Ascilab C8C vs. Pitt & Giblin Superwax Mini

[Sir Sanders Zingmore]

pretty sure they're not placing them in the kitchen

They aren't in the kitchen .....

 

[kemmler3D]

Imagine how fancy a restaurant would have to be to put 5-figure speakers in the KITCHEN though!

I'd eat there...

 

[amirm]

pretty sure they're not placing them in the kitchen

I wasn't talking about the kitchen. The oily air travels through the restaurant and especially the bar area. For this reason, pro speakers are usually used, not anything remotely looking like these.

 

[amirm]

Imagine how fancy a restaurant would have to be to put 5-figure speakers in the KITCHEN though!

Or anywhere in the restaurant. Maybe a fancy looking B&O as art piece, but not these box speakers.

 

[RexrothPigeon]

They aren't in the kitchen .....

View attachment 536192

They look pretty safe up there unless that barista takes his latte art cues from jackson pollock...

(also: damn, they look great in that space. exactly what I had in mind.)

 

[awf]

Given P&G’s live music and pro sound background I think they know a thing or two about unpredictable and potentially hostile environments. Probably not a relevant question for users on this thread.

 

[Karmacoma]

They aren't in the kitchen .....

View attachment 536192

When I saw their site that's exactly what I thought of, designed for a so called "listening bar" where you usually find big vintage studio speakers.

 

[pittandgiblin]

I've never thought to ask if my high end interior clients would like the fully rounded corner, polyurea texture coated, perforated steel grille with filter foam backing version. I just don't think they'd go for it?! Maybe I could convince them with my knowledge of the oily air and the cleaning issues surrounding flat smooth surfaces, but I have little to no experience in this field. RG

 

[Puddingbuks]

These ascilab speakers look hideous. Designed by a true tech nerd I guess. Those Pitt & Giblin are on another level, although their wooden box shape is rather dull and oldfashioned.

 

[Purité Audio]

The C8C’s are hideous…

 

[AsciLab]

This wasn't a comparison we set out to start, but in response to questions from Pitt & Giblin and others, we openly shared accurate explanations and data — within the scope of what we had already published and of our own design — for the sake of a transparent comparison.

That said, on the technical side, as far as I'm aware Pitt & Giblin has not yet published data of their own that could be placed side by side with what we answered — estimated Xmax, Max SPL, THD vs. SPL, and so on.

We answered the technical questions neutrally and transparently: the simple cone-area comparison that didn't account for excursion, the remark about cardioid inefficiency, and the question of whether 125W per driver can really take the 8" driver to Xmax.

Following those answers, the discussion now seems to be moving toward comparing the designs — and some of the remarks there are, I'll admit, a little disheartening. Our design follows "form follows feature." Within a shape that stays as unobtrusive as possible, we pursue the form that — technically — has to be that way. We could certainly choose various boutique finishes, but we don't feel that fits the direction we're pursuing. Design is, by nature, an area that rests heavily on personal taste and subjective judgment, so the subtle digs at a product's looks don't feel courteous to us. And if even this is to be counted as part of the "comparison," then this is the one part of the comparison we can't avoid.

We sincerely admire what Pitt & Giblin has achieved — beautiful craftsmanship and design that suits high-end interiors while still delivering genuinely respectable acoustic performance.

We've put all of our own data on the table, so additional data that allows a comparison under the same conditions would be welcome anytime.

 

[Karmacoma]

We sincerely admire what Pitt & Giblin has achieved (,,,) genuinely respectable acoustic performance.
(...) additional data that allows a comparison under the same conditions would be welcome anytime.

And we sincerely admire your genuine humility and impeccable diligence, I think we've collected enough data in that regard to allow a comparison and reach a conclusion.

 

[Sir Sanders Zingmore]

What a strangely meandering thread.
I for one, won’t be satisfied until we see full sets of measurements showing speaker performance after being dunked in the chip fryer

 

[kemmler3D]

@AsciLab has it right in terms of marketing and de gustibus non est disputandum here. Both industrial design directions have merits and the better of the two is ultimately only a matter of taste. I could say P&G designs look like they were cobbled together from items found in the clearance section of the Crate and Barrel cookware area, but that would also be mean, un-called for, and if I were representing an audio brand, undignified.

As for what I actually think, plywood boxes are in (just ask Ojas), and they also call on the aesthetic of the Jazz Kissa micro-trend that's seems to be starting to take root in the west. Whether or not they are easy to clean, there's both a straight vintage and also fashion-forward argument for them in the market.

Ascilab lets form follow function and their results speak for themselves.

Both approaches are not only valid, but good IMO. Any given individual is likely to have an opinion on which looks better - also good.

In industrial design, the outcome you don't want is people feeling indifferent. Nobody spends extra because of indifference.

 

[Puddingbuks]

The C8C’s are hideous…View attachment 536231

Ascilab indeed looks dreadful. No style. No inspiration. Design of “let us put some deivers in a box”. Let’s call them “A6B” very inspirational.

These avantgarde colibri speakers are a piece of art. And yes, Colibri, that is a nice speaker name.

Look:

 

[amirm]

I've never thought to ask if my high end interior clients would like the fully rounded corner, polyurea texture coated, perforated steel grille with filter foam backing version. I just don't think they'd go for it?!

Well, you have to tell us how they are going for your current design. At Madrona, we routinely work with high-end designers on both commercial and residential projects. Not a single one would remotely tolerate your speakers (or Ascilab for that matter). The client would have to override and relegate them to dedicated room, etc. No sign off is going to come from said designer or significant other.

I mean really... do they not object to that pro looking woofer driver?

As a woodworker, I kind of appreciate the veneered paneling but I find it conflicting with the front elements and baffle. And the sharp edges look outdated to me.

Maybe commercial style is different in Australia....

 

[amirm]

Ascilab indeed looks dreadful. No style.

They have a modern style. And that color, modern gray, is incredibly pretty in person. I see a lot of people ordering them in that color or white saying that it better matches their home. Or preference of the significant other.

As I noted above, squared wood cabinets are not the "in" style these days. In 1970s, they would have been great but today, people want rounded corners and real style.

 

[AudioJester]

What a strangely meandering thread.
I for one, won’t be satisfied until we see full sets of measurements showing speaker performance after being dunked in the chip fryer

Actually its been quite enlightening. Make uncalled for derogatory comments in a cordial discussion, ask for measurements from others but provide non yourself lol. You can can design beautiful speakers but lack class.
However, decorum is not a prerequisite for a speaker manufacturer..

I own several painted mdf boxes. Clearly iam not Bourgeois enough to be considered worthy of P&G ownership.

Apologies to @AsciLab for dragging you into this thread

 

[Sir Sanders Zingmore]

but lack class.

We Aussies take this as a compliment

 

[AudioJester]

We Aussies take this as a compliment

Touche
Does get us into trouble on the world stage!