The in-ceiling speaker Elipson IC6 is a two-way coaxial model designed for ceiling installation. It features a directional tweeter and is suitable for both residential and professional environments. Compatible with most amplifiers, it is part of Elipson’s Architect IN range. Elipson is a French manufacturer active in the field of acoustics since 1938.
Thoughtful and Controlled Acoustic Design
The IC6 speaker is built around a 16.5 cm mid-bass driver with a paper cone and rubber surround. This configuration delivers dynamic reproduction of mid and low frequencies while preserving the natural character of the sound. The choice of paper for the cone is deliberate: this traditional material, favored by Elipson, imparts a distinctive sound coloration, characterized by a certain smoothness and a lack of harshness in the midrange.
The 25 mm silk dome tweeter is the other central element of this acoustic architecture. Its standout feature is its ability to be angled, adjustable from 35 to 40° in all directions. This flexibility allows for optimal dispersion of high frequencies toward the listening area, compensating for the constraints of ceiling placement. The silk dome provides a smooth and natural signature to the treble, avoiding any harshness even during extended listening sessions.
The crossover frequency, set at 2,950 Hz according to technical specifications (though some sources mention 1,950 Hz), reflects a balanced distribution between the two drivers. This relatively high value allows the mid-bass to cover a large part of the vocal spectrum, ensuring optimal tonal coherence.
Integration and Installation Flexibility
The IC6 is designed for visual discretion without compromising acoustic performance. With its 230 mm diameter and 102 mm depth, it fits seamlessly into standard suspended ceilings. The required cutout diameter of 200 mm is in line with market standards, making installation easy in both new builds and renovations.
The white magnetic grille can be painted to perfectly match any ceiling. This feature, common to the entire Architect IN range, allows for near-invisible integration once installation is complete. The spring-clip mounting system ensures secure attachment while remaining easy to implement.
It is recommended to allow an extra 2 to 3 cm behind the speaker to add a layer of rock wool. This technical precaution helps dampen the rear sound waves from the drivers, improving clarity and reducing unwanted acoustic interactions with the ceiling structure.
Performance and Versatility
The IC6’s electrical characteristics reflect a careful balance between sensitivity and power handling. With a sensitivity of 87 dB for 1 W at 1 meter, it offers respectable efficiency, making it compatible with a wide range of amplifiers. Its 100 W power handling ensures ample dynamic headroom for most applications.
The frequency response, ranging from 70 Hz to 20 kHz, makes it suitable for background music as well as hi-fi or home theater use. While it does not reach the deepest bass, this frequency range covers the essentials of the audible spectrum. For demanding hi-fi or home theater applications, pairing with a subwoofer is recommended to achieve full low-frequency extension.
The speakers enable full reproduction of immersive multichannel formats and add the vertical dimension to your home theater setup. This ability to handle modern audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, positions the IC6 as a relevant solution for contemporary installations where sound spatialization plays an increasingly important role.
Positioning within the Architect IN Range
The IC6 occupies a central position in the Architect IN series, between the IC4, the most compact model in the range, and the IC8, the largest version. This hierarchy results in significant differences in driver size and performance.
The IC4, with its 10 cm driver, offers a sensitivity of 84 dB and a frequency response starting at 85 Hz. The IC8, on the other hand, features a 21 cm driver that goes down to 55 Hz with a power handling of 125 W. The IC6 thus represents the ideal compromise for installations requiring more presence than the IC4 without the bulk of the IC8.
The IC6ST speaker is the only stereo model in the Architect IN range, featuring two directional tweeters for stereo sound from a single installation point. This variant meets specific needs where space or installation constraints limit the number of speakers.
