This is a review, listening tests and detailed measurements of the AsciLab F6B stand mount speaker. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $835 for a pair (shipping included).
In black, the F6B seems formal with a very clean design. It feels solid with sense of precision. Compared to its F6Bs sibling which I just reviewed, we now have a passive radiator in the back which should extend the low frequency response:
Let's measure it with our Klippel Near-field Scanner and see what we get (company measurements correlate with mine).
AsciLab F6B Speaker Measurement
As usual, we start with our anechoic frequency response graph:
This is a type of result that puts a smile on this reviewer. On-axis response is a good studio monitor flat but with a slight downward slope. Early window and power response almost mirror the on-axis from 700 Hz or so, indicating excellent off-axis response and a room friendly speaker. Drilling down we get another good result:
Resulting in predicted in-room response that is just like on axis, but with more of a slope down:
Signature should be a warmer sound.
Near-field measurements show very well behaved elements:
Beamwidth measurements shows how well controlled the directivity is:
Like the F6Bs, its about 20 degrees narrower so would result in a more focused image. Directivity shows smooth transitions:
Even vertically we have more room than we typically do with 2-way, non-concentric speakers:
I heard no distortion at 86 or 91 dBSPL during the sweeps. But the 96 dB did start with some:
The F6Bs didn't have this issue because it a) had a high-pass filter and b) didn't play this low. But again, the response was very clean at 86 and 91 dBSPL.
Impedance is typical of modern speakers at 3.5 ohm:
Sensitivity is as low as F6Bs meaning you need 2 to 3 dB more power. I would try to get an amplifier that is above 100 watts, preferably more.
Waterfall plot shows a single resonance that is actually visible in the anechoic measurements as well at 700 Hz:
Step function is so smooth:
AsciLab F6B Speaker Listening Tests
Just like the F6Bs, the immediate impression was warm and ultra clean detail. Here, the F6B went lower, producing a full range response. It actually played my sub-bass track at low to almost medium level. Above that, distortion in bass sets in and gets out of control. Normal music doesn't have such content and there, you could blast the speaker pretty loud levels with almost no bass distortion. And this is with one speaker!
I felt no need to change anything with EQ. Every track in my reference library was produced with excellent fidelity, making me want to just sit there and listen. Alas, I had to stop and come and share the results with news with you!
Conclusions
Th level of refinement oozes from every aspect of the F6B from external design to objective measurements. It is nearly perfect given its physical size. Compared to F6Bs, it brings good level of bass response but with a loudness limit. You could dial in a high-pass filter and get more loudness out of the bass region especially if you have a sub.
When you include the price in the equation, I am at a loss to recommend alternatives to the F6B. It is that good!
I am happy to recommend the AsciLab F6B speaker.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
In black, the F6B seems formal with a very clean design. It feels solid with sense of precision. Compared to its F6Bs sibling which I just reviewed, we now have a passive radiator in the back which should extend the low frequency response:
Let's measure it with our Klippel Near-field Scanner and see what we get (company measurements correlate with mine).
AsciLab F6B Speaker Measurement
As usual, we start with our anechoic frequency response graph:
This is a type of result that puts a smile on this reviewer. On-axis response is a good studio monitor flat but with a slight downward slope. Early window and power response almost mirror the on-axis from 700 Hz or so, indicating excellent off-axis response and a room friendly speaker. Drilling down we get another good result:
Resulting in predicted in-room response that is just like on axis, but with more of a slope down:
Signature should be a warmer sound.
Near-field measurements show very well behaved elements:
Beamwidth measurements shows how well controlled the directivity is:
Like the F6Bs, its about 20 degrees narrower so would result in a more focused image. Directivity shows smooth transitions:
Even vertically we have more room than we typically do with 2-way, non-concentric speakers:
I heard no distortion at 86 or 91 dBSPL during the sweeps. But the 96 dB did start with some:
The F6Bs didn't have this issue because it a) had a high-pass filter and b) didn't play this low. But again, the response was very clean at 86 and 91 dBSPL.
Impedance is typical of modern speakers at 3.5 ohm:
Sensitivity is as low as F6Bs meaning you need 2 to 3 dB more power. I would try to get an amplifier that is above 100 watts, preferably more.
Waterfall plot shows a single resonance that is actually visible in the anechoic measurements as well at 700 Hz:
Step function is so smooth:
AsciLab F6B Speaker Listening Tests
Just like the F6Bs, the immediate impression was warm and ultra clean detail. Here, the F6B went lower, producing a full range response. It actually played my sub-bass track at low to almost medium level. Above that, distortion in bass sets in and gets out of control. Normal music doesn't have such content and there, you could blast the speaker pretty loud levels with almost no bass distortion. And this is with one speaker!
I felt no need to change anything with EQ. Every track in my reference library was produced with excellent fidelity, making me want to just sit there and listen. Alas, I had to stop and come and share the results with news with you!
Conclusions
Th level of refinement oozes from every aspect of the F6B from external design to objective measurements. It is nearly perfect given its physical size. Compared to F6Bs, it brings good level of bass response but with a loudness limit. You could dial in a high-pass filter and get more loudness out of the bass region especially if you have a sub.
When you include the price in the equation, I am at a loss to recommend alternatives to the F6B. It is that good!
I am happy to recommend the AsciLab F6B speaker.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/