Audium Comp 8

Audium Comp 8 – Exceptional Wideband Floorstanding Loudspeakers – White – Pair

The Audium Comp 8 follows a loudspeaker philosophy that differs considerably from conventional two- or three-way designs. Rather than dividing the musically critical midrange and treble between several drivers and crossover sections, the Berlin manufacturer employs a remarkably small 4-inch wideband driver to reproduce almost the entire musically relevant frequency range.

Only in the lowest frequencies is this driver assisted by a separate, floor-mounted 9-inch woofer.

The result combines two qualities rarely brought together so consistently: the coherence, immediacy and spatial precision of a good wideband loudspeaker with the depth and authority of a substantial floorstanding system.

The pair offered here is in very good condition and finished in elegant white.

The Audium Concept

Founded in Berlin by Frank Urban, Audium developed a distinctive approach to loudspeaker design based around reproducing as much of the audible spectrum as possible from a single driver.

The Comp 8 is a particularly interesting expression of this philosophy.

Positioned approximately at ear level is a wideband driver measuring only four inches in diameter. Unlike a conventional full-range driver, however, it is not required to reproduce deep bass.

Below approximately 170 Hz, a separate 9-inch woofer takes over.

Relieving the small wideband unit of deep-bass duties considerably reduces the large diaphragm excursions associated with low frequencies, allowing it to concentrate on the region most important for voices, instruments, tonal information and spatial detail.

An important advantage of this approach is the absence of a conventional crossover between separate midrange and treble drivers. Voices and a large proportion of the instrumental spectrum therefore originate from a single acoustic source.

An Unusual 4-Inch Wideband Driver

The specially developed wideband unit is one of the most technically interesting aspects of the Comp 8.

According to the contemporary STEREOPLAY review, its diaphragm is made from a combination of glass and cotton fibres.

As frequency rises, the effective radiating area of the diaphragm changes, with progressively more of the high-frequency reproduction being handled by its inner section.

A moving central element additionally contributes to this behaviour, performing a function that can be compared in principle with a mechanical crossover.

This enables the compact driver to reproduce frequencies extending beyond 20 kHz without requiring a separate tweeter.

Contemporary measurements also demonstrated unusually broad dispersion – an important achievement, as increasing high-frequency directivity is one of the traditional challenges associated with larger full-range drivers.

9-Inch Seas Sub-Bass Driver

The crucial complement to the wideband concept is located in the lower section of the enclosure.

A 9-inch Seas bass driver is dedicated exclusively to the lower frequencies. Its position close to the floor is deliberate and makes use of acoustic coupling with the listening room.

The bass-reflex port is located on the rear of the enclosure.

Contemporary laboratory measurements established a lower limiting frequency of 38 Hz, providing the Comp 8 with remarkably mature low-frequency extension considering that the majority of the musical spectrum is reproduced by a four-inch wideband unit.

This is one of the defining characteristics of the Comp 8: the advantages of a compact wideband driver are achieved without having to sacrifice genuine low-frequency extension.

Crossover at Approximately 170 Hz

The relatively low crossover frequency between the wideband and bass drivers is fundamental to the design.

In conventional multi-way loudspeakers, crossover points often lie within the musically important midrange or between the midrange and treble.

Audium takes a different approach.

The 4-inch wideband unit reproduces virtually the entire midrange and treble from one acoustic source. Only at approximately 170 Hz does the dedicated bass driver take over.

The crossover therefore lies well below the region particularly critical for voices and many musical instruments.

Coherence and homogeneity are consequently central to the Comp 8 concept.

Sophisticated Cabinet Construction

Audium also adopted an unusual approach to the cabinet.

The Comp 8 employs high-strength MDF panels. To create the characteristic curved side walls, the material is vertically slotted and subsequently formed into shape under high pressure.

The curved enclosure is therefore not merely a styling exercise but part of a sophisticated cabinet construction.

In the white finish of our pair, the Comp 8 looks particularly elegant and contemporary. Despite its unconventional engineering, its appearance remains pleasantly understated and integrates beautifully into modern living spaces.

STEREOPLAY Review

The Audium Comp 8 was extensively reviewed by STEREOPLAY in 2012.

The review particularly praised its fine dynamic ability, neutrality and spatial presentation. The wideband driver impressed with detailed yet relaxed reproduction and remarkably broad dispersion.

At the same time, the dedicated bass system provided a powerful and differentiated low-frequency foundation.

It is precisely this combination of wideband immediacy and substantial bass performance that defines the special character of the Comp 8.

Rather than impressing through an ever-increasing number of drivers, Audium follows a deliberately reduced approach: reproduce as much music as possible from one acoustic source and add a specialised bass driver only where physical necessity makes it advantageous.

Condition of Our Pair

The pair of Audium Comp 8 loudspeakers offered here is in very good condition.

They are finished in elegant white and remain particularly attractive cosmetically.

Because of their size, construction and our experience with the transportation of high-quality loudspeakers, we have deliberately decided not to ship this pair by parcel service.

Personal collection is of course possible.

In addition, we offer personal delivery within a radius of up to 100 km from Frankfurt am Main by prior arrangement.

This allows us to ensure that this very well-preserved pair reaches its new owner in exactly the condition in which it leaves us.

Technical Highlights

• Manufacturer: Audium
• Model: Comp 8
• Type: Floorstanding loudspeaker
• Wideband/sub-bass concept
• 4-inch wideband driver
• Glass and cotton-fibre diaphragm
• High-frequency extension beyond 20 kHz
• 9-inch Seas bass driver
• Crossover frequency: approximately 170 Hz
• Bass-reflex design
• Rear bass-reflex port
• Bass driver positioned close to the floor
• Contemporary measured lower limiting frequency: 38 Hz
• Sophisticated MDF enclosure with curved side panels
• Finish of our pair: White
• Very good condition
• Offered as a stereo pair

Our Verdict

The Audium Comp 8 demonstrates that a technically sophisticated loudspeaker does not necessarily have to become increasingly complicated.

Audium instead follows a philosophy of deliberate reduction. A small, responsive wideband driver reproduces virtually the entire musically critical frequency range, avoiding additional driver transitions precisely where human hearing is particularly sensitive.

Only in the bass does a large dedicated woofer take over, giving the Comp 8 a degree of low-frequency extension that one might hardly expect from such a wideband concept.

The result combines the coherence and immediacy of a wideband system with the authority and depth of a fully developed floorstanding loudspeaker.

Our very well-preserved pair in white also demonstrates how elegantly this unusual technical concept can be realised.

Please note: Due to their size and sensitivity during transport, we do not offer parcel shipping for these loudspeakers. Personal collection is possible, and by prior arrangement we are happy to deliver them personally within a radius of up to 100 km from Frankfurt am Main.