Ascilab C8C Active Speaker Review

[pat355]

My main take is that Ascilab has optimised the response for flat listening window and PIR at the expense of on-axis response. This may or may not be correct for users.

Some guidance on this matter in the user guide may be beneficial.

what type of guidance are you referring to?

 

[hege]

Is there really no proper limiter set from factory? I think Hypex has some available, should be a no brainer to prevent accidents.

 

[Rja4000]

Distortion rising linearly means it’s mainly constructed of H2. Rising steeply means it hits the Xmax, H3 and above.

So as you see the distortion by specific level, C8C has very low H3 distortion though H2 is high. Fortunately H2 is rather benign than H3 or higher orders. It can be hidden easily by masking effect.

Thanks for your answer.

I'm afraid what you explain is that this measurement is still not a good representation of the distortion audibility ?
Would it be better correlated if using only odd harmonic distortions?

Coming back to my question:
Did you consider the Purifi driver for this speaker ? What were they reasons to favor the one you selected ?

 

[Matt_Holland]

View attachment 516089

Is the middle cabinet the C6C? Can’t remember if that’s stille in the roadmap?

 

[daniboun]

Well, D&D and Kii got some nice competition!

For sure checkout VS Kii

 

[Matt_Holland]

what type of guidance are you referring to?

Sorry, to expand on that comment, I’m suggesting if not already in the user guide may, Ascilab could provide guidance to users about applying EQ in the Hypex software to reduce the 4KHz on-axis peak depending on whether the listener hears the peak in their particular setup.

Amir felt it needed reducing and will be interesting to get other users’ feedback.

 

[goat76]

Vertically the dual woofers bring cancellations causing a very narrow directivity. So stay at tweeter axis:

Staying at the tweeter axis will certainly be problematic for most listening situations when adding the BX8C bass module, as the tweeter axis will end up at 108 centimeters above the floor.

I would say 90-95 centimeters is the average ear height when the listening position is a normal living room sofa. I think this should be taken into consideration when you review the combo in a few months.

AsciLab themselves said this wouldn’t be a problem, while you say the listener should make sure to stay at tweeter axis.

 

[amirm]

Staying at the tweeter axis will certainly be problematic for most listening situations when adding the BX8C bass module, as the tweeter axis will end up at 108 centimeters above the floor.

You can tilt the whole setup a few degrees forward to compensate. This is no different than large tower speakers with tweeter up top. If you sit far enough, it doesn't take much to get on axis, or near it.

 

[amirm]

AsciLab themselves said this wouldn’t be a problem, while you say the listener should make sure to stay at tweeter axis.

I haven't seen that. Regardless, just about every speaker I test has this requirement.

 

[pat355]

Sorry, to expand on that comment, I’m suggesting if not already in the user guide may, Ascilab could provide guidance to users about applying EQ in the Hypex software to reduce the 4KHz on-axis peak depending on whether the listener hears the peak in their particular setup.

Amir felt it needed reducing and will be interesting to get other users’ feedback.

thanks - I think AsciLab recommended on another thread a toe-out of 10° to account for this? granted, I checked the manual and it's not indicated there

 

[daniboun]

Is the middle cabinet the C6C? Can’t remember if that’s stille in the roadmap?

C5 centre at the middle of the picture if I am not wrong....

 

[kharan]

Is there a significance with the range you choose for the vertical axis? Some speakers you label 70-90 dB, others you lave 80-100 dB, with the 0ms line usually at the top of that range?

Staying at the tweeter axis will certainly be problematic for most listening situations when adding the BX8C bass module, as the tweeter axis will end up at 108 centimeters above the floor.

I would say 90-95 centimeters is the average ear height when the listening position is a normal living room sofa. I think this should be taken into consideration when you review the combo in a few months.

AsciLab themselves said this wouldn’t be a problem, while you say the listener should make sure to stay at tweeter axis.

At 2 m, with an 18 cm offset, you're within 5.1° of the acoustical axis, at 3 m, you're within 3.4°.

 

[amirm]

I'm afraid what you explain is that this measurement is still not a good representation of the distortion audibility ?

This is a very complex situation that doesn't lend itself to that type of analysis. Take frequencies from 20 to 30 Hz. They are mostly inaudible and tactile. Their second harmonics however, at 40 to 60 Hz, are audible as a result. They may interact with room modes and become amplified. This is why for now, I am using THD as it tells us the total non-linearity we are dealing with.

With respect to overall fidelity, higher order harmonics of frequencies above sub-bass can become important. But again, they won't likely apply to 20 to 30 Hz.

 

[Matt_Holland]

Staying at the tweeter axis will certainly be problematic for most listening situations when adding the BX8C bass module, as the tweeter axis will end up at 108 centimeters above the floor.

I would say 90-95 centimeters is the average ear height when the listening position is a normal living room sofa. I think this should be taken into consideration when you review the combo in a few months.

AsciLab themselves said this wouldn’t be a problem, while you say the listener should make sure to stay at tweeter axis.

I’d say you have about +/-20deg vertically. Take worse case scenario of 108cm tweeter height and 90cm ear height, you can be as close as 50cm to be within that angle range.

Listen at 3m distance and you’re only 3.4deg below tweeter axis.

 

[FrantzM]

Hi

WIll wonders, from this company, ever cease? This is worth saving for. A pair? Endgame for most audiophiles not living in billionaires abode. If and when additional money become available, add a pair of BX8C ... Epic audio system.
Not yet ready to scream : Take my Money!!

Wow!

 

[kharan]

In addition to my question above @amirm , any hiss or tweeter noise at close distance?

 

[delta76]

Most anticipated review of 2026?
Thanks Amir, it doesn’t disappoint.

My main take is that Ascilab has optimised the response for flat listening window and PIR at the expense of on-axis response. This may or may not be correct for users.

Some guidance on this matter in the user guide may be beneficial.

The most anticipated review for me is still the C8T. Might it get close to what the C8C delivers?

What a time for an audio enthusiast to be alive!

Nope, not even close. Ascilab is established now so we can be quite sure this will perform well. The question is how well.
The most anticipated is definitely Palmer Orbit II

 

[Matt_Holland]

Nope, not even close. Ascilab is established now so we can be quite sure this will perform well. The question is how well.
The most anticipated is definitely Palmer Orbit II

C8T has a very similar driver compliment to C8C and a big box. That’s all I’m sayin’

 

[Purité Audio]

Excellent review, excellent speaker, the C8C are easily amongst the finest designs I have heard.
Thank you Amir.
Keith

 

[kharan]

C8T has a very similar driver compliment to C8C and a big box. That’s all I’m sayin’

It really doesn't though?

It has a single mid-woofer which should mean higher mids distortion, but also none of the kinks that come with an MTM design. It also has entirely woofers, the woofers in the C8Cs are designed to work in a small box, and it seems like the price to pay is a suspension that isn't symmetric at high excursion (?) (could be the enclosure size too(?)). Whereas the woofers in the C8T have a more compliant suspension and can handle high excursion without much distortion.