Ascilab C8C Active Speaker Review

[Scrutable]

If you are having any trouble whatsoever with timeouts and you’re using a source with a 12v trigger I would not hesitate - get yourself 12v trigger power strip like an IoT Relay and be done with it. Use the remote or home automation to control power on the source and the speakers will just follow along.

Seems like this is a common problem with audio electronics at any price point.

 

[Henrik]

Can anyone comment on using the C8C as a nearfield monitor for mixing duties? Would it be a great choice for that application, even at a listening distance of approximately 1–1.5 meters?

I did a search here, but didn't find any conversations about mixing.

 

[Scrutable]

When I first got them and ran them through the paces, I tried up close first. They sound great in near field and for mixing you will appreciate their accuracy. The only limitation is these are medium size speakers and will take up some real estate.

 

[829]

Can anyone comment on using the C8C as a nearfield monitor for mixing duties? Would it be a great choice for that application, even at a listening distance of approximately 1–1.5 meters?

I did a search here, but didn't find any conversations about mixing.

The application (for mixing) does not matter. The C8C's performance is stellar, see the measurements. Unless you mix for dance music or do cinema post production, where you'd probably want more headroom (i.e., even less bass distortion at higher SPL).

The information you are looking for is to be found here - so >0.8 m listening distance would be fine.

 

[AudioJester]

At 1-1.5m listening distance my preference would probably be for 8361a over C8C. The C8C really come into their own at longer listening distances in my space.

Also, is there a timeline for availability of next batch of C8C?

 

[amirm]

Also, is there a timeline for availability of next batch of C8C?

No clarity yet. Original date was sometime in May but likely it is later now.

 

[829]

At 1-1.5m listening distance my preference would probably be for 8361a over C8C. The C8C really come into their own at longer listening distances in my space.

[...]

In terms of summing up of drivers for close-distance listening, point-source (and also small) monitors will of course have an advantage.

However, the Genelec 8361A cost more than double the price of the C8C. If cost doesn't matter to @Henrik and max. listening distance available is 1.5 m I agree, the 8361A would be an amazing option. Else, in a similar price range the C8C + BX8C could be more appealing.

Since AsciLab specified the min. for the C8C at around 0.8 m I would guess that this is enough distance for all the drivers to sum up. So I would not worry, if I had up to 1.5 m space available. Also, the farther away, the more room reflections will disturb imaging on the listening position and if a room is not treated properly at least for the early reflections, that might end up messing with the mixing decisions.

 

[AudioJester]

In terms of summing up of drivers for close-distance listening, point-source (and also small) monitors will of course have an advantage.

However, the Genelec 8361A cost more than double the price of the C8C. If cost doesn't matter to @Henrik and max. listening distance available is 1.5 m I agree, the 8361A would be an amazing option. Else, in a similar price range the C8C + BX8C could be more appealing.

Since AsciLab specified the min. for the C8C at around 0.8 m I would guess that this is enough distance for all the drivers to sum up. So I would not worry, if I had up to 1.5 m space available. Also, the farther away, the more room reflections will disturb imaging on the listening position and if a room is not treated properly at least for the early reflections, that might end up messing with the mixing decisions.

Just my personal experience, I have both C8C and 8361a. Sitting at my desk (1.2m)- 8361a, mid to far field - C8C. Iam not mixing though, although my son composes/mixes and prefers other speakers.
Agree on price, the C8C is an absolute bargain, blows Genelec out of the water - locally C8C was same price as 8331! Waiting on the BX8C, but thats no longer a desk system. I guess if you have the space and can position 1m in front of the desk - C8C/BX8C would be a great tool to mix with.

By the way - highly recommend GSonic by OCA convolution filters for C8C, I use them in Roon.

 

[829]

Now I am curious why your son would prefer other speakers @AudioJester and which ones these are.

The only reason I see for now to wait to buy the C8C _as a professional tool_ is to wait for @AsciLab to fix the software issues, as per the previous discussions here and following. Maybe or better, hopefully firmware V1.1 will do this (and no more quirks are being found when the BX8C arrive).

I have no issues with reliability of the chosen hardware parts, though. They come from well established companies. I guess also long-term support will be there from AsciLab; like I just recently had to exchange the tweeters of speakers from roughly 10 years ago which are not being sold anymore - but the manufacturer could deliver the spares within 2 days!

 

[dfuller]

Can anyone comment on using the C8C as a nearfield monitor for mixing duties? Would it be a great choice for that application, even at a listening distance of approximately 1–1.5 meters?

I did a search here, but didn't find any conversations about mixing.

It'd work well for that.

 

[Scrutable]

I have no doubt the sound is great for any application, but isn't the 8361A quite a bit bigger even than the C8C? I can't imagine such a big mixing speaker outside a professional-size studio.

EDIT: Never mind! After some looking around I see they are about the same size.

 

[Henrik]

isn't the 8361A quite a bit bigger even than the C8C?

Due to laziness, I asked AI to create an illustration with both of them, showing the size difference.
omg

 

[Scrutable]

Ha! Outstanding. Surprising it doesn’t have hands with seven fingers.

 

[TheKoC]

I'm sure it will work for mixing even at 1 meter, though for nearfield I would prefer something like 8341A's and one or two subwoofers.

 

[FrantzM]

Due to laziness, I asked AI to create an illustration with both of them, showing the size difference.
omg

View attachment 528178

This is inaccurate. The Genelec 8361 is actually a a bit taller at 24 inches, vs the C8C at 22 inches ...
And that is not That is NOT the picture of s C8C either ...

 

[Henrik]

And that is not That is NOT the picture of s C8C either ...

I know. That's why I find the image bizarre and funny.

 

[829]

I'm sure it will work for mixing even at 1 meter, though for nearfield I would prefer something like 8341A's and one or two subwoofers.

Another option, but this would cause unnecessary struggle to integrate the subwoofer(s) properly with the mains and is not worth the headache in most cases; unless the extra headroom from good subwoofer(s) is required.

Remember, with the C8C we received a full-range speaker and almost always this will provide better results. (Sure, its limit-by-design is max. SPL on the low end.)

 

[TheKoC]

I have them in the living room, but would find them hugely impractical für a nearfield desk setup. Proper sub integration is not so difficult these days (but requires additional tools of course), and gives you increased freedom to deal with room-modes.
But if someone wants large speakers staring at them from 1 meter distance, nothing wrong with that

 

[FrantzM]

Another option, but this would cause unnecessary struggle to integrate the subwoofer(s) properly with the mains and is not worth the headache in most cases; unless the extra headroom from good subwoofer(s) is required.

Remember, with the C8C we received a full-range speaker and almost always this will provide better results. (Sure, its limit-by-design is max. SPL on the low end.)

Disagreeing:; Better positions for soundstage and the rest of the frequency range say from 300 Hz to above , rarely coincide with best for bass in the room. OTOH multiple subwoofers when properly integrated , not an easy feat but doable (there are procedures and tools to achieve that) , provide much better results. This is measurable.

 

[Paul7777x]

Disagreeing:; Better positions for soundstage and the rest of the frequency range say from 300 Hz to above , rarely coincide with best for bass in the room. OTOH multiple subwoofers when properly integrated , not an easy feat but doable (there are procedures and tools to achieve that) , provide much better results. This is measurable.

Absolutely this.

It’s no longer difficult to integrate subs perfectly.

And once done you can’t go back to without them.