Ascilab C6B & F6B Launched – Ask Questions, Share Feedback

[TurtlePaul]

You may very well be correct. Using the excellent comparison tool at spinorama.org, I can see that the C6B doesn't give up much at all in the low frequencies to the F35. There's only a 1dB difference at 80Hz or thereabouts. Across the frequency range, The C6B is smoother with less deviation from linear. Can't wait to measure and hear them!

Erin measured both. The main thing that you are giving up with the C6B vs. the F35 is that the F35 has distortion of -35 dB at ~45 hz and above when driven to 96 dB and the F35 has ~4.5 dB more sensitivity. Both characteristics of a 2.5-way tower over a bookshelf speaker. e.g., if you play very loud you may want to the F35 because a pair of them has six woofers.

 

[90sNintendoKid]

I am planning on buying some F6Bs in at least a 5.2.4 home cinema configuration. Maybe 3 C6B for the LCR with the center channel in the normal speaker orientation. I cannot wait!

 

[bergfe]

@AsciLab What are the most important audible differences between the F6B and the C6B? I find it hard to judge from the measurements. Thanks!

+1. Is there any reason to get the C6B over the F6B if I plan to pair it with a subwoofer?

 

[AsciLab]

+1. Is there any reason to get the C6B over the F6B if I plan to pair it with a subwoofer?

C6B has lower distortion over midrange. If you integrate a subwoofer below 80Hz, you will get lower MD with C6B. Try to compare our official datas.

 

[TurtlePaul]

C6B has lower distortion over midrange. If you integrate a subwoofer below 80Hz, you will get lower MD with C6B. Try to compare our official datas.

It is funny to me that the in the electronics section of this site a 20 dB decrease in distortion is a huge deal but it needs to be pointed out in the speaker forum.

The F6B has -35 to 40 dB distortion in the midrange while Erin measured the C6B distortion in the range of -50 to 60 dB above 300 hz.

Those ceramic SB drivers are nice. They have very stiff ceramic coated aluminum cones, copper shorting rings, non-conductive voice coil formers, stiffer metal baskets, a bigger motor. The ceramic driver is better in every way.

The woofers in the various AsciLab speakers are available on Madisound (or a version of them). The SB fiber/paper woofer in the F6B is $38, the ceramic/aluminum in the C6B is $105 and the Purifi driver in the A6B is $470.

The parts as you go up the AsciLab line of speakers are that much better.

 

[CT007]

Here's my unboxing video of C6B

 

[Purité Audio]

They never gave me a can of coke with mine!
Keith

 

[DearSX]

Here's my unboxing video of C6B

Congrats!

 

[DearSX]

C6B has lower distortion over midrange. If you integrate a subwoofer below 80Hz, you will get lower MD with C6B. Try to compare our official data.

What do you recommend for a crossover point? slope? specially close to rear wall (1ft) and side wall (2ft)?

 

[Endibol]

It is funny to me that the in the electronics section of this site a 20 dB decrease in distortion is a huge deal but it needs to be pointed out in the speaker forum

You are right, on this forum everybody (including myself) are making a fuzz about distortion of DACs (-120 dB) and amplifiers (-100 dB), ignoring the fact that even the best loudspeakers (-40 dB) are orders of magnitude worse and thus dominating the sound quality.
Why do we do this? Why not just pushing for better loudspeakers?

 

[amirm]

You are right, on this forum everybody (including myself) are making a fuzz about distortion of DACs (-120 dB) and amplifiers (-100 dB), ignoring the fact that even the best loudspeakers (-40 dB) are orders of magnitude worse and thus dominating the sound quality.
Why do we do this? Why not just pushing for better loudspeakers?

The issue with electronics is that with the same components, one can have a SINAD of 85 dB and another 115+. As such, it is a disservice to owners to not do a good job and at no cost to customers, produce superbly transparent gear. Of note, threshold of hearing is about -115 dB from reference. So if you want a dead silent system -- which a speaker can represent if you don't send it noise -- you should strive for SINAD > 115. Studio monitors violate this and so routinely have audible hiss.

 

[Petrushka]

The issue with electronics is that with the same components, one can have a SINAD of 85 dB and another 115+. As such, it is a disservice to owners to not do a good job and at no cost to customers, produce superbly transparent gear. Of note, threshold of hearing is about -115 dB from reference. So if you want a dead silent system -- which a speaker can represent if you don't send it noise -- you should strive for SINAD > 115. Studio monitors violate this and so routinely have audible hiss.

Same components, or components having the same nominal value.

When you say component, are you referring to things like resistors or chips?

I realize from your reviews that some very inexpensive pieces of gear have impressive specs.

 

[SCPB1967]

Hi guys,
I've been watching AsciLABs development with great interest over the past year or so & courtesy of ASR/Amir have been extremely impressed with not only the raw data but the companies willingness to engage & answer our never ending questions.

Although I frequent the forums here quite a lot I don't really post stuff but I feel I should give a bit back considering how much I've learnt over the past six years or so with regard to measurements & our perception.

I'd already decided I'd give them a go once Amir &/or Erin confirmed the excellent measurements which they now have.

Reading AsciLAB related posts on ASR I was also aware of the enthusiasm & support Keith @ Purite Audio seemed to be offering this new brand.
After a very pleasant & informative phone call to Keith I had a pair of C6B on their way.
Shipped Friday, arrived Saturday, well packaged, look & feel more like some kind of composite rather than good old MDF; genuinely impressed for the money.

For the last two years I've been a very happy owner of Wharfedales Linton 85th.
My system is very simple; Topping E70 DAC, Topping LA90D amplifier & the speakers. Source is CD via toslink & LDAC from phone using Tidal.
I primarily listen to live tracks/albums.
Traditional type UK living room & I sit 2 metres from the speakers.
I'm now 58 & cherish my hearing so volumes are 77-78dB max.

To my ears the Wharfedales are a really well balanced speaker & I can & do listen for hours each day.
I'm not able to have the front baffle of the speakers more than 60cm or so from the wall behind them which when combined with a couple of room modes at 60Hz & 80Hz can add a touch too much energy there but far from extreme.
Other than that the only other thing I'd probably ask would be a bit more transparency really but lower distortion generally comes at a cost.

Comparing the C6B & the 85th at Spinorama gives near identical in room response & bass extension but the AsciLAB C6B has much better horizontal & vertical dispersion courtesy of its excellent design, waveguide & crossover.

The C6B needed 1.5dB more volume using pink noise to level match with the Lintons.
The C6B is tonally very similar but smoother overall, it's more open/transparent & has more extension at the top. The Lintons do have a bit more energy 100Hz-200Hz so add a smidge more ’colour’ to lower vocals.
The bass was a very pleasant suprise in comparison to the Lintons though.
The passive radiator definitely doesn't excite the 60Hz & 80Hz room modes as much.
As a consequence the bass seems tighter & better defined & is most certainly going as low too.
The best difference for me though, considering my fondness for live music, is the spacial presentation.
Left to right images are more solid/together & the illusion of depth & space is really great.
Soundstage is wide when it's in the recording.
I've only really experienced this kind of spacial thing at a friend's who uses Dutch & Dutch 8Cs & also a pair of Magnepan LRS (but don't move your head).
I'm so pleased with what I'm hearing as I thought pulling all these attributes together was, money wise, out of my reach.
I genuinely think this companies science based approach & excellently engineered speakers will, given a far chance, upend our value for money expectations & disrupt the loud speaker market in the best possible way.

Apologies for a rather long post.
Do please ask &/or correct anything.
And can I just say a big thank you to all at ASR,
Amir & Erin for the ongoing efforts.

 

[Salt]

You may congratulate Keith as well, not?

 

[SCPB1967]

Forgive me if I'm missing something Salt.
Keith has been nothing but great.

 

[amirm]

Same components, or components having the same nominal value.

When you say component, are you referring to things like resistors or chips?

I realize from your reviews that some very inexpensive pieces of gear have impressive specs.

We are off topic but answer is everything. Even simple PCB traces can impact performance. It takes fair amount of skill, and dedication to measurements to remove all traces of interference as to expose the best performance the DAC chip is capable of.

 

[AsciLab]

What do you recommend for a crossover point? slope? specially close to rear wall (1ft) and side wall (2ft)?

Distance from near wall can be varied by situation and acoustic environment. Normally I like set the speaker close to rear wall. 1~2ft is great with some of absorber behind to prevent to lose some midbass.
Side wall, hmm it is rather related with the width of the two speakers. I can’t recommend specific distance.

 

[DearSX]

Distance from near wall can be varied by situation and acoustic environment. Normally I like set the speaker close to rear wall. 1~2ft is great with some of absorber behind to prevent to lose some midbass.
Side wall, hmm it is rather related with the width of the two speakers. I can’t recommend specific distance.

Thanks

 

[MarkS]

FYI to anyone planning to buy direct from Ascilab, there's now a backlog of orders on the C6B.

I ordered a pair two days ago, and received this email: "Currently, we are experiencing a high volume of orders, which has caused a delay in shipments. Your ordered products are expected to ship in early July."

 

[Endibol]

The issue with electronics is that with the same components, one can have a SINAD of 85 dB and another 115+. As such, it is a disservice to owners to not do a good job and at no cost to customers, produce superbly transparent gear. Of note, threshold of hearing is about -115 dB from reference. So if you want a dead silent system -- which a speaker can represent if you don't send it noise -- you should strive for SINAD > 115. Studio monitors violate this and so routinely have audible hiss.

Yes of course Amir, I almost forgot that thanks to your great work over the years the quality/price ratio for electronics has improved tremendously! Thank you for that!