A symbol of renewal, the Elipson 402 Tribute honors the French manufacturer’s most iconic model. The result of a French collaboration between Elipson and Supravox, this model with its timeless spherical design boldly revisits an acoustic icon. Priced at €4,449 (per pair), this speaker entirely designed and manufactured in France embodies the perfect marriage of tradition and innovation, promising to unite past and present with brio.
Presentation
A historical speaker
Few speakers can claim to have left such a lasting mark on the history of high fidelity as the Elipson 402. Launched in the 60s by Elipson founder Joseph Léon, this speaker has become a true legend, prized by sound professionals and discerning audiophiles alike. It is part of an iconic series of spherical speakers released at the same time, alongside the compact Elipson 302, derived from the 1302 model, and the impressive Elipson 502. This spherical signature has become an emblem of the brand and continues to inspire Elipson’s contemporary designs, notably the popular Elipson Planet L and Elipson Planet M series.
More than just an aesthetic choice, this spherical shape offers specific acoustic properties: by eliminating standing waves, it considerably reduces distortion to guarantee a pure, uncolored sound reproduction. A technical feat for which Elipson is still renowned today.
A legendary design
While the Elipson 402 used a staff enclosure (concrete and plaster), the new 40cm-diameter sphere of the Elipson 402 Tribute is made using a unique molding process with silica-filled resin. This denser, more resistant alloy limits unwanted resonance and vibration thanks to ideal damping. Each speaker is molded in a single piece, eliminating any trace of assembly and providing an exemplary finish. The top of the speaker is crowned by an impressive, slender crest inspired by the Elipson Legacy 3230. It houses the tweeter, which is concealed behind a metal grille. The midbass driver can be left exposed or covered by a second magnetic metal grille embossed with the Elipson x Supravox logo.
The Elipson 402 Tribute speakers come with a pair of low, transparent acrylic stands. These stylish feet add a modern touch, raising the speakers by 28cm and making it seem as if they’re floating in mid-air. Placed on these stands, the speakers become a true work of art, whether they’re installed on a cabinet, a bookcase or alongside the TV. They can also be placed on the floor, toed-in towards the listener. Elipson also offers an optional taller stand (€999 per pair), enabling them to be raised by 88cm. Also made of transparent acrylic, they are just as graceful, although a little more stability could further optimize mechanical absorption. However, this is a minor detail that in no way detracts from the musicality of these iconic spheres.
A French collaboration
France’s oldest hi-fi brand has already revived one of the iconic models that earned it its reputation. For its 70th anniversary, the manufacturer paid tribute to the glorious BS50 of the 50s with the Elipson BS50 Tribute edition. The latter features the iconic shape and solutions employed by its predecessor, originally designed for the first sound and light show at the Château de Chambord.
To revive the iconic Elipson 402 from the 1960s, the French manufacturer naturally turned to Supravox, the French specialist behind the original model’s drivers. For this 2024 edition, the legend is given a new lease of life thanks to a perfected 6.5″ midbass driver. This model, developed by Supravox, uses a cellulose pulp cone renowned for its musicality and precision. Both rigid and very light, this cone is perfectly adapted to the load volume offered by the 402 Tribute. The driver is bass-reflex loaded via a rear port to effectively extend low-frequency reproduction down to 45Hz.
On top of the Elipson 402 Tribute is a 1.1″ soft dome tweeter. This larger-than-average diameter guarantees a larger radiating surface, reducing distortion and offering better power handling. Musical perception is also optimized across a wider listening area, attenuating the sweet spot effect and facilitating the integration of the speakers in the room. The tweeter is combined with a damped rear chamber to minimize interference and maximize fine detail. It is therefore capable of delivering a precise high-frequency reproduction up to 25kHz.
At the rear, the Elipson 402 Tribute speaker adopts a pair of screw-type terminals compatible with wide gauge cables, banana plugs and spade terminals. These are combined with a high-end crossover made from state-of-the-art components supplied by Jantzen Audio, a Danish manufacturer renowned for its expertise in passive speaker crossovers. For optimum audio signal transmission, these components are assembled point by point using Axon’s signature air wiring.
These solutions enable the Elipson 402 Tribute speaker to offer a linear response over a frequency range extending from 45Hz to 25kHz. It has a power handling capacity of 60W RMS, a sensitivity of 90 dB and an impedance of 8 ohms. They are very easy to power, enabling them to be combined with a wide range of amplifiers. What’s more, their high transparency allows them to reflect the sound of the associated amplifier without the slightest artifice.
Key specifications
- 1x 6.5″ Supravox midbass driver
- 1x 1.1″ dome tweeter with rear damping chamber
- Power handling: 60W RMS
- Frequency response: +/- 3 dB 45Hz to 25kHz
- Sensitivity: 90 dB
- Impedance: 8 ohms
- Dimensions without stand (hxd): 460 x 400mm
- Dimensions with stand (hxd): 540 x 430mm
- Weight: 15kg (without stand)
Listening conditions
Setting up the Elipson 402 Tribute speakers begins with the assembly of the included stand, or the optional stand if you’ve opted for this model. In both configurations, assembly is easy, as all you have to do is snap the two parts of the stand into their respective notches to obtain a stable and elegant base. The speaker can then be removed from the box and placed on its stand.
For this test, we enjoyed multiple listening sessions with a varied selection of electronics, from the Cayin Soul 170i and Cayin CS-805A tube amps for a warm, rich sound, to the Naim SuperNait 3 and Hegel H190v transistor models for more dynamism and impact. The source used was the EverSolo DMP-A8 network player for Hi-Res streaming from Qobuz, as well as playback of DSD files stored on the local network.
Listening impressions
The Elipson 402 Tribute speakers definitely lived up to their heritage. The soundstage was remarkably spacious, with a real sense of depth. Music unfolded holographically, placing each instrument in a perfectly defined three-dimensional space. This openness brilliantly reproduced the acoustics of the largest recording rooms. With Ravel’s Bolero performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, every nuance of the ensemble became palpable: the initial percussion unfolded with clean, airy hits, while the woodwinds, then the strings, gradually rose into a majestic sonic space. When the brass entered the stage, it filled the auditorium with a well-defined, gravelly texture and remarkable presence.
Extremely versatile, the Elipson 402 Tribute speaker managed to adapt to all musical genres. On an acoustic track with Jeff Buckley’s Hallelujah, the precision of the harmonics and the emotional depth of the vocals were revealed with striking intensity. The guitar flowed nimbly through the soundstage, and the tiniest reverberations from the strings were clearly perceptible. On rock tracks, notably with Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, the Elipson 402 Tribute was extremely dynamic, unleashing all the energy of the song. The majestic choruses seemed to extend far beyond the speakers, while the ample soundstage highlighted the complexity of the arrangements, without ever sacrificing clarity of detail.
With pop music like The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights, the Elipson 402 Tribute proved to be very balanced and lively. Bass was firm, punchy and impactful, providing excellent rhythmic support without being abyssal. They remained perfectly controlled, providing a good base without ever encroaching on other registers. The luminous highs of the keyboards stood out with remarkable clarity, although they were sometimes a little too bright during the more complex parts of the track. This in no way compromised the overall experience, and pairing the speakers with a warm amp such as the Cayin Soul 170i or Naim SuperNait ensured a consistently smooth and mellow listening experience.
Who are the Elipson 402 Tribute speakers for?
The Elipson 402 Tribute speakers will appeal to those seeking a balance between acoustic performance, iconic design and historical heritage. With their iconic spherical shape and transparent acrylic stand, these speakers will be equally at home in modern and classic interiors, becoming both a decorative centerpiece and a tool for musical enjoyment. They are capable of faithfully reproducing a wide variety of musical styles, from intimate acoustic ballads to the most complex orchestral pieces, from pop to rock, to meet all expectations.
Conclusion
With the Elipson 402 Tribute, the French brand succeeds in reinventing a legend without betraying the original intent. This tribute edition is as appealing for its timeless aesthetics as it is for its sonic performance. Music is conducted flawlessly, enhanced by a perfectly controlled tonal balance: tight, textured and impactful bass, a rich, opulent midrange, and crystal-clear highs imbued with remarkable finesse. The Elipson 402 Tribute captivates with its ability to reproduce the raw emotion of every note, while maintaining perfect sonic coherence. A triumphant return that proves legends are immortal!
We liked:
- The iconic spherical design
- The exemplary finish
- The accurate timbres
- The extremely spacious sound
- The impact of the perfectly sustained bass
We would have liked:
- For the highs to have been a little less harsh with certain electronics
- For the optional stand to have been more affordable
