Short answer: the AsciLab C6B. It ranks #6 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.7/5, at $1,145; the Yamaha NS-800A ranks #80, rated 4.0/5, and costs $4,999.90, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The AsciLab C6B is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. Bookshelf speakers with very accurate sound and an unusually wide, stable soundstage, for any seating position. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.33 against 4.66 for the Yamaha NS-800A. Its bass reaches about 54Hz before falling 3dB, against 68Hz for the Yamaha NS-800A. Watch for: Bass rolls off around 50Hz in-room (F3 54Hz, F10 35Hz), so a subwoofer is needed for real extension below that.
The case for the Yamaha NS-800A: A beautifully built bookshelf speaker with wide, consistent dispersion, low distortion, and bass that works well close to a wall. Watch for: A wide, roughly 2kHz-10kHz scoop in the upper-midrange/lower-treble gives it a laidback, soft, low-attack character: notably worse than the reviewer’s Audio First Fidelia reference in an A/B comparison.
Buy the AsciLab C6B. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Yamaha NS-800A and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Bookshelf speakers with very accurate sound and an unusually wide, stable soundstage, for any seating position.
A beautifully built bookshelf speaker with wide, consistent dispersion, low distortion, and bass that works well close to a wall.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| AsciLab C6B | Yamaha NS-800A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1145 per pair | $4,999.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #6 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #80 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 8”W x 10.4”D (398.8 x 203.2 x 264.2 mm) | 16.5”H x 9.1”W x 14.1”D (419.1 x 231.8 x 358.8 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 2.6 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal, 4.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.6dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 84.9dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86.5dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 6” Aluminium Ceramic Cone with cast Aluminium Chassis woofer, 1” Aluminium Ceramic Dome tweeter | 1.25” dome tweeter, 6.5” mid-woofer |
| Weight | 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each | 28.7 lbs (13.0 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator | Bass reflex |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.33 | 4.66 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.28 | 6.43 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2600Hz |
| Power Handling | - | 40W nominal, 120W max |
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