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One experimented with different new building materials like aluminum and plastics and finally opted for a fiberglas/resin mix named FRP (fibreglass reinforced plastic) which isn’t common in hifi but far from exotic in other industries. Wall thickness varies from 8mm to (near the drivers) 12mm. The plural of drivers was to signal that despite a single unit per channel the Elipson Planet L relies on a coaxial system to be a true two-way. Though sourced elsewhere the development of this driver is said to have consumed further time. Its cone surface is a paper mix, a material Elipson has trusted in for a long time: "We find paper very neutral and low in coloration." The crossover division between 16cm mid/woofer and 25mm treble dome sits at 3.100Hz, meaning the former works over quite broad a band but retreats from full participation at 1.900Hz via a 2nd order slope. Elipson calls development of this filter a further contributor to the 24-month R&D efforts.

Before we listen, a few usage items. The terminals beneath the rear-firing port are of the robust sort accepting both bananas and spades but spacing broader than not even a pinkie finger would be nice. The classy metallic grill is fitted via magnets and easily removed. €219/pr buys matching stands. A gander at equivalent accessories elsewhere calls that relatively cheap. The heavy round base and secure bolt arrangement on the speaker end make for a firm stable connection and cosmetics point at Scandinavian furniture stores replete with the mandatory assembly (which proved exceptionally easy and with impeccable fit and detail work).

During my audition the Planet L plus stand was positioned freely not least to make for more even comparisons. Shelf placement is accounted for with two included base rings whilst an optional ceiling mount affords experimentation with less visible setup possibilities.

On audition. I found it completely counter-intuitive what the Planet L’s 11-point-something liters of internal volume developed in matters of substance, extension and pressure in the bass. It’s often surprising what designers of compact speakers manage to wring from their offspring. That makes for an easy and common intro for a hifi hack looking for plot but the Planets had their own ideas on the effort I was supposed to make on this assignment. So let’s turn tables and put salt in the obvious wound. Bass-for-money seekers won’t run after the ballsy Frenchies. For fat bass runs and kick drums the Elipson is far from a spoiler but designs like the PSB Image B6—never mind the Quadral Rondo—offer more poundage and blackness in the midbass whilst true sub bass eludes all of their concepts.