AsciLab F6B Bookshelf Speaker Review

[jEDGEc0m]

(ps. Thanks for link to that other thread - hadn't noticed it otherwise)

Ascilab C6B & F6B Launched – Ask Questions, Share Feedback

Ascilab C6B and F6B have been launched! Feel free to ask any questions, share feedback, or join the discussion. C6B Measurement data F6B & F6Bs F6B Measurement data F6Bs Measurement data You can check out the product development process in the following thread: ASR Ascilab Speakers Thread...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[staticV3]

Here's the difference in distortion:






So the F6B does better <200Hz, C6B better above.

Edit:
I'd unironically decide based on aesthetics (black vs white tweeter dome, fixed vs removable woofer grille, plus optional gray cabinet on the C6B).

 

[jEDGEc0m]

Here's the difference in distortion:

View attachment 458079 View attachment 458082
View attachment 458084 View attachment 458081
View attachment 458085 View attachment 458080
View attachment 458083 View attachment 458078

So the F6B is better <200Hz, C6B better above.

That's very handy to scroll through to compare. Thanks! And yeah, kinda reinforces that there's not a huge difference, and I'm almost certain I wouldn't hear it, especially since I suspect I'll be below 96dB. (Listening from ~2.3m away, probably rarely and only briefly listen any louder than ~85dB A-weighted).

Aesthetics - yeah, the fact the F6B has less choices is somewhat of an advantage on the option paralysis I like the grill just fine. The feline housemate better respect it!

 

[Luvchampagne]

Such a compelling proposition, these speakers.
If valuing value for money, I'm finding it hard to figure a compelling case to get the C6B over the F6B. Measurements so similar... and will have eq/room correction anyway.
Thoughts?

High SPL unlikely to be required - for bedroom size, with sub(s).

I understand the cabinets are structurally identical..?

F6B has a higher minimum impedance, which seems like it might not be a bad thing, right? (Will power them each separately with a stereo Fosi v3, but just running one channel. 32v 5A)

F6B in cart... might sleep on it some more yet. If nothing else, the colour choice consideration. And I wonder how smashed with orders they are...

(These would displace a pair of JBL Studio 630 which have been modified to into bi-amp and active Xover and room correction. Ports plugged, with subs, XO 70hz. Very interested to hear if they will be dramatically different if result is otherwise a similar in-room frequency response).

Depends on what you call dramatic.
I've heard both C6B and F6B
Have not heard your JBL.
According to Erin (below in quotes) and based on his review of the C6B, even at lower SPL, I would think you would hear quite a bit of difference. These speakers are not in the same class as the JBL. He's comparing them to $3k to $5k speakers and loves them. Your JBL are good but not great for $699. That's a large jump given how many speakers are in the $500 to $1k range.
Imho, if the $$ difference isn't painful to you, go for the C6B. You won't regret it.

"The JBL Studio 630 is part of the new studio lineup that replaces the 500 series. It has a similar design to the HDI series but lacks the same sound quality, particularly in the mid-range.

• The mid-range is noticeably missing from the sound.
• Some tracks have a sense of forwardness in the higher frequencies.
• The speaker maintains good imaging precision and directivity.
• Good compression and distortion handling at both low and high volumes.
• The mid-bass has a solid and impactful sound.
• Placing the speakers too close to a wall worsens the mid-range dip.
• The ideal positioning is between the tweeter and midwoofer for best tonality."

 

[jEDGEc0m]

Depends on what you call dramatic.
I've heard both C6B and F6B
Have not heard your JBL.
According to Erin (below in quotes) and based on his review of the C6B, even at lower SPL, I would think you would hear quite a bit of difference. These speakers are not in the same class as the JBL. He's comparing them to $3k to $5k speakers and loves them. Your JBL are good but not great for $699. That's a large jump given how many speakers are in the $500 to $1k range.
Imho, if the $$ difference isn't painful to you, go for the C6B. You won't regret it.

"The JBL Studio 630 is part of the new studio lineup that replaces the 500 series. It has a similar design to the HDI series but lacks the same sound quality, particularly in the mid-range.

• The mid-range is noticeably missing from the sound.
• Some tracks have a sense of forwardness in the higher frequencies.
• The speaker maintains good imaging precision and directivity.
• Good compression and distortion handling at both low and high volumes.
• The mid-bass has a solid and impactful sound.
• Placing the speakers too close to a wall worsens the mid-range dip.
• The ideal positioning is between the tweeter and midwoofer for best tonality."

Yeah, I regretted using the word "Dramatic" after I'd posted that

Without eq/room correction, yeah the JBL Studio 630 sounded ok, but left to be desired - but since they have good directivity, umik-1 correcting them should have made a pretty good in-room result... I do like the sound, and the "imaging" does seem pretty darn fine. and was curious to try compression drivers. The stupid plastic woofer-ring sometimes can resonate a fair bit at ~330hz from memory (added some foam behind them, generally shuts them up, but they don't clip in place very well - sometimes gotta go over there and touch them up), but even the HDI waveguide sometimes can resonate audibly a little - generally inaudible on most real content (i.e. not sine tones). But hey, other stuff in the room can sometimes start resonating audibly too. Anyway, I digress.

(I do wonder how the waveguide is connected - guess they're glued? and on the Ascilab?)

Indeed, you make a good point - that the extra $ on C6B will soon enough be forgotten about, and ooo fancy aluminium ceramic etc. That lower minimum impedance probably not really a factor too, since unlikely anything will be getting pushed too close to any limits beyond my own playback-preference.

... but still feels like the F6B wouldn't sound very different, with a little eq. A decent % cost difference for probably unquantifiable subjective sound difference.

 

[Hunter Mike]

F6B in cart... might sleep on it some more yet. If nothing else, the colour choice consideration. And I wonder how smashed with orders they are...

The word is out. I received an email from AsciLab saying my order wouldn’t ship until the beginning of July since they received so many orders.

 

[boxerfan88]

Nice to see AsciLab doing well. Can’t wait to see the 3-way models towards year-end or next year. Saving up in the meantime..

 

[jEDGEc0m]

The word is out. I received an email from AsciLab saying my order wouldn’t ship until the beginning of July since they received so many orders.

Yeah, I didn't get in on it before things said "Out of stock" on their shop. Beginning of July isn't too bad, but sorry to hear it, as no doubt with your order already placed, you'd have been hoping to have it on its way to you sooner!

 

[Lorenzo74]

I would love to see a 3-way design/implementation from AsciLab with a midrange driver covering the range 350~3500 (ATC ).

I’d be curious to see which driver AsciLab will select for that all important midrange role.

A solid measuring active version of the above would probably be a good candidate to replace my KH310 if it comes to fruition.

IMHO Crossing an heavy and large (midrange) membrane at 3500Hz will defeat all the engineering Ascilab put into this new speaker. By leveraging waveguide acoustic loading capabilities and crossing this excellent tweeter at the lower limit of its bandpass (almost twice the Fs) they have found the best compromise between linearity, directivity and waterfall. The beauty of this speaker is in the 1kHz up frequencies radiated by a small, light, rigid membrane. @AsciLab isn’t it? Kudos for your approach. Kii audio did similar by crossing at 1.5kHz and using BXT waveguide (a waveguide with 3 different angles). I’m waiting for a cardioid sub and active design from Ascilab. Question to @AsciLab ( if I may) could you partner with Dirac to produce the first speaker that can compensate also room modes? Doing so we could smothly integrate both speakers into our listening room. If you make a tier 1 deal maybe adding 300€ to the final price you can deliver the end game of any laudspeakers.
Best speaker in virtual room ( no walls) and best speaker in real rooms whichever they are.
Any thoughts?
Thank you to all ASR members for having contributed to this great benchmark for speakers, DAC and amplifiers..
Lorenzo

 

[Todd68]

The word is out. I received an email from AsciLab saying my order wouldn’t ship until the beginning of July since they received so many orders.

I ordered a pair the of C6B model on June 8, right after I watched Erin’s review. No mention of out of stock on the website. Basic black version. Received an Email a week or so later that not shipping till beginning of July. I ended up canceling the order after further thought. I don’t need more speakers, it was FOMO. I read Comments from an owner of these and KEF R7 which also helped me decide to cancel, basically great bargain but not sure I would be impressed much by them. I think in an untreated small room is where these would be an excellent choice, I’m not in that situation.

Anyway, Ascilab was super fast at answering my cancellation request and money refunded promptly. Now those MTM with bass towers I’m sure would be awesome in my room, but then the cost is much higher than I’d pay for speakers.

 

[Selkirks]

The word is out. I received an email from AsciLab saying my order wouldn’t ship until the beginning of July since they received so many orders.

Thanks for the heads up. I was going to get rid of my white matte C6B's and order a custom finish but it sounds like the wait would be long.

Great speakers!

 

[muad]

Thanks for the heads up. I was going to get rid of my white matte C6B's and order a custom finish but it sounds like the wait would be long.

Great speakers!

What did you think of the C6B?

 

[Selkirks]

What did you think of the C6B?

Well rounded and neutral sounding, excellent value. They remind me of an evolved Revel Performa 3 series speaker. I had mixed feelings about previously owned speakers with aluminum ceramic drivers from Marten and Trenner & Friedl but I have no complaints with the Ascilabs.

I wanted to switch up to a pair in modern grey with matte white waveguide but it shows C6B sold out on the site.

 

[daniboun]

I was thinking about ordering a pair and finally I did a comparison via Spinorama and I found that the KEF Q11 and Q7 Meta were overall better, especially if we consider the bass extension and the performance/price ratio.
The F6Bs would be interesting with a good subwoofer as a complement, but the price is no longer affordable in this case.
Especially since I found a store that offers the KEF Q7 and Q11 Meta at €1,300 and €1,600 respectively per pair, shipped via UPS.

 

[Purité Audio]

KEF are another ‘measurement led ‘ company, they too make excellent products and provide measurements for all their designs.
Which for me is a prerequisite.
Keith

 

[billou5767]

I was thinking about ordering a pair and finally I did a comparison via Spinorama and I found that the KEF Q11 and Q7 Meta were overall better, especially if we consider the bass extension and the performance/price ratio.
The F6Bs would be interesting with a good subwoofer as a complement, but the price is no longer affordable in this case.
Especially since I found a store that offers the KEF Q7 and Q11 Meta at €1,300 and €1,600 respectively per pair, shipped via UPS.

strange compare colon and biblio

compare with concerto

 

[daniboun]

strange compare colon and biblio

compare with concerto

That's a valid point. But if I consider the F6B + SUB combo, I suggest the KEF Q11 or Q7 alternative instead.

 

[daniboun]

I have a comment for @Audiophonics : Until now, shipping was free for orders over €149 in France. For a €1,500 basket containing a pair of F6Bs, I was charged €50 for shipping. ??

 

[billou5767]

I have a comment for @Audiophonics : Until now, shipping was free for orders over €149 in France. For a €1,500 basket containing a pair of F6Bs, I was charged €50 for shipping. ??

30 kg

1 pair 14 kg perhap 2 ..

 

[daniboun]

30 kg

1 pair 14 kg perhap 2 ..

So I found out how to skip the shipping costs ) = make two separate orders )