Review: Elipson Prestige Facet 6B

The Elipson Prestige Facet 6B is the little brother of the Prestige Facet 8B, which we have previously tested. And just like on it, the workmanship is more exclusive than you would expect at the price point. The edges are rounded and the dark walnut finish is almost lifelike. The piano-lacquered front plate is thick – and sound-dead like a garden tile!

The 5-inch midwoofer is equipped with a nice phase plug in aluminium. Both units are surrounded by the pyramid-shaped facets that give the series its name, and which supposedly help to curb diffractions from the edges of the cabinet (and at least look great).

The binding posts on the back are silver plated and look really exclusive. Both loose cable ends and banana plugs are firmly held in place, and bi-wiring is possible.

The sound quality

Although only a minor difference in Pounds, the Elipson Prestige Facet 6B is acoustically in a different class than the cheapest models. The sound is more natural, and the resolution better than with Eltax and Tangent. This is especially an advantage on acoustic music, where it is easier to distinguish the sound differences between the instruments. Also voices that are close to each other, like the three singers on Right Hand Man from Hamilton, get their individual distinctiveness.

The perspective is also excellent. The stage extends significantly beyond the width of the speaker setup, and one senses the depth of the acoustic stage. Without it being done as well as on DALI Oberon 1 and Wharfedale Diamond 12.1.

The dynamics are really good. The mixture of percussion and snapped mandolin strings in Bordrone with Afenginn is reproduced without much compression. The sensitivity is a few dB higher than on most participants, making the Elipson speakers easier to operate with small amplifiers.

Conclusion

The Elipson Prestige Facet 6B is the most expensive speaker in the test, but also the most exclusive. Finish and build quality are far above all others. Fortunately, some of the money has also been spent on the sound, which is harmonious and with quite good dynamics. Overall, however, Facet 6B must see itself beaten by DALI. And considering the price, both Q Acoustics and Wharfedale come higher on the podium.