Short answer: the AsciLab C8C for better sound quality, the Palmer Orbit 11 for the lower price. The AsciLab C8C ranks #34 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers at $5799. The Palmer Orbit 11 ranks #36 at $766, $5033 cheaper.
The case for the Palmer Orbit 11: True coaxial point-source layout (6.5” midrange + 1” tweeter on the same axis, flanked by dual 8” woofers in a 2.5-way configuration) plus a cardioid front baffle to reduce rear/side room reflections - genuinely differentiated pro-monitor engineering. Set against that: XLR analog and AES3 digital I/O only, no consumer RCA/TRS - this is a studio-signal-chain product, not a plug-and-play hi-fi speaker.
What the AsciLab C8C offers: Dual opposed 8 inch side firing subwoofers deliver true cardioid bass control and the deepest low frequency extension of any speaker in this batch, measured to just 23.4Hz at -6dB with a listening window smoothness score of 0.75, both near the top of everything on spinorama.org. The catch: The measured Q of the bass alignment (2.13) is on the peaky side, suggesting some boominess near the port tuning frequency without EQ correction.
Buy the Palmer Orbit 11 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the AsciLab C8C if sound quality matters more than the price.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Palmer Orbit 11. It ranks near the bottom of the 48 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Palmer Orbit 11 | AsciLab C8C | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $766 | 5799 EUR/pair |
| Ranked | #36 of 48 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #34 of 48 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 27.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 30.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 21.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 20.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Maximum Output | 116dB peak at 1m | - |
| Amplification | 1000W peak / 400W RMS total, tri-amped Class-D | - |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 6.5" midrange (coaxial), 2x 8" woofers | 1" alumina ceramic dome tweeter with waveguide, 2x 6" alumina ceramic midrange/woofers, 2x 8" side mounted opposed cardioid subwoofers |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 11.5" x 11.5" (217 x 293 x 292 mm) (8.5 x 11.5 x 11.5 in), 13.9kg (30.6 lb) each | 22"H x 10"W x 13.8"D (560 x 254 x 350 mm) (22.05 x 10.0 x 13.78 in) |
| Enclosure | - | sealed |
| Weight | - | 60.6 lbs / 27.5 kg (60.6 lbs) each |
| Power Output (Watts) | - | 600W total (100W tweeter, 250W midrange, 250W subwoofer) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | - | 23.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Points | - | 150Hz, 1.2kHz |
| Warranty | - | 2 years |
| Country | - | South Korea |
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- Genelec S360 vs Kali Audio LP-6
- JBL 4329P vs Kali Audio LP-6
- GGNTKT M1 vs Palmer Orbit 11
- AsciLab C8C vs GGNTKT M1
The Two Speakers In Full
Palmer Orbit 11: $766 Thomann
Pros: True coaxial point-source layout (6.5” midrange + 1” tweeter on the same axis, flanked by dual 8” woofers in a 2.5-way configuration) plus a cardioid front baffle to reduce rear/side room reflections - genuinely differentiated pro-monitor engineering. Deepest bass extension of the entire batch by a wide margin: 27.8Hz at -3dB / 21.5Hz at -10dB, backed by tri-amped Class-D power (1000W peak / 400W RMS combined) and linear-phase FIR DSP running at 96kHz/24-bit. Highest predicted in-room preference score of this batch (pref_score 5.3).
Cons: XLR analog and AES3 digital I/O only, no consumer RCA/TRS - this is a studio-signal-chain product, not a plug-and-play hi-fi speaker. At 13.9kg and roughly 22 x 29 x 29cm each, it’s heavy and deep for shelf placement, effectively requiring a stand or wall/desk mount. Sold individually at $766/unit ($1,532/pair).
Full Palmer Orbit 11 review and specifications →
| Amplification | 1000W peak / 400W RMS total, tri-amped Class-D |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 21.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 27.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 11.5" x 11.5" (217 x 293 x 292 mm) (8.5 x 11.5 x 11.5 in), 13.9kg (30.6 lb) each |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 6.5" midrange (coaxial), 2x 8" woofers |
| Maximum Output | 116dB peak at 1m |
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AsciLab C8C: 5799 EUR/pair Audiophonics
Pros: Dual opposed 8 inch side firing subwoofers deliver true cardioid bass control and the deepest low frequency extension of any speaker in this batch, measured to just 23.4Hz at -6dB with a listening window smoothness score of 0.75, both near the top of everything on spinorama.org. On axis deviation measures a remarkably tight 0.108dB average, the flattest of anything added to this catalog from spinorama.org’s current measurement set. The alumina ceramic 3 way design offers switchable minimum phase or linear phase DSP modes for either low latency tracking or maximum time domain accuracy.
Cons: The measured Q of the bass alignment (2.13) is on the peaky side, suggesting some boominess near the port tuning frequency without EQ correction. AsciLab has repeatedly sold out of the C8C direct from the manufacturer, so buyers often pay a premium through resellers like Audiophonics or Tested Audio and may face a long wait. At 27.5kg (60 lbs) per cabinet it is heavy for a stand mount monitor.
Full AsciLab C8C review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 20.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 30.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 23.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Country | South Korea |
| Crossover Points | 150Hz, 1.2kHz |
| Dimensions | 22"H x 10"W x 13.8"D (560 x 254 x 350 mm) (22.05 x 10.0 x 13.78 in) |
| Drivers | 1" alumina ceramic dome tweeter with waveguide, 2x 6" alumina ceramic midrange/woofers, 2x 8" side mounted opposed cardioid subwoofers |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Power Output (Watts) | 600W total (100W tweeter, 250W midrange, 250W subwoofer) |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Weight | 60.6 lbs / 27.5 kg (60.6 lbs) each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons