary of it:

Summary (with timestamps):​

• (00:00–01:36)
  Price & Value:
  The AsciLab C6B bookshelf speakers cost ~$935 plus ~$200 shipping to the U.S., totaling ~$1,135 per pair. Despite the price, they outperform speakers costing 2–5x more and are declared the best value the reviewer has found.
• (00:21–01:17)
  Build & Specs:
  • 2-way passive bookshelf speaker with rear passive radiator
  • 1" aluminum ceramic dome tweeter, 6" aluminum ceramic cone woofer
  • Crossover at 1.1 kHz, 85 dB sensitivity, 4-ohm nominal impedance
  • Dimensions: 15.7" x 8" x 10.4", 8.4 kg each
  • Comes in black, white, and optional gloss finish (adds $200)
• (02:00–02:50)
  Sound Quality:
  Extremely neutral timbre with great linearity; handles all genres well. Only weaknesses: limited SPL and low-end output—requires a subwoofer for deep bass.
• (02:50–05:30)
  Soundstage & Imaging:
  Exceptionally wide soundstage with consistent imaging. Unique in maintaining horizontal width and focus even when toed in/out. Delivers outstanding depth layering and vertical radiation uncommon in this price class.
• (05:54–07:22)
  Bass & Subwoofer Need:
  Rolls off at ~50 Hz in-room. Adequate for most, but subwoofer recommended for deeper extension or higher SPL.
• (07:52–09:32)
  Comparison with Other Speakers:
  • Audio First Fidelia Kit: Slightly fuller lower midrange; C6B has more “air” in highs. Both are very close overall.
  • KEF Conerto Q Meta: Darker and less detailed than both the AsciLab and Audio First.
    The AsciLab strikes a better tonal balance with high resolution without excessive brightness.
• (10:22–12:52)
  Measurements & Performance:
  • Flat, smooth frequency response with intentional top-end roll-off to match dispersion
  • Excellent directivity, early reflections, and burst decay
  • Distortion is low through mids/highs, but higher in bass when pushed
• (13:44–14:42)
  Power Requirements:
  Demands a solid amplifier due to low impedance dips (as low as 2.6 ohms, EPDR 1.2 ohm). At least 100W @ 4 ohms recommended.
• (15:04–15:20)
  Final Verdict:
  At $1,135, the AsciLab C6B is a “gamechanger” in performance and value—currently the best speaker in its price class according to the reviewer.
• (15:35)
  Support & Extras:
  Encourages viewers to engage with the channel, join Patreon for behind-the-scenes content, and use affiliate links for support.
  

 

[Ktacos]

Looks great. Been spending a lot of time selling off DIY parts and tools because it's just not worth it anymore and this speaker is just another nail in the coffin for me.

 

[JohnnyNG]

Erins video review is now online, here is also a summary of it:

Summary (with timestamps):​

• (00:00–01:36)
  Price & Value:
  The AsciLab C6B bookshelf speakers cost ~$935 plus ~$200 shipping to the U.S., totaling ~$1,135 per pair. Despite the price, they outperform speakers costing 2–5x more and are declared the best value the reviewer has found.
• (00:21–01:17)
  Build & Specs:
  • 2-way passive bookshelf speaker with rear passive radiator
  • 1" aluminum ceramic dome tweeter, 6" aluminum ceramic cone woofer
  • Crossover at 1.1 kHz, 85 dB sensitivity, 4-ohm nominal impedance
  • Dimensions: 15.7" x 8" x 10.4", 8.4 kg each
  • Comes in black, white, and optional gloss finish (adds $200)
• (02:00–02:50)
  Sound Quality:
  Extremely neutral timbre with great linearity; handles all genres well. Only weaknesses: limited SPL and low-end output—requires a subwoofer for deep bass.
• (02:50–05:30)
  Soundstage & Imaging:
  Exceptionally wide soundstage with consistent imaging. Unique in maintaining horizontal width and focus even when toed in/out. Delivers outstanding depth layering and vertical radiation uncommon in this price class.
• (05:54–07:22)
  Bass & Subwoofer Need:
  Rolls off at ~50 Hz in-room. Adequate for most, but subwoofer recommended for deeper extension or higher SPL.
• (07:52–09:32)
  Comparison with Other Speakers:
  • Audio First Fidelia Kit: Slightly fuller lower midrange; C6B has more “air” in highs. Both are very close overall.
  • KEF Conerto Q Meta: Darker and less detailed than both the AsciLab and Audio First.
    The AsciLab strikes a better tonal balance with high resolution without excessive brightness.
• (10:22–12:52)
  Measurements & Performance:
  • Flat, smooth frequency response with intentional top-end roll-off to match dispersion
  • Excellent directivity, early reflections, and burst decay
  • Distortion is low through mids/highs, but higher in bass when pushed
• (13:44–14:42)
  Power Requirements:
  Demands a solid amplifier due to low impedance dips (as low as 2.6 ohms, EPDR 1.2 ohm). At least 100W @ 4 ohms recommended.
• (15:04–15:20)
  Final Verdict:
  At $1,135, the AsciLab C6B is a “gamechanger” in performance and value—currently the best speaker in its price class according to the reviewer.
• (15:35)
  Support & Extras:
  Encourages viewers to engage with the channel, join Patreon for behind-the-scenes content, and use affiliate links for support.

Awesome review. Note the C6B is a different speaker than the A6B reviewed in this thread.

 

[kemmler3D]

"Game changer... putting every other brand on notice" ... @AsciLab maybe print that quote on the retail box

Honestly, it's too bad these speakers are so good, because I have no place in my house for more speakers.

I guess I will just start saving up for the S6C and replace my LS60s someday...

 

[Tachyon88]

"Game changer... putting every other brand on notice" ... @AsciLab maybe print that quote on the retail box

Honestly, it's too bad these speakers are so good, because I have no place in my house for more speakers.

I guess I will just start saving up for the S6C and replace my LS60s someday...

Are the S6C going to be a MTM speaker that you put on top of one of their bass modules ? I'm confused how its going to be implemented -
Two 6.5” Alu Purifi Woofers
Two 8“ Alu Purifi Woofers
1.3” Alu Purifi Tweeter
Purifi and Hypex Amplifier
Cardioid down to 80Hz
MSRP $11,250 - do they list prices in pairs or each ?

 

[Lawrence of Suburbia]

I wonder if my 70-watt Naim Nait XS2 would be up to the job of driving these. I listen in a medium-sized room (18' x 15', approximately) and at moderate volumes (say, 75-80 dB) ..

 

[kemmler3D]

Are the S6C going to be a MTM speaker that you put on top of one of their bass modules ? I'm confused how its going to be implemented -
Two 6.5” Alu Purifi Woofers
Two 8“ Alu Purifi Woofers
1.3” Alu Purifi Tweeter
Purifi and Hypex Amplifier
Cardioid down to 80Hz
MSRP $11,250 - do they list prices in pairs or each ?

Let's hope, pairs...

 

[Luvchampagne]

It's pairs 100%

 

[Bruce Morgen]

I noticed the word "passive" on the back panel -- does that imply that an active (and presumably bi-amped with DSP-based crossover) version is in the works? Just curious....

 

[JohnnyNG]

I noticed the word "passive" on the back panel -- does that imply that an active (and presumably bi-amped with DSP-based crossover) version is in the works? Just curious....

Looks like it.

AsciLab speakers are about to launch

Seems like these might be the next "end game" speakers to come out. Erin's review should hopefully be out soon for the C6B. I hope we get more reviews of Ascilab speakers from Erin and Amirm! I'm going to see how they do. What about S6C? ;) After a little more hindsight, I think they will be...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Bruce Morgen]

Looks like it.

AsciLab speakers are about to launch

Seems like these might be the next "end game" speakers to come out. Erin's review should hopefully be out soon for the C6B. I hope we get more reviews of Ascilab speakers from Erin and Amirm! I'm going to see how they do. What about S6C? ;) After a little more hindsight, I think they will be...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Thanks -- not that I really need (or could actually afford) them, but it's nice to such already exceptional products continue to develop. Not that their crossover design isn't great -- it's clearly very sophisticated and highly effective -- but there's nothing like getting that job done via DSP before power amplification for precision and adjustability. It will be interesting to see which direction they take with the electronics -- custom boards designed in-house for everything (except the PSU) a la Kali or an off-the-shelf two-channel amp board and PSU fed by an in-house DSP board? Will TPA3255s in PBTL mode be adequate or will they go with a pricier Class D solution? Still curious...

 

[JohnnyNG]

Thanks -- not that I really need (or could actually afford) them, but it's nice to such already exceptional products continue to develop. Not that their crossover design isn't great -- it's clearly very sophisticated and highly effective -- but there's nothing like getting that job done via DSP before power amplification for precision and adjustability. It will be interesting to see which direction they take with the electronics -- custom boards designed in-house for everything (except the PSU) a la Kali or an off-the-shelf two-channel amp board and PSU fed by an in-house DSP board? Will TPA3255s in PBTL mode be adequate or will they go with a pricier Class D solution? Still curious...

From that main thread it seems they're using Hypex Fusion plate amps, at least to start.

 

[DanTheMan]

Anyone want to send this to GR Research for an upgrade?

 

[Bruce Morgen]

Anyone want to send this to GR Research for an upgrade?

Danny wouldn't do it, because its crossover is not only well designed -- and may well be too sophisticated a circuit for him to understand -- but AsciLab chose premium grade components that he can't get away with labeling as "cheese."

 

[tw 2022]

Anyone want to send this to GR Research for an upgrade?

Lol....

 

[Noob]

Earthworks measurement microphones are shipped with calibration data and a frequency response chart for each microphone specifically for things like this. . . Once the compensations are inputted to the measurement software, everyone should be getting the same results within an extremely small margin of error.

Are people out here just raw dogging precision measurement tools without calibration? Chaos!

Anyway, thanks for these measurements. Your work is much appreciated.

 

[SDC]

Earthworks measurement microphones are shipped with calibration data and a frequency response chart for each microphone specifically for things like this. . . Once the compensations are inputted to the measurement software, everyone should be getting the same results within an extremely small margin of error.

Are people out here just raw dogging precision measurement tools without calibration? Chaos!

Anyway, thanks for these measurements. Your work is much appreciated.

This is that 'small margin of error'.

He just corrected that small margin to basically nothing.

Don't get me wrong, EW makes the best microphones. But one time calibration just don't go forever.