The Elipson IC8 Ultra Slim in-wall speaker features a compact design with a thickness of just 50 mm. It incorporates a three-way, five-driver configuration in a reduced format. Drawing on Elipson’s French expertise, active since 1938, this model aims to combine acoustic performance with architectural integration in spaces with significant technical constraints.
The architecture of the IC8 Ultra Slim is based on a particularly original acoustic configuration. Unlike conventional in-wall speakers that favor fewer, larger-diameter drivers, Elipson has chosen to integrate five drivers into this ultra-slim model. This multi-driver approach includes three 76 mm paper-cone woofers with rubber surrounds, one 76 mm paper-cone midrange driver with a fabric surround, and a 20 mm silk dome tweeter.
Multiplying the number of woofers offers several technical advantages. It allows for a large total radiating surface despite the small diameter of each individual driver. This configuration promotes better distribution of mechanical and thermal load, thereby reducing distortion at high power. The three woofers work in synergy to effectively cover the 95 Hz – 500 Hz range, while the dedicated midrange driver ensures a smooth transition to the tweeter.
The choice of paper as the diaphragm material for the four main drivers is no coincidence. This traditional material, combined with differentiated surrounds (rubber for the woofers, fabric for the midrange), offers a remarkable balance between lightness, rigidity, and internal damping. The 20 mm silk dome tweeter, meanwhile, ensures a smooth and natural high-frequency reproduction, characteristic of Elipson’s sound signature.
The IC8 Ultra Slim was designed to meet the challenges of modern installations where mounting depth is limited. With its mere 50 mm thickness, it can be installed in suspended ceilings or partitions where conventional models cannot fit. The total diameter of 272 mm and cutout diameter of 242 mm remain within standard proportions, making integration easy without major structural modifications.
Compatibility with immersive audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X positions the IC8 Ultra Slim as a relevant solution for contemporary home theater setups. These technologies leverage the vertical dimension of sound, creating a three-dimensional sound bubble around listeners. The speaker can thus serve as a ceiling (height) speaker in a 5.1.2, 7.1.2, or 7.1.4 configuration, adding that crucial vertical dimension for realistic spatialization of sound effects.
The nominal impedance of 8 ohms ensures universal compatibility with virtually all hi-fi and home theater amplifiers on the market. The sensitivity of 88 dB/1W/1m, while not exceptional, is sufficient for use with moderately powered amplifiers. The 70-watt RMS power handling provides a comfortable safety margin for most home and professional applications.
Attention to finishing details reflects Elipson’s commitment to quality. The white protective grille is magnetically attached, making it easy to remove for maintenance or customization. This grille can be painted to blend perfectly with the surrounding décor—a particularly appreciated feature in carefully designed architectural installations.
The black-finished chassis ensures maximum discretion once the speaker is installed. The deployable tab mounting system guarantees secure and stable installation in various types of supports, whether plasterboard, suspended ceilings, or lightweight partitions.
A notable detail mentioned by some users is the absence of acoustic fabric behind the grille. While this may allow the internal structure of the speaker to be slightly visible when the grille remains white, it does not affect acoustic performance and can even be considered a deliberate technical choice to minimize obstacles in the path of sound waves.
The versatility of the IC8 Ultra Slim is evident in the variety of possible applications. In residential settings, it naturally finds its place as a surround or height speaker in home theater setups, but also as a main speaker in multiroom hi-fi systems where discretion is paramount.
Professional spaces are another ideal environment for this model. Conference rooms, auditoriums, restaurants, shops, hotels, educational institutions—all are settings where sound quality must be paired with flawless architectural integration. The extended frequency response from 95 Hz to 20 kHz ensures balanced reproduction for both music playback and speech intelligibility.
The low weight of 1.6 kg per speaker makes handling during installation easy and limits stress on supporting structures—a significant advantage in multiple installations or lightweight suspended ceilings.
What is the main technical feature that sets the IC8 Ultra Slim apart from other in-wall speakers?
Its unique configuration with five drivers (three woofers, one midrange, one tweeter) in a thickness of just 50 mm is an original technical approach. This multi-driver architecture provides a large radiating surface and better distribution of mechanical load, thus optimizing performance in an ultra-compact format.
Can the grille be replaced with a square model?
Elipson does indeed offer a square grille, referenced as IN SQ8, specifically designed for this model. This option allows you to harmonize the installation with an interior design that favors straight lines or to match other square-shaped in-wall elements.
What is the minimum recommended amplification for the IC8 Ultra Slim?
With a sensitivity of 88 dB, an amplifier of at least 30 watts per channel is recommended for comfortable listening levels. To fully exploit the speaker’s dynamic potential, especially in home theater, a power output of 50 to 70 watts per channel is ideal.
Are the diaphragm materials (paper and silk) durable over time?
The treated paper used for the woofers and midrange drivers, combined with rubber and fabric surrounds, offers excellent longevity when the speaker is used under normal conditions. The silk dome tweeter, a premium material in high-fidelity audio, ensures stable performance over many years without hardening or alteration of sound characteristics.
Does installation require any special technical skills?
Installation is accessible to a skilled DIYer. The deployable tab mounting system simplifies the process. The main precautions are to respect the cutout diameter (242 mm) and to check the available space behind the mounting surface (minimum 50 mm). A cutting template is generally provided to facilitate the operation.
How can placement be optimized for Dolby Atmos use?
For optimal Atmos configuration, the IC8 Ultra Slim speakers should be positioned on the ceiling, slightly in front of the main listening position (about an 80° vertical angle from the listening point). The lateral spacing should roughly match that of the main front speakers. This arrangement creates coherent sound coverage and maximizes the vertical immersion effect characteristic of Dolby Atmos.
Christian
Very good product, easy installation, very shallow (pay attention to the diameter).
Comment from March 20, 2023 — Experience from March 09, 2023
Jerome
Does a very good job in Atmos mode.
However, they are delivered without acoustic fabric inside, so if you repaint them black there's no problem, but if you leave them white, you will slightly see the black of the speaker underneath, giving a feeling of a dirty white.
Comment from May 09, 2019 — Experience from April 12, 2019
