The Planet M by Elipson is a spherical speaker measuring 15 cm in diameter. It follows in the tradition of Elipson’s round speakers and incorporates recent technologies to deliver quality sound in a compact format. It is equipped with a 10 cm 2-way coaxial driver and features a white lacquer finish. This speaker can be used in both a stereo setup and a multichannel home theater system.
The Elipson Planet M follows directly in the illustrious French acoustic tradition initiated by Joseph Léon in 1938. This ultra-compact speaker draws its roots from iconic models that have marked hi-fi history, notably the legendary BS50 from 1953 and the AS-30 from 1969, found in ORTF studios and French cultural institutions.
The spherical shape is not merely an aesthetic choice: it is a fundamental acoustic principle developed by Elipson for over 70 years. This perfect geometry eliminates unwanted resonances generated by the parallel walls of traditional speakers. Sound waves flow harmoniously across the internal curved surface, avoiding detrimental reflections that disturb the diaphragm. This design allows the driver to perform under optimal conditions, without coloration or harshness.
The Elipson Planet M adopts a particularly well-considered 2-way sealed-box architecture. The 10 cm coaxial driver is at the heart of this design: its treated paper cone reproduces the midrange and upper bass, while the 20 mm fabric dome tweeter, positioned at the center, handles treble reproduction up to 22 kHz.
This coaxial configuration offers a major advantage: it concentrates sound emission at a single point, creating perfect time coherence between the different frequency ranges. The soundstage gains in precision and consistency, with a particularly stable and natural stereo image.
The sealed enclosure used for this Planet M reflects a precise acoustic philosophy. Rather than forcing a 10 cm driver to extend artificially into the bass range at the expense of quality, Elipson has deliberately limited the frequency response from 90 Hz. This approach ensures faithful and controlled reproduction of upper bass, midrange, and treble, without compression or distortion.
The internal wiring deserves special attention: 99.99% pure OFC (Oxygen Free Copper) conductors ensure unaltered signal transmission. The silver-plated terminals, although accepting single wiring only, provide quality connectivity suited to amplifiers rated from 30 to 80 watts.
Listening to the Planet M quickly reveals the qualities that have made Elipson’s reputation. Its musical character is apparent from the very first notes: timbres are neutral and silky, free from any aggressiveness or artificial coloration. The particularly refined midrange reproduces voices with striking naturalness, while the treble provides precise detail without ever becoming intrusive.
The exceptional time coherence of this speaker results in a remarkably stable and precise soundstage. Instruments are positioned with a clarity that makes it easy to identify each source, creating surprising soundstage depth and width for a driver of this size.
This Planet M particularly excels at reproducing acoustic genres: jazz, chamber classical music, folk, and pop all find an ideal showcase here. The subtlety of dynamic nuances and tonal accuracy allow for extended listening without fatigue.
The use of a subwoofer is nevertheless essential for full reproduction of the musical spectrum. Elipson’s Planet Sub, specially developed to accompany the Planet M, ensures a harmonious transition around 90-100 Hz, naturally completing the bass range without altering the overall tonal balance.
The Planet M’s compactness is one of its major strengths. With its 15 cm diameter and weight of just 1.7 kg, it fits into any space, from the smallest to the most spacious. The supplied circular base enables stable placement on any flat surface, while optional wall and ceiling mounts open up new installation possibilities.
This installation versatility is particularly valuable in a home theater configuration. The Planet M can therefore be used as surround, center, or even main speakers depending on room size and the desired configuration. Their consistent directivity and balanced response make them easy to integrate into demanding multichannel systems.
The sealed enclosure allows placement close to walls without detrimental proximity effects. This feature greatly simplifies installation, particularly in confined spaces where every centimeter counts.
The Elipson Planet M reflects French manufacturing excellence. Every unit undergoes rigorous quality control, evident from the moment it is handled: its solidity and precision assembly inspire confidence and promise durability.
The spherical enclosure, produced using Elipson’s traditional techniques, offers perfect uniformity. The wall thickness, calculated to optimize internal damping, contributes to the system’s acoustic neutrality. The glossy lacquer, applied in several layers, offers remarkable depth and brilliance.
The internal components reveal the same attention to detail. The coaxial driver, specially developed for this application, incorporates premium materials: a treated paper cone for its damping qualities, a fabric dome for smooth treble, and a vented voice coil for power handling.
Even the packaging reflects the care given to the product: each Planet M is supplied with white gloves to avoid marks during handling, a detail that reveals the attention paid to presentation and product protection.
While retaining Elipson’s historic aesthetic codes, the Planet M incorporates contemporary technical innovations. The coaxial driver benefits from the latest advances in materials and geometry, optimizing frequency response and distortion.
The sealed enclosure is the result of advanced acoustic modeling, with an internal volume calculated to the nearest milliliter to optimize transient response. The precisely measured internal damping eliminates unwanted resonances without stifling dynamics.
The base design also deserves mention: its geometry avoids contact resonances while ensuring perfect stability. Rubber inserts damp vibrations and protect supporting surfaces.
This modern technological approach, combined with Elipson’s traditional expertise, positions the Planet M as a successful synthesis of heritage and innovation, preserving the brand’s musical soul while meeting contemporary requirements.
For a complete music listening experience, adding a subwoofer is highly recommended. The Planet M reaches down to 90 Hz, perfectly covering upper bass, midrange and treble frequencies. Elipson’s Planet Sub, developed specifically for this range, ensures a smooth transition and ideally complements the low-frequency range. For listening focused on vocals and acoustic music, however, the Planet M can be used on its own.
Elipson recommends 30 to 80 watts of power to optimally drive the Planet M. This range allows you to fully exploit the speaker’s dynamic capabilities without any risk of distortion. A quality 40-50 watt amplifier is generally ideal for most home listening setups.
The Planet M is the ultra-compact version of the Planet L. It uses the same acoustic principles (spherical enclosure, coaxial driver) in a format 50% smaller. The Planet L offers bass extension down to 48 Hz and is suited to larger rooms, while the Planet M prioritizes discretion and requires a subwoofer for bass. The choice essentially depends on the available space and the desired setup.
In addition to glossy white, the Planet M is available in several finishes: glossy black, glossy red, glossy gold, as well as matte Mercury Ice, Neptune Stone and Saturn Dust finishes. These different options make it possible to adapt its appearance to any interior, from the most classic to the most contemporary.
Absolutely. Its coaxial design and balanced response make it an excellent center speaker. Its compact size makes it easy to integrate beneath a screen, while its neutrality ensures faithful dialogue reproduction. In a 5.1 configuration, its consistency with the other Planet M speakers guarantees optimal acoustic coherence across all channels.
Elipson offers a dedicated wall mount (Wall Mount) specially designed for the Planet M. This mount allows optimal positioning while preserving the speaker’s spherical aesthetic. It ensures secure mounting and offers adjustment options to optimize directivity according to the listening configuration.
Manuel
Very nice speaker, no doubt about it. Used as a center speaker it's perfect. I will probably buy more to complete a small system in my bedroom.
Comment from February 05, 2024 — Experience from February 17, 2022
