Floorstanding loudspeakers — Audio Physic CLASSIC 8

The Classic 8 is a slim floorstander from Audio Physic, the German loudspeaker maker based in Brilon in the Sauerland. It builds on the Classic 5, sharing its narrow front baffle and silhouette, but adds a dedicated woofer with a strong motor system to support the midwoofer, making a two-and-a-half-way design for rooms of 20 m2 and more. The cabinet is only 55 mm taller than the Classic 5.

Key specs that matter

It uses a 22 mm artificial silk dome tweeter, crossed over at 3 kHz, a 170 mm glass fibre midwoofer and a 170 mm glass fibre woofer. Frequency range is 34 Hz to 30 kHz, sensitivity is 89 dB, impedance is 4 ohms, and Audio Physic lists 25 W to 150 W of amplifier power. The cabinet measures 1055 mm high, 170 mm wide and 290 mm deep, and the base plate needs a floor area of 210 x 350 mm. Weight is about 17 kg.

Engineering and use context

Both cones are woven glass fibre, which combines low mass with high internal damping so that partial oscillations of the diaphragm are suppressed. The midwoofer carries a fixed phase plug instead of a dust cap, which reduces compression in the midrange and helps cool the large magnet motor. The woofer works only in the bass, below the upper range of the midwoofer, so both cones share the low frequencies, which keeps the midrange clean while the combined cone area raises bass output. The tweeter sits in a small horn-shaped recess that shapes its dispersion around the crossover point, keeping radiation even for listeners seated away from the central position. A bass reflex system fires downward through the base, which makes placement close to walls more practical. The slim baffle reduces edge diffraction around the drivers. The black plinth stabilises the tall, narrow cabinet and has M8 threaded bushings that accept standard spikes or Audio Physic's optional VCF II M8 vibration control feet, which decouple the speaker from the floor. A black fabric grille attaches magnetically, and the cabinet is offered in several colours and veneers, including white and cherry. Audio Physic has since discontinued the Classic 8.

Pairing

Being a 4 ohm design, the Classic 8 wants a power amplifier with ample current reserves, and the moderate sensitivity favours solid-state designs or higher-power valve amplifiers. The slim plinth lets the Classic 8 sit comfortably in living rooms.

Alternatives

Audio Physic's Classic 5 is the smaller two-way floorstander that shares the same slim cabinet profile.