Unveiled at the 2023 Paris Audio Video Show, the Elipson W35 Xi speaker is the successor to the popular Elipson W35+. This 2023 connected Elipson speaker now features AirPlay 2 and Chromecast compatibility, as well as access to many streaming services such as Spotify, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer and thousands of web radios. The acoustic design has been refined, promising an even more precise reproduction and the same immersive sound thanks to the spherical design. Sold for €699, the Elipson W35 Xi speaker promises to be an excellent upgrade to one of the French brand’s most esteemed models.
Elipson W35 Xi: packaging and accessories
The Elipson W35 Xi connected speaker comes in a square box and is held in place by two pieces of polystyrene. It is protected inside a large white synthetic fabric pouch. It comes with a power cable, a 3.5mm stereo mini-jack cable and six rubber pads to decouple it from the stand on which it is placed. The Elipson W35 Xi speaker can also be placed on its optional Elipson W35 Tripod or Elipson Stand.
Elipson W35 Xi: presentation
Design
The Elipson W35 Xi still has the spherical shape that is characteristic of the Elipson W35 and Elipson W35+ models. This design has been a trademark of the French manufacturer since the 1950s and was first introduced with the Elipson BS50 speaker. This solution was then used for numerous models, including the Elipson AS-30 in the 60s, as well as the Elipson Planet L and Elipson Planet M speakers towards the end of the 2000s. As well as its undeniable visual appeal, this round design also significantly reduces internal resonance and minimizes distortion.
To create this distinctive spherical shape, the Elipson W35 Xi uses an ABS chassis with a diameter of 35cm. A central band separates the speaker into two parts. The left and right sides are covered by black acoustic fabric, giving the Elipson W35 Xi a futuristic and minimalist look. This design means the speaker looks good in any interior.
On the top of the Elipson W35 Xi speaker is a control interface. The different buttons let you control music playback, adjust the volume, activate Bluetooth pairing and select the source. For ease of use, an LED changes color depending on the source: white for the network, blue for Bluetooth, green for the auxiliary input and yellow for the optical input.
The French manufacturer has chosen not to include a remote control, favoring the Elipson mobile app for iOS and Android. An adaptation of the LinkPlay app, it provides access to compatible steaming services and music shared over the local network, and allows you to create Elipson multi-room groups and activate the presets depending on the music genre.
Acoustic design
The acoustic structure of the Elipson W35 Xi speaker is largely the same, with the same four drivers as the W35+. There are two 1” silk dome tweeters and two 6.5” midbass drivers. However, the latter are better exploited thanks to the work carried out by the French manufacturer on the external grilles for this new model. The result is greater presence in the midrange and improved tweeter performance, providing more clarity and legibility in the highs and upper midrange.
The drivers of the Elipson W35 Xi are cleverly positioned on either side of its central ring. The two midbass drivers are oriented to the right and left, while the two tweeters, which are more directional, are directed more towards the listening area. This configuration enhances the stereo effect and extends diffusion, enabling a wide area to be covered. This capacity is also due to the very high power rating of 350 watts RMS that powers the various drivers. This Elipson connected speaker can therefore express itself without the slightest difficulty in very large rooms.
Wireless connectivity
Primarily designed for wireless use, the Elipson W35 Xi speaker’s potential is multiplied when connected to a WiFi or Ethernet network. Based on a LinkPlay ecosystem, this speaker can access web radios from all over the world, as well as the main streaming services, including Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, Napster, Tidal and Qobuz. DLNA playback of shared tracks from a computer or NAS server is also possible. The integrated DAC supports most audio formats (MP3, WMA, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, AAC) up to a very high resolution of 24-bit/192kHz, allowing you to enjoy your Hi-Res library to the full.
In addition, the Elipson W35 Xi speaker now supports the AirPlay 2 protocol, making it possible to stream directly from an Apple device (iPhone, iPad or Mac). For Android users and others, the Elipson W35 Xi speaker benefits from a built-in Bluetooth 5.0 receiver and Chromecast. As a result, the Elipson W35 Xi is able to stream music saved to the source device or from a service that isn’t natively compatible with the device, such as YouTube Music.
Wired connections
In addition to its many streaming options, the Elipson W35 Xi speaker can also be connected to physical sources. It features a 3.5mm mini-jack aux input to connect a preamplified turntable or HD DAP, for example. The optical input makes it easy to connect a digital source such as a CD player or TV. However, association with the latter would have been easier with an HDMI eARC/ARC input, as has become customary on many speakers: the Marshall Woburn 3 BT, Sonus Faber Omnia or KEF LSX 2, for example. As a result, it is primarily intended for music listening sessions.
Multi-room
From the Elipson app, it is possible to connect two Elipson W35 Xi speakers to create a stereo pair. To enjoy multi-room music throughout the home, it is possible to associate up to 10 compatible Elipson devices: Elipson Connect 250, Elipson WM Multiroom, Elipson Stream S300 XI and the entire Elipson W35 range. The various speakers communicate without latency or interference. For Apple users, AirPlay 2 can be used for multi-room playback. It is possible to enjoy music in every room, with separate volume control and settings for each zone. The same goes for fans of the Android ecosystem, via the Chromecast protocol and the Google Home app.
Elipson W35 Xi: key specifications
- AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Bluetooth
- Streaming services
- Web radios
- Optical and mini-jack input
- 4 x drivers
- 350W RMS
- Optical and mini-jack inputs
- Diameter: 35cm
Elipson W35 Xi: configuration
Once connected to the mains, the Elipson W35 Xi speaker can be used immediately with Bluetooth or via its wired inputs. To enjoy streaming, it is necessary to connect the speaker to the Ethernet or WiFi network. For the latter, you simply have to put the Elipson W35 Xi in WiFi mode by pressing the source button until the LED flashes white.
The rest of the procedure is carried out from the Elipson app. When it is first opened, it scans to detect any speakers that are already configured. After a few seconds, an “Add device” button appears at the bottom of the screen, enabling the Elipson W35 Xi to be connected to the network. Finally, it’s possible to rename the speaker, specify the room in which it is installed and associate your various streaming services.
Elipson W35 Xi: listening impressions
The Elipson W35 Xi connected speaker impressed us with its ability to diffuse sound throughout the entire room. With Pink Floyd’s album The Dark Side of the Moon, the soundstage was vast, effectively filling the space. The Elipson W35 Xi speaker wasn’t directive, favoring an enveloping soundstage that ensured a perfect perception of the music, without necessarily having to be directly opposite the speaker. As a result, it is much easier to position than its predecessor, which was criticized for being too directive. Placed on any piece of furniture in the living room, the Elipson W35 Xi ensures equal enjoyment of music in every corner of the room.
This acoustic redesign by the French manufacturer reinforces the presence of the upper mids. Whereas the latter was sometimes somewhat discreet on the previous version, here it is slightly more prominent. This contributes to a more flattering reproduction of the vocals, which gain in legibility and clarity. On Billie Eilish’s Your Power, the Elipson W35 Xi delivered an incredible reproduction, with excellent spectral balance. The singer’s voice was rendered smoothly and naturally at the center of a wide, spacious soundstage. The acoustic guitar that accompanies the song was reproduced with a clarity that ensured every pluck of the strings could be heard.
With various tracks by Dire Straits, the Elipson W35 Xi speaker offered excellent dynamism to effectively rhythm the music. The drums benefited from a captivating light, making each hit feel palpable. The guitar moved through space with agility and ease, effectively filling the room with an electric atmosphere. Mark Knopfler’s voice was slightly enhanced, allowing it to take center stage with clarity. It was audible, but sometimes sounded muffled when the music contains a lot of other information. It’s a pity that the app doesn’t offer a customizable equalizer to increase the low-mids and rebalance the listening experience. The has manufacturer assured us, however, that this feature will be added in the near future.
Thanks to its two 6.5” drivers, the Elipson W35 Xi speaker was very generous in the lows. With Daft Punk’s album Random Access Memories, the W35 Xi delivered powerful, tight bass. Without being abyssal, they were structured and perfectly controlled. There was no lag or bloat.
Elipson W35 Xi: compared to…
Devialet Phantom II 95 dB: available for €999, this Devialet speaker has a more compact format, allowing for easier installation. This small French speaker provides deeper and more powerful lows that will delight fans of electronic or urban music. However, the Elipson W35 Xi displays better balance, for a more natural reproduction.
Sonos Five: sold for €699, the Sonos Five speaker reproduces music with more authority and generosity in the lows. That said, it is more directive and can’t fill the space as well as the Elipson W35 Xi. The Sonos app is a little more intuitive and lets iOS users carry out an acoustic calibration. A wider range of streaming services can be accessed, but streaming is limited to AirPlay 2.
Elipson W35 Xi: who is it for?
The Elipson W35 Xi speaker is ideal for enjoying a harmonious music reproduction throughout the listening space. Its round design creates an enveloping soundstage to achieve the same sound in each corner of the room. The sound literally seems to follow the listener around the room, ensuring that you always enjoy the current musical ambience. The Elipson W35 Xi speaker is also very easy to use, and is equally suitable for streaming or listening to wired sources.
Elipson W35 Xi: conclusion
With the new Elipson W35 Xi, the French manufacturer has perfected its most popular connected speaker, both in regard to functionality and musicality. The acoustic adjustments may seem minor on paper, but they make a big difference to the listening experience, with a stronger presence in the upper midrange, more natural vocals and greater clarity at the top end of the spectrum. The real tour de force of this connected speaker lies in its ability to create a very wide, enveloping soundstage, bathing the room in an overall well-balanced, natural sound. All that’s missing is a customizable equalizer (update planned) to boost the low mids and make this one of the best connected speakers in its category!
We liked
- The spacious, airy soundstage
- The clear vocals
- The ease of use
Nous aurions aimé
- Stronger low-mids
- A customizable equalizer
- An HDMI ARC input
