Audio Physic Classic 3
The Classic 3 combines an open, precise soundstage with vivid vocal focus and surprisingly punchy bass from its slim cabinet. Lite MAGAZIN found its imaging detached beautifully from the speakers, while clean layering, agile dynamics and full-bodied detail make this an especially compelling compact for small to medium rooms.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
90/100
Build Quality
92/100
Value for Money
92/100
Pros
Expansive, sharply layered imaging that detaches convincingly from the cabinets.
Articulate, tangible vocal reproduction with strong detail and a full-bodied presentation.
Rich, punchy low frequencies and composed handling of abrupt dynamic shifts.
Slim, elegant cabinet with flawless workmanship and substantial build.
Cons
Short terminal clamps can make cable connection awkward.
Single-wiring terminals only; bi-wiring is not supported.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
The Classic 3 is described as a highly cohesive, detailed and lively compact speaker, with especially convincing spatial presentation and vocal communication. Its forceful low end and composure through abrupt musical shifts give the presentation more scale than its slim two-way format suggests.
Bass
89/100
Lite MAGAZIN heard a powerful, rich low-frequency punch from the opening of its test material. For a speaker using a 6.7-inch midwoofer, that suggests substantial weight and impact, although the review does not explore ultimate extension or bass texture in depth.
Mid
91/100
Vocal reproduction is singled out as a particular strength. Softly breathed words and full-voice singing were rendered with pinpoint precision, while the overall presentation was praised as full-bodied and tangible.
Treble
84/100
The review praises high detail and a nuanced presentation, but offers little direct comment on treble tone, extension or long-term smoothness. There is no reported glare or harshness, though this area is not examined in detail.
Soundstage Imaging
94/100
Spatial performance is a standout: the stage was said to detach clearly from the cabinets, with clean layering and reliable central vocal placement. The reviewer found the imaging equally convincing with studio and live recordings.
Dynamics
90/100
The Classic 3 remained composed when the music changed abruptly, with its harmonious voicing described as ready for anything. Its rich, punchy opening also points to satisfying transient energy for a compact stand-mount.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
92/100
Lite MAGAZIN calls the workmanship flawless and describes the slender cabinet as solidly built. At roughly seven kilograms, it also gave the reviewer an impression of reassuring substance rather than lightweight construction.
Value for Money
92/100
At the reviewed pair price of €1,190, Lite MAGAZIN awarded the Classic 3 a “very good” price/performance verdict. That is strong praise in a competitive premium stand-mount market, particularly given the reported finish, imaging and overall sonic refinement.
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Specifications
- Height
- 350 mm / 13.8"
- Width
- 170 mm / 6.7"
- Depth
- 285 mm / 11.2"
- Required Space Width x Depth
- 170 x 285 mm / 6.7 x 11.2"
- Weight
- ~ 7 kg
- Recommended amplifier power
- 20-120 W
- Impedance
- 4 Ohm
- Frequency range
- 45 Hz - 30 kHz
- Sensitivity
- 89 dB
- Tweeter
- 8/9" Soft Dome
- Midwoofer
- 6.7" Glass Fibre Cone
- Accesories
- Fabric Grill Black
Manufacturer's Description — Audio Physic
Only reality itself sounds so real - but often it doesn't even look as promising
Sometimes less can indeed be more – if done right. Therefore, we designed our new bookshelf speaker Classic 3 without any compromise and included all the technical subtleties of our Classic range in this very compact box.
For instance, the Classic 3 uses the same custom-designed drivers as its larger sibling Classic 8: The powerful mid-woofer features a cone made from woven glass fibre, combining low weight with high internal damping. Sound-disrupting partial oscillations of the cone are thereby effectively prevented. The fixed phase plug reduces compression effects in the crucial mid-range and plays an important part in cooling the substantial magnetic motor during operation.
The tweeter excels with a silk dome and resides in a small horn-shaped indentation to subtly adjust the sound radiation behaviour around the crossover frequency between mid and high frequencies. This way, the spatial image remains wide, balanced and precise, even if the listener is seated somewhat outside the so-called sweet spot. The Classic 3’s crossover network has also been designed with no holds barred – like the Classic 8, it uses a direct-wired crossover network with audiophile-grade components instead of an inferior circuit board design more commonly found in a speaker of this size and price.
Build quality is also what you would expect from a speaker bearing the Audio Physic marque, with a solid cabinet build to the highest standards of craftsmanship. The baffle has been kept as slim as possible, reducing the bookshelf speaker’s visual impact and, more importantly, minimizing unwanted reflection and diffraction issues around the drivers. Depending on how and where you want to use your Classic 3, we highly recommend our optional Vibration Control Feet Audio Physic VCF II PLUS COMPONENT. These feet protect delicate surfaces and decouple the speaker from the floor or furniture, lifting sound performance to entirely new levels.
The Classic 3 might be our smallest speaker, but it is most definitively a true Audio Physic speaker with the sound and the build quality Hifi-Fans all over the world have come to expect from us. Ask a specialist Audio Physic retailer near you for a demonstration – and be prepared to be amazed!
Optional speaker stands from Liedtke-Metalldesign can be found at: https://www.liedtke-metalldesign.eu/epages/64011114.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/64011114/Products/LM-AP-C2
2-Way Design
The 2-way speaker features two different drivers that share reproduction of the entire frequency range – one mid-woofer (in the case of center speakers, often two of them) and a tweeter. Usually the crossover frequency is set between 2,000Hz and 3,000Hz.
VCF – Vibration Control Feet optional
The best feet for our – and other – speakers. VCF provide a substantial improvement of sound performance by reducing transfer of unwanted vibrations while at the same time protecting delicate surfaces. Also available as VCF Component for Hi-Fi separates and as VCF Cable Supports.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Audio Physic Classic 3
- In Living Stereo — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Altitudo Audio — online and in-store — Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (website)
- Audio Art — in-store — London, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Audio Connexion — online — Germany (website)
- Audio Element — in-store — Pasadena, California, United States (website)
- Audio Magic - EU — online and in-store — Wola, Województwo mazowieckie, Poland (website)
- Audio Nexus — in-store — Summit, New Jersey, United States (website)
- Audio Vision San Francisco — online and in-store — San Francisco, California, United States (website)
- Audiofrenzy BV — in-store — Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands (website)
and 39 more verified dealers