Cardioid and dipole have poor efficiency down low. The size of 8c is a compromise and 80-100hz difference is not that great, and it is transition zone. Look at it's distortion above 100Hz!
Yes Californian houses and rooms are easier than Scandinavian or the apartments in central Europe or other densely populated cities. I don't see 8c as the universally best speaker in the world, but a serious alternative and a masterpiece. I haven't heard them but followed the first steps at diyaudio.com forum.
Genelec's speakers of similar size have lower but as smooth DI. The difference is at 100-2000Hz. Genelec's have protection circuit below bass tuning and don't go as low as the sealed 8c.
Yes Californian houses and rooms are easier than Scandinavian or the apartments in central Europe or other densely populated cities. I don't see 8c as the universally best speaker in the world, but a serious alternative and a masterpiece. I haven't heard them but followed the first steps at diyaudio.com forum.
Genelec's speakers of similar size have lower but as smooth DI. The difference is at 100-2000Hz. Genelec's have protection circuit below bass tuning and don't go as low as the sealed 8c.