The most compact model in the Heritage range, the Elipson Heritage XLS 7 speaker has the timeless vintage design of the XLS 15 and XLS 11 in bookshelf format. Can it bring music to life with the same charm as its award-winning counterparts, while managing to fit more easily into the living room?
Presentation
Concept and design
As the little sisters of the Elipson Heritage XLS 15 and XLS 11, which won the Haute Fidélité and Diapason awards for the XLS 15 and the Ear Best Buy label for the XLS 11, the Elipson Heritage XLS 7 speakers have the same elegant vintage aesthetic. These models, which have also won HiFi Choice awards, take us back to the 60s and 70s, inspired by classics such as the Celestion Ditton 551, JBL 4312 and Pioneer HPM-100. They retain the same style, with a walnut finish and a white cone driver, but in a more compact format: 22.5cm wide, 38cm high and 25cm deep. This makes them easier to integrate into small rooms (up to 25m²). What’s more, their front port means they can be placed directly against a wall or in a bookcase without compromising the sound reproduction.
The various external surfaces of the Elipson Heritage XLS 7 speaker are finished in a realistic walnut grain, while the front is painted black. The French manufacturer has also retained the dark fabric acoustic grille adorned with the Elipson logo. The magnetic fastening system is still in place, to facilitate removal of the grille and keep the front panel free of unsightly notches. This combination of materials, which already won us over when we tested the Elipson Heritage XLS 15 and Elipson Heritage XLS 11 speakers, guarantees perfect visual harmony within the Heritage range and allows the Elipson Heritage XLS 7 to be used as surround speakers with other models in the range.
Acoustic design
Unlike previous models in the range, which adopt a 3-way design, the Elipson Heritage XLS7 speaker is based on a more classic 2-way architecture. For greater compactness, the 12″ woofer of the XLS 15 and 8.3″ driver of the XLS 11 are replaced by a 6.5″ midbass driver. The retro composition of its cellulose-fiber cone remains unchanged. This results in a light yet rigid surface, capable of moving air quickly and efficiently. What’s more, the French manufacturer has made the magnet assembly bigger to optimize motion control, enabling this bookshelf speaker to reach low frequencies of 49Hz.
For high frequencies, the Elipson Heritage XLS 7 keeps the 0.9″ silk dome tweeter of its predecessors. This model, directly inherited from the French manufacturer’s prestigious Prestige Facet range, ensures excellent transient performance and perfect control of high frequencies up to 25kHz. As a result, the Elipson Heritage XLS 7 promises the same finesse and smoothness in the highs as its predecessors. What’s more, the rear cavity is damped to minimize distortion and resonance.
Like the 70s models from which it draws its inspiration, the Elipson Heritage XLS 7 speaker lets you adjust the high frequency response to suit your preferences, the source or the listening room. To do this, it incorporates a selector on the front panel that modulates the treble response by + or – 2 dB. Thanks to this feature, it’s possible to bring out the micro-details of stringed instruments or, on the contrary, to attenuate electronics that have a tendency to accentuate the highs, ensuring that the sound is always balanced.
Installing the Elipson Heritage XLS 7 speakers
The Elipson Heritage XLS 7 speakers can be installed on a piece of furniture, in a bookcase or on dedicated stands. In this configuration, we warmly recommend NorStone Alvä stands, which share the same wood finish.
For this review, we used the Cayin CS-55A KT88 tube amplifier, which proved particularly convincing in its warm reproduction with the Elipson Heritage XLS 7. After that, we connected the more dynamic and lively Cambridge CXA81 and Hegel H95 transistor amplifiers. The sources used were the Bluesound Node (2021) and Eversolo DMP-A6 network players for playing Hi-Res music from Qobuz.
Listening impressions
The Elipson Heritage XLS 7 speaker has retained the warm, jovial character that made its predecessors such a success, while adding clarity. Like its predecessors, it avoids excessive neutrality in favor of a more fun, open reproduction. On Anette Askvik’s Liberty, the XLS 7’s rich midrange offered a natural and accurate reproduction of the singer’s voice. It emerged from the center of the soundstage with softness and extreme delicacy. The music was calm and soothing, full of numerous nuances that were reproduced with great finesse. The saxophone had multiple textures and was embodied with a remarkable presence for bookshelf speakers.
Despite its smaller 6.5″ driver, the Elipson Heritage XLS 7 speaker managed to maintain a balanced reproduction, with good bass presence. Naturally, the low frequencies were less extensive than with the XLS 11 or 15, but in no way became frustrating. They were remarkably powerful for the size of the speakers, and remained tight without dragging. They blended perfectly with the other frequencies.
On Dire Straits’ Brothers in Arms, the increased clarity offered by the Elipson Heritage XLS 7 speakers benefited the electric guitar, which was effectively brought to the fore. The strumming was reproduced with exemplary clarity and smoothness. The soundstage, though slightly narrower than with the XLS 11 and 15, remained ample, bringing air and openness to the music. The sonic message was clear, with good separation of every detail.
Which Elipson Heritage speaker is right for you?
The Elipson Heritage range is now complete to meet all configurations and needs. The Elipson Heritage XLS 7 bookshelves are the most accessible option for discovering the capabilities of this iconic series. They are perfect for living rooms of less than 25/30m², or for reproducing surround effects in conjunction with other Elipson Heritage speakers. For larger living rooms, we recommend combining them with a subwoofer, or choosing the XLS 11 or XLS 15 models. The XLS 11 is ideal for medium-sized rooms, up to 40/50m², while the XLS 15 is the ideal solution for large spaces or for those who prefer ultra-deep bass.
Conclusion
With the Elipson Heritage XLS 7 speakers, the French manufacturer offers an excellent alternative for enjoying vintage speakers worthy of the 70s, without the bulkly design. They operate with the same timeless charm as previous models in the Heritage range, but with a more compact format for easier integration and a more affordable price tag. The modern acoustic design ensures a warm, balanced and jovial listening experience. Instruments are brought to life with great realism in a full soundstage, accompanied by textured vocals. A total success for a pair of speakers costing less than €800!
We liked:
- The excellent vintage design
- The fun reproduction
- The wide, spacious soundstage
- The price
We would have liked:
- Slightly deeper bass
