Ascilab C8C vs. Pitt & Giblin Superwax Mini

[pawsman]

I've been aware of the many positive attributes of powered speakers since I heard a prototype
of the powered Large Advent speaker over 50 years ago. They have finally come of age with
the new generation of Hypex/DSP powered speakers, and I've decided to take the plunge.
These 2 are at the top of my list; I love the extreme engineering competency exhibited by the
C8C, the highest rating on Spino-rama scale, and passing every test of Amir's with flying colors.
But I also love the Baltic birch construction, the cast bronze horn, the compression driver,
the low crossover and the very powerful, dynamic 15" driver implemented in the Superwax Mini.
Also the nod to it's Klipsch/JBL heritage, albeit with a higher level of execution. The anecdotal
listening tests for both are very good as reported here in ASR and other reviews.
Unfortunately, I won't have a chance to Audition either of them before purchase, so I'll be
buying "blind" so to speak. My head says the C8C, but my heart says the Superwax Mini.
What thinks the ASR Board?

pawsman

I appreciate all the feedback from ASR members; I read all the responses and I've made a decision.
I ordered a pair of Superwax Minis yesterday. Can't wait to run them through their
paces, open them up, and get a read on their full capabilities.

 

[LordxNohman]

I appreciate all the feedback; I read all the responses and I've made a decision.
I ordered a pair of Superwax Minis yesterday. Can't wait to run them through their
paces, open them up, and get a read on their full capabilities.

Congrats!! Hope they live up to your expectations

 

[dalbert02]

FWIW, I think both speakers are beautiful. The ASCI match my silver Benchmark DAC and Mac mini while the P&G match my VPI turntable and Cary tube pre-amp. Different rooms, different philosophies, both satisfying. Speakers that invoke different sensations aren't out of line and I would be proud to own either.

 

[FrantzM]

Hi

I am somewhat amused by the reactions to what are at the end, personal opinions.
We state our preferences on that highly subjective matter and should move on. Not trying to construct anyone's aesthetics opinion as a criticism on the objective performance of a given product...
On that, I find those P&G speakers downright ugly. Would they find a place in my system ,if they were objectively better at their prices, than anything else? Maybe .. I listen every day to my audio system but , I do look at it once in a while ...
OTOH, I find the wares from Asci Lab superb in pictures.. Wouldn't mind having any of those in my listening room.. Actually actively (pun intended) thinking about those

 

[Alexei]

I appreciate all the feedback from ASR members; I read all the responses and I've made a decision.
I ordered a pair of Superwax Minis yesterday. Can't wait to run them through their
paces, open them up, and get a read on their full capabilities.

Hi pawsman, just wondering if you’ve received your SWMs yet and if they lived up to expectations? I’m teetering on the fence ATM. Don’t know of a place in Sydney where I can hear them so would appreciate an opinion if they’re your end-game spkrs. What you like & don’t quite like about them.

 

[Sir Sanders Zingmore]

Hi pawsman, just wondering if you’ve received your SWMs yet and if they lived up to expectations? I’m teetering on the fence ATM. Don’t know of a place in Sydney where I can hear them so would appreciate an opinion if they’re your end-game spkrs. What you like & don’t quite like about them.

Might be worth contacting P&G to see if they have any customers in Sydney who’d oblige?

 

[Alexei]

Might be worth contacting P&G to see if they have any customers in Sydney who’d oblige?

Hi Sir Sanders Zingmore, I’ve taken your advice and emailed P&G. It’s worth a try but I understand that customers may not like the idea of strangers entering their homes. We’ll see if it leads to an audition.

When you heard them at the SNA hifi show, were there any audible aspects that you thought weren’t as impressive or different to what you expected?

 

[pawsman]

Might be worth contacting P&G to see if they have any customers in Sydney who’d oblige?

I haven't received them yet, probably in July.

 

[Keith_W]

When you heard them at the SNA hifi show, were there any audible aspects that you thought weren’t as impressive or different to what you expected?

I have heard them too. As the measurements suggest, there is nothing wrong with them. But show conditions are one thing, you can't push them with anything too demanding. If I get them home and push them harder it might be different. But otherwise they were perfectly fine.

I too am a bit skeptical about the styling. I don't think they're ugly, but they suit a certain type of aesthetic that is not for me. A coat of paint can fix a lot of problems, maybe if they weren't green they would be a bit better.

 

[Sir Sanders Zingmore]

Hi Sir Sanders Zingmore, I’ve taken your advice and emailed P&G. It’s worth a try but I understand that customers may not like the idea of strangers entering their homes. We’ll see if it leads to an audition.

When you heard them at the SNA hifi show, were there any audible aspects that you thought weren’t as impressive or different to what you expected?

You might want to head over to Stereonet, there’s a higher chance that there may be someone local who may be willing to invite you over for an audition

I heard them in a crowded room at a hifi show. My opinion should absolutely not be taken into account as part of a purchase decision.