Ascilab C8C Active Speaker Review

[AudioJester]

I consider the C8C a full range speaker in my room, plenty of output at 20Hz, in fact I have to trim some of it.

I also dont consider the BX8C a subwoofer. I may add subs if I feel the need, but dont so far with just C8C

Had to order the BX8C as otherwise there would always be a lingering doubt. Having now spent lots of time with the C8C the doubt is what the BX8C will add lol

Got an email yesterday - another short delay with BX8C shipping

 

[829]

[...] Having now spent lots of time with the C8C the doubt is what the BX8C will add lol

I think it‘ll be worth it especially if you push the C8C to their boundaries; like with organ music or similarly demanding bass content.

The BX8C comes with three (cardioid) presets, 100 / 50 / 35 Hz, and the improvements should be quite audible. C8C alone is cardioid until 80 Hz, if I recall correctly.

 

[ry_]

@AudioJester Do you have a pic of your setup with the C8Cs? I'd love to see it!

 

[Luvchampagne]

I consider the C8C a full range speaker in my room, plenty of output at 20Hz, in fact I have to trim some of it.

I also dont consider the BX8C a subwoofer. I may add subs if I feel the need, but dont so far with just C8C

Had to order the BX8C as otherwise there would always be a lingering doubt. Having now spent lots of time with the C8C the doubt is what the BX8C will add lol

Got an email yesterday - another short delay with BX8C shipping

Excellent choice. You will definitely notice a big difference. Have heard with bx8c vs. Without multiple times. The scale and depth of sound is quite noticeable.

 

[amirm]

That doesn’t really make sense to me: sitting in an armchair or on a sofa – and I’m not short – I can barely reach 108 cm “ear height”.

Just a few degrees of tilt will aim the tweeter at your ear if you sit far enough.

 

[sqrl]

Just a few degrees of tilt will aim the tweeter at your ear if you sit far enough.

I'll work my persuasive powers on putting wooden blocks under the sofa legs if it becomes necessary.

 

[traind]

Excellent choice. You will definitely notice a big difference. Have heard with bx8c vs. Without multiple times. The scale and depth of sound is quite noticeable.

Can you elaborate a bit more? Did you hear them in a large room or something mid size or smaller? Scale and depth is enhanced in only bass frequencies or does that difference extend to mid range by offloading the C8C?

I have the C8Cs and like others, it seems to be a pretty complete solution as is in a 12 x 18 room.

 

[Luvchampagne]

The AsciLab BX8C is an active, 2-way DSP-controlled bass extension module designed to pair with C8C speakers, featuring four 8-inch aluminum long-throw subwoofers. It extends cardioid directivity down to 50Hz and system response to 28Hz (-3dB), adding +9dB headroom in the 20-200Hz range while reducing IMD, with 2x250W amplification. [1, 2, 3]
Key Specifications of the BX8C Active Subwoofer (Pair):

• Driver Configuration: 4 x 8" Aluminum long-throw subwoofers per unit.
• Design: Active DSP Cardioïd Bass Extension Module.
• Amplification: 2 x 250W (per unit).
• Frequency Response: Extends system low-frequency response down to 28Hz (-3dB).
• Bass Extension Modes: 3 Modes: Max SPL (100Hz), Standard Cardioid (50Hz), Extended Cardioid (35Hz).

Above cut and pasted from a Google search for reference.

Mid bass is usually defined as up to 250hz.

So since the Bx8c extends up to 200hz this is not mid range.

I listened to it in a treated medium sized room.

The bx8c changes the c8c from an excellent large monitor into an excellent tower speaker.
Note the frequencies so this is far more than a subwoofer. The impact in terms of moving air is noticeable above typical 80hz subwoofer frequencies.
And importantly for people with room modes, the BX8C significantly extends the cardioid effect.

I doubt that anyone that purchases it would be disappointed.

 

[829]

[1, 2, 3]
...
Above cut and pasted from a Google search for reference.

Thanks for your impressions! I'm glad they match my expectations based on the measurements.

But please be careful to not post links which contain tracking ID(s):

[1] https://nihiloaudio.com/products/ascilab-c8c-bx8c-cardioid-active-speakers-and-bass-stand-pair
tracking part: ?srsltid=AfmBOopp63nUE_j_XGcsP8RpNhd5-gZAroDnBlTj5xHLy48xR9Vd7WJT
[2] https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/active-speakers-and-subwoofer/ascilab-bx8c-black-p-21389.html
tracking part: ?srsltid=AfmBOoq_vgpeYXA_pOgfXnrkHgw5hMQFr4C2ZtuR-u3e1g_2MRIpd-6E
[3] is clean

 

[AudioJester]

Speaking of BX8C - got a Fedex update that its on the way!

 

[Jingles75]

Speaking of BX8C - got a Fedex update that its on the way!

I ordered the C8C right at the tail end of the pre-orders & received a FedEx notification that mine hit Melbourne at 2am this morning.
Very much looking forward to having a listen when I get my paws on them.
Keen to know your listening impressions when you add the BX8C!

 

[AsciLab]

Proud to share that the AsciLab C8C + BX8C is now installed in the music listening room at Seoul National University (SNU)

Having our flagship system in a space of this acoustic caliber is a genuine honor. Wishing the students there many years of great sound and music.

 

[Morla]

nice! Hope audiophonics has same news soon

Speaking of BX8C - got a Fedex update that its on the way!

 

[Morla]

Proud to share that the AsciLab C8C + BX8C is now installe
Having our flagship system in a space of this acoustic caliber is a genuine honor. Wishing the students there many years of great sound and music.

Those seats look comfy

 

[TheKoC]

Looks excellent!

Question: Is there a "build in" possibility to angle the C8C downwards with the connector plates between it and the BX8C? Otherwise they are quite high.

 

[829]

View attachment 531526View attachment 531527View attachment 531528View attachment 531529View attachment 531530

Proud to share that the AsciLab C8C + BX8C is now installed in the music listening room at Seoul National University (SNU)

Having our flagship system in a space of this acoustic caliber is a genuine honor. Wishing the students there many years of great sound and music.

Amazing, touché! Finally sense came to them and they started to get rid of their questionable previous choices... all for science!

Source: https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.co...r-audiophile-experience-for-students-/1888288

 

[829]

Looks excellent!

Question: Is there a "build in" possibility to angle the C8C downwards with the connector plates between it and the BX8C? Otherwise they are quite high.

Height seems actually quite alright for most use cases, given its great vertical radiation. The correct adjustment, if required, would be as follows.

I'll work my persuasive powers on putting wooden blocks under the sofa legs if it becomes necessary.

It's a totally different design compared to the Genelec 8381A (which can be angled). If you'd do this with the C8C + BX8C, then I'd expect the so carefully optimised radiation pattern to be destroyed, as the BX8C is not a typical subwoofer with its working range up to 200(?) Hz (cardioid choice starting from 35 Hz) and you'd probably need some complex DSP compensation depending on the degrees of angle chosen (if that would work at all).

 

[JensA]

I find the C8C really interesting, but as a layman I have the following question about connecting the C8C:

My preamp only has a digital output with fixed volume, so I can’t connect the C8C via that.

Of course, the C8C also has analogue inputs, but that doesn’t seem like a good solution to me:

Digital sources would first be converted to analogue format by the (my) existing DAC before this signal is fed into the C8C’s analogue input. In the C8C, the analogue signal is digitised again by the C8C’s ADC before being passed on to the DSP, only to be converted back into an analogue signal by a the C8C's internal DAC.

 

[Bland_username42069]

I find the C8C really interesting, but as a layman I have the following question about connecting the C8C:

My preamp only has a digital output with fixed volume, so I can’t connect the C8C via that.

Of course, the C8C also has analogue inputs, but that doesn’t seem like a good solution to me:

Digital sources would first be converted to analogue format by the (my) existing DAC before this signal is fed into the C8C’s analogue input. In the C8C, the analogue signal is digitised again by the C8C’s ADC before being passed on to the DSP, only to be converted back into an analogue signal by a the C8C's internal DAC.

It has digital inputs

 

[JensA]

It has digital inputs

Ofcourse the C8C have digital inputs, BUT unfortunately my preamp has digital out with fixed volume only, so I cannot make use of the C8C digital inputs