Every now and then, a brand comes along, takes the world of both art and sound by the horns and shakes it so hard you can’t tell where one begins and another ends. And that brand, is Elipson.
So… who are Elipson? In answer, they are a leading force in the field of high fidelity loudspeaker design and production. Established in France in 1938 (… in the hi-fi realm, that’s practically the stone age!) by inventor Joseph Leon, the aim was to produce innovative French Electro Acoustic homogeneous loudspeakers capable of recreating a pure and natural sound, free of colouration and trickery. Leon experimented with an infinite variety of shapes made of reinforced plaster, employing several patents which are still in use today: such as acoustic phasing, symmetrical load and multiple resonators. After a series of experiments with various shapes and styles, the sphere stuck.
Their penchant for innovation and research still exists today. And they have fully explored and utilised the versatility of the sphere, allowing them to adapt entirely to their environment, whether they’re used in an exclusively professional environment, or whether they’re the finishing touch to a contemporary bachelor pad, Elipson make themselves right at home. With style.
So, it’s 2014 and we’ve made it here alive. But where are Elispon at now? Well, their phase of experimenting with shapes has been put on hold for the time being, they know what they’re good at and they know what works. But there are still a few options out there to enable you to make your loudspeakers the centrepiece of your space. Here are the five you need to hear. And see.
1. Elipson Planet M – £389 (pair)
First up, we have the Elipson Planet Ms. One of the best things about these speakers, and their larger counterparts the Planet Ls (… as seen below), is how easily placed they are. They can be used with stands, with wall mounts or even hung from the ceiling (that’s our favourite!). Aside from how versatile they are, and the three funky lacquer finishes (standard for the entire Elipson range), it incorporates decades of meticulous research into one compact, effective and affordable little speaker that can be hung from the ceiling, should you desire.
Why do we like them?
You can hang them from the ceiling! Oh, and the sound. The sound is really quite special.
Why do they like them?
‘The Planet M shares many of the positive features of the larger Planet L which was one of my favourite speakers of 2011. If you are still unsure of the sonic benefits from a spherical speaker, a few minutes with the Planet M ought to have you more convinced.’ (AV Forums)
2. Elipson Planet L – £599 (pair)
Much like the Planet Ms… but larger! Stands them up, with mount them on the wall or hang them from the ceiling, your call. Whichever way you lean, you’ll be benefiting from a powerful, uncoloured sound, made possible by a design synonymous with Elipson.
Why do we like them?
They’re a genuine alternative to traditional speaker cabinets, but still offer the power and sound of high-end bookshelves. We’re sold.
Why do they like them?
‘Whether it’s right for you will depend on whether you like the distinctive look. If you do, this is an incredibly gifted loudspeaker with a genuine talent for making music and bringing detail to the fore. What further recommendation do you need?’ (Hi-Fi Choice Magazine October 2011)
3. Elipson Planet LW Powered Wireless – £1,199.00 (pair)
Taking the loudspeaker to the next level, we have a pair of Planet LWs. These encapsulate all of the sound and build benefits of the Planet Ls, but these are active! This, combined with their wireless capabilities, means they are extremely versatile in terms of ‘source’, without the need for separate amplification. And the integrated amplifier is bass-reflex, which means it is exactly as deep, as powerful and as prominent as you need it to be.
Why do we like them?
Innovative, elegant… yet somehow still a lot of fun. A serious speaker that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Why do they like them?
‘… exceptional detail retrieval and excellent bass extension means they are a very special pair of speakers. They are simplicity itself to use and further proof that simply because something looks like a “lifestyle” product doesn’t mean that they have to perform in anything other than a truly “hi-fi” way.’ (AV Forums)
4. Elipson 2.1 Planet Speaker System – £749
In this package we have two Planet Ms serving as satellites and a Planet Subwoofer joining intergalactic forces to bring a stunning 2:1 system to the fold. We’ve already talked about the Ms, so lets talk about the Woof. It’s formed of the same DNA as the rest of Elipson’s Planet line. It takes all the dynamic, true and detailed sound as so readily provided by its spheroidal counterparts and adds an extra layer of oomph, for depth, richness and texture. How much extra oomph? 200 Ws of oomph, that’s what. It’s a small sub with a lot of volume, and will be well at home whatever you use it for.
Why do we like it?
It’s a very pretty package indeed, and allows for dynamics and depth in both pure audio, and audio visual that will continue to surprise. And because these are Planet Ms, they can be hung from the ceiling too!
Why do they like it?
‘Listening to the Elipson suggests that this is no mere “me too” exercise and that a great deal of care and attention has been lavished on the design. The looks will divide opinion [but] I think they look fantastic.’ (AV Forums)
5. Elipson 5.1 Planet Speaker System – £1299
Do you remember the 2:1 system? Of course you do. It’s right there. Well, this is the 5:1 version. One Planet Subwoofer and five Planet M satellites. You could think of the Subwoofer as a sun, and the Ms as its Planets in orbit, if you’d like to take it to the next stage in terms of imagination. Although, even if you just regard it as a very serious speaker system, it’s still a lot of fun. The versatility of the Ms means they can be placed on stands/wall mounts/suspended from the ceiling in accordance to taste (and of course, the room) and when working in conjunction with one another they offer a deep, detailed and fully immersive surround sound. Perfect for Sci-Fi, and indeed any genre.
Why do we like it?
Excellence x 6. There’s not much we don’t like. The Planet series sounds fantastic, and this package really takes it to the next level. All that you need to complete the set is a high-end AV receiver and a Blu Ray Player, and you’re good to go.
Why do they like it?
‘With a touch more attack and punch, the Planets would be true stars’ (What Hi-Fi? Magazine)
What we like about Elipson is their boldness. They know themselves and their craft well, to the point where they’re unafraid of being outlandish in their design, or even their outlook. The result is speakers which are considered forms of art in their own right. They may be versatile in terms of placeability, but they’re not supposed to shrink into the background. They look – and sound – out of this world, and continue to impress with their brash yet stylish good looks and their true, strong and uncoloured sound. And their passion for innovation and experimentation lives on, long beyond the man who got the ball rolling.