AsciLab F6Bs Speaker Review

[Everett T]

This is a review, detailed measurements, EQ and listening test of AsciLab F6Bs bookshelf/surround speaker. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $575 for a pair.
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This is an absolutely gorgeous design! It feels that way as well with a solid cabinet that is neither too light, nor too heavy. I didn't know if the grill over the woofer came off so left it alone. Back side shows that it is a sealed speaker:
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Company uses Klippel Near-field scanner for testing which as you all know, is the same system I use. I reviewed my measurements with them and they concur with those results.

AsciLab F6Bs Speaker Measurements
As usual, we start with our anechoic frequency response measurements:

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Wow, that is one smooth response! Even when a speaker has a flat on axis response, Klippel NFS manages to tease out small variations. Here, there are not other than a gentle "bump" centered around 500 Hz. There is also a slight slope down to the on-axis response. Directivity is heavily managed/controlled as you will see in later graphs.

We can predict the early window reflections:
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And as a result, predicted in-room:
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Is that bump an issue or not? Will have to examine with listening tests. For now, the slope is somewhat aggressive which should result in a warmer tone.

Near-field measurements show that the woofer is responsible for that small bump:
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Horizontal tweeter is exceptionally well controlled, courtesy of good design and that wide waveguide:
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It is a bit narrow though as is typically the case so more of a sharp focused soundstage. Directivity shows the same:
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This is what we see in well designed professional monitors! Even the vertical is well mannered for a 2-way:
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I was worried that F6Bs wouldn't be able to handle the full 96 dBSLP. So went up to 91 initially. Hearing no distortion, I went to my standard 96 dBSPL and it still sounded clean!

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Before I forget, sensitive is low as is the case for sealed enclosures. I estimate about 2 to 3 dB lower than average so better have good amplification.

Impedance shoots sky high as we get down to DC indicating a high pass filter:
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So no worries about overdriving the speaker with too much bass.

Waterfall shows the expected time domain elongation due to 500 Hz bump:
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Finally, here is the step response which is pretty clean:
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AsciLab F6Bs Speaker Listening Tests and EQ:
Initial impression was super positive with a warm "glow" to the music that was a bit apparent. Otherwise, the impression was that of neutrality. I almost stopped there in my analysis but thought I should dial out the bump and see what happens:
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I preferred the eq as it lightened up the tonality some, bringing extra clarity. To be sure, I switched to my Revel Salon 2 speakers and they definitely had less of a bass tilt. It is a small change though and preference will likely vary especially if you have some room modes piling on as well.

Sub-bass output was essentially zero. Go up a bit though where techno bass lives and this little speaker puts out solid tones, even causing physical sensation of bass! I did not hear distortion even as I cranked up the volume. And crank I had to do with my 400 watt amplifier. Didn't have to go near max output but did push the volume up. So definitely get a mid to higher power amplifier to drive them.

Closing my eyes and listening to one speaker as I always do, the spatial halo around the speaker was not very large. This was predicted from the directivity plot. So if you are a fan of wide dispersion, then this speaker may not be quite for you. But the reverse is also true of people who want a focused soundstage.

Overall, the response was delightful. Every reference track sounded wonderful and belied the size and cost of this speaker.

Conclusions
Amazing what happens when you follow audio science and engineering to the max: you get a very reasonably priced, gorgeous speaker that is near perfect objectively. It does things that speaker many multiples of its cost can't. I don't know how AsciLab has managed to optimize so many factors all at once without having to sell the F6Bs for thousands of dollars.

Not only is this speaker excellent for surround duty -- with its screw holes in the back for wall mounting -- but it also makes an excellent monitor or desktop speaker.

It is my pleasure to recommend the AsciLab F6Bs speaker. Don't walk, run to purchase a pair!
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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/

Did you examine the woofer to determine who the OEM is?

 

[AM88]

Nice speakers! Now, how is “AsciLab” pronounced? Like ASCII-Lab or A-SCI-lab (SCI- as in “science”)? Thanks for the review Amir…

From what I remember the brand name is a shortened version of acoustic science lab. So the first syllable from the first two words form the front part of the name.

 

[davmol]

great review, great speakers!

if someone buys one to EU, i would be interested knowing - import duty/tax

I don't think there is duty on loudspeakers in EU (or UK) but you will have to pay VAT, including on the shipping, which in this case is quite expensive. For the UK the saving by ordering direct would be minimal vs just buying from the retailer (Purite) at £700. Hopefully you will get a retailer in the EU soon.

 

[amirm]

Did you examine the woofer to determine who the OEM is?

I didn't even take off the grill so no idea.

 

[feitaishi]

Second is right. You can see how Erin announces AsciLab in his video. I told him how to read it by recording Lol.

Could you tell us more about the bump in the frequency response of Amir’s unit? It’s slightly different from what Erin measured.

 

[howard416]

Did you examine the woofer to determine who the OEM is?

I believe the website says SB Acoustics.

 

[Everett T]

I believe the website says SB Acoustics.

Had a feeling, just didn't do any digging, thanks.

 

[Bleib]

If power is a concern then certainly Fosi V3 mono should suffice

 

[RogerSmith]

Impressive results, that is not much EQ applied by Amir . How do they fare in comparison to the Kef R3 Meta, are those worth the additional cost?

 

[AndreaT]

Excellent measurements, excellent fit’n finish (at least from Amir’s pics and opinion), it should take the place of famed ProAc Tablette and Response One at a much better price, even considering shipping cost. Power is cheap nowadays (I am thinking about class D amps) and I am really itching to buy a pair. but maybe it is time to replace my tower speakers in the main room, 20 year-old Paradigm Studio 100 v.3, instead. Thank you Amir for this excellent review!

 

[DanTheMan]

These, the Yamaha RS202 and a couple of cheap subs. Be happy for the rest of your days.

 

[kyuu]

Could you tell us more about the bump in the frequency response of Amir’s unit? It’s slightly different from what Erin measured.

Erin and Amir did not measure the same speaker. C6B vs F6Bs.

 

[SDC]

If power is a concern then certainly Fosi V3 mono should suffice

Yes, many users in Korea are powering them with chi-fi amps.
Not the best amp but does the job.
(If I remember correctly Ascilab has one of those amps in the show room. So customers can see if they really hold up.)

During initial pre-orders there were lots of fuss about required power and reliability of cheap China stuffs. (You know how East Asia countries hate each other.)

Now many settled with fosi, 3e, some chose AVRs from Denon and Marantz as they serve many roles including amplifying.

At least from what I seen, there has been no complaints about power after the products were all delivered and they used the whatever power they prepared.


Recently in Korea, Ascilab launched a pre-order of their 12" passive subwoofer.
And as they are cheap subwoofers with no internal amplifier. Another small fuss was raised.
But many are settling with fosi mono amps.
And those who want serious powers; second hand PA amps like Crown and QSC.


Keep in mind, Korea has Ascilab but they only have Ascilab.
All budget amplifiers from west are no longer budget friendly when they are shipped to the other side of the globe.
With Korea's electronics related NTBs being notorious for costs and inconvenience.

Many were forced to Chi- fi, but if there are better options around you why bother? Take the quality products you believe in.

 

[muad]

Did you examine the woofer to determine who the OEM is?

The website says it's an sbacoustics.

 

[PristineSound]

Keep in mind, Korea has Ascilab but they only have Ascilab.
All budget amplifiers from west are no longer budget friendly when they are shipped to the other side of the globe.
With Korea's electronics related NTBs being notorious for costs and inconvenience.

Does Korea not have options to Japanese electronics and Hypex and Purifi?

 

[OnAir]

Did you examine the woofer to determine who the OEM is?

That i know they use purifi, SB acoustics, Wavecor(subwoofer unit)
Maybe F6b use SB paper cone woofer unit

 

[OnAir]

Does Korea not have options to Japanese electronics and Hypex and Purifi?

There are options from Nad and apollon, but I don't think it's cost effective to invest in an expensive amp, so I'll use that money for room tuning and dsp first and save it as a last resort.

 

[Inertiaman]

Anyone else having problems getting a $575 price?
Mine went into the cart at $575, but changed to $725 when I entered check out. Plus $180 shipping to US. I removed from cart and started over and price is now $725 but now says "shipping included", yet when I go to the cart it adds $221 shipping onto the $725.
Something odd happening w/ their purchase system.

 

[SDC]

Does Korea not have options to Japanese electronics and Hypex and Purifi?

Only one shop imports Apollon amps.

Other options are direct shipping, but Korea law forbids buying same electronics more than two times without proper inspection and testing.
(Even CE and FCC approved products.)

Once I nearly got my hypex fusion plate trashed, had to convince them a pair of amp is needed for a pair of speakers lol.


NAD is also option but good deals are rare nowadays.

Japanese electronics were bit better, but wxa50 and stuffs got their price increased as more people bought them.
(I use wxa50 and recommended it to others but one day found out the price increase was bit steep.)

So Japanese stereo amplifiers became less appealing compared to AVR alternatives.

 

[DanTheMan]

Do the cabinet feet screw all the way through the bottom panel? If not, I ain't buying'em. Oddiophiles know that's the mark of a great speaker.