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Audio Physic Codex
A speaker for true live feeling
Audio Physic presents the new Codex. This award-winning loudspeaker features the revolutionary PowerTrain® technology, along with the latest generations of our drivers – the HHCT V tweeter and the HHCM V SL midrange driver. As a result, the Codex delivers unmatched performance in its class in terms of resolution and spatial imaging. Its elegant and minimalist design remains unchanged.
Excellent music reproduction and refined living spaces often exist in a certain tension. Deep-reaching bass and a solid foundation require a certain enclosure volume. The CODEX masters this balancing act thanks to its intelligent cabinet architecture. Despite its volume, this four-way loudspeaker radiates stylish elegance with its clean lines and slim baffle. Especially in the exquisite high-gloss glass finish, combined with light color schemes, the speakers appear almost weightless.
Particular attention was paid to the internal structure of the enclosure, as only a very rigid cabinet provides the foundation for uncolored and highly detailed sound reproduction. Numerous internal bracings and exceptionally stiff elements made from open-pore ceramic foam give the CODEX cabinet outstanding stability without noticeably reducing internal volume. The sandwich construction of the enclosure, featuring a permanently elastic intermediate layer (bonding), ensures optimal damping. This effectively prevents any unwanted resonances or “acoustic self-noise” of the cabinet.
The CODEX’s woofer is positioned inside the enclosure and operates within its own optimally tuned chamber. The 27 cm long-throw driver is extremely powerful and reproduces the lowest frequencies effortlessly. From 100 Hz onwards, it hands over to an 18 cm driver mounted in the front baffle. This division of labor ensures bass reproduction remains controlled and authoritative under all conditions. Additionally, the CODEX offers significantly greater flexibility in placement than conventional loudspeakers, delivering clean, well-structured bass even when positioned close to walls.
The clarity in the lower octaves forms the basis for the exemplary neutrality and precision in the midrange and treble. Here, the groundbreaking Hyper Holographic Cone Tweeter (HHCT V), now in its fifth generation, and the new HHCM V SL midrange driver are employed. Thanks to its special surround design, the midrange driver operates without a conventional spider, resulting in a much more airflow-optimized structure behind the RECOTec diaphragm and effectively preventing compression effects.
The innovative driver mounting significantly reduces sonic interference caused by micro-vibrations, as the drivers have no direct contact with the speaker’s baffle. This prevents stray vibrations—so-called partial oscillations—from affecting sound reproduction. In addition, each driver is housed in its own dedicated chamber within the CODEX enclosure, eliminating interactions via the internal air volume. For maximum signal integrity, the crossover is distributed across multiple levels, equipped with premium components, and positioned in close proximity to the respective drivers.
Attention to detail is also evident in the CODEX’s terminal panel, which features high-quality WBT nextgen™ binding posts. The terminal itself is mechanically decoupled from the cabinet. The sum of all these details makes the CODEX a truly full-grown loudspeaker—true to the Audio Physic motto:
Nothing but Music
4-Way Design
The 4-way speaker features four different drivers that share reproduction of the entire frequency range. One or more subwoofers, one or more woofers, a midrange and a tweeter. Usually the crossover frequency between subwoofer and woofer is set at around 100Hz, while low and mid frequencies are separated between 250Hz and 400Hz, and the crossover frequency between midrange and tweeter is normally set at 2,000Hz to 3,000Hz.
HHCM V SL
HHCM V SL – The Fifth Generation. A New Reference in Midrange Performance.
For many years, the spiderless HHCM SL has stood for absolute precision and naturalness in music reproduction. With the fifth generation – the HHCM V SL+ – we have consistently advanced this philosophy, elevating sonic performance to an entirely new level. The result is a listening experience that is more engaging and closer to reality than ever before.
At the heart of this development is the innovative RECOTec diaphragm material: a carbon fiber mesh embedded in a polypropylene matrix. This unique material combination unites maximum stiffness with perfect internal damping, enabling a midrange that sounds more open, dynamic, and authentic than ever. Voices, instruments, and the finest nuances unfold with breathtaking naturalness.
Experience music in a new dimension – precise, transparent, and full of emotion.
HHCT V
HHCT V – The Fifth Generation. A New Reference in High-Frequency Performance.
For many years, Audio Physic’s cone tweeters have stood for exceptional precision and naturalness in high-frequency reproduction. With the fifth generation – the HHCT V – we have consistently advanced this philosophy, elevating treble performance to an entirely new level. The result is a listening experience that reveals more detail and realism than ever before.
At the heart of this development is, once again, the innovative RECOTec cone material: a carbon fiber mesh embedded in a polypropylene matrix. This unique material combination unites maximum stiffness with optimal internal damping, enabling treble reproduction that is more open, refined, and authentic than ever. The finest nuances, delicate overtones, and the airiness of a recording unfold with breathtaking naturalness.
RECOTec Membrane
RECOTec – The membrane material of the future
With RECOTec , a completely new type of membrane material has been developed: a chaotically arranged carbon fiber scrim, embedded in a high-purity polypropylene matrix. Adhesives or synthetic resins are completely dispensed with – disturbing resonances cannot occur in the first place.
The result is a sonic symbiosis: the naturalness of classic paper cones combined with the precision and resolution of modern aluminium cones. RECOTec thus stands for a new generation of loudspeaker diaphragms – low-resonance, high-resolution and absolutely authentic.
PowerTrain™
CCAC – Ceramic Coated Aluminium Cone
By coating a conical aluminium diaphragm with a special ceramic material, AUDIO PHYSIC creates a diaphragm that is at the same time very light as well as extremely rigid. When used together with ACTIVE CONE DAMPING technology the cone diaphragm is virtually immune against any partial oscillations that would otherwise impair the sound.
Active Cone Damping
ACTIVE CONE DAMPING is a unique design to reduce resonances in metal diaphragms, developed exclusively by AUDIO PHYSIC.
Dual Basket Design
AUDIO PHYSIC’S unique DUAL BASKET DESIGN is a true break-through innovation and the most important part of the HHCM-III technology. Instead of the tradition single basket, our HHCM-III features two separate baskets to prevent and subdue unwanted vibrations already at the source.
Invisible Subwoofer
Some of our speakers feature an internal woofer inside the cabinet provides the same deep bass and punch as an additional subwoofer without anyone ever having to see it.
Honeycomb Sandwich Board
Very rigid material with an internal honeycomb structure, first used in our state-of-the-art STRUCTURE. It is very light and a lot better in avoiding unwanted vibrations and resonances than the commonly used MDF.
Ceramic Foam Bracing
Ceramic Foam is a high-tech material used for internal bracing in many of our speakers. It is much stiffer than MDF although it consists of 85% air. This means, the room taken up by the internal bracing is also part of the effective volume of air the drivers need to work. By using Ceramic Foam, we can build loudspeakers that match and out-perform much bulkier speakers.
Sandwich Cabinet Construction
Our unique Sandwich Cabinets are an innovative way to stop the speaker cabinet from developing an acoustical life of its own. It is especially effective with our stylish glass-finished speakers as the relatively high weight of the glass panels helps dampening the cabinet even better.
VCT – Vibration Control Terminal
Unwanted vibrations have negative effects on sound quality wherever they occur in the signal path. Because AUDIO PHYSIC has made it their mission to fight unwanted vibration and resonance whenever and wherever they occur, the fully decoupled VIBRATION CONTROL TERMINAL (VCT) has been devised.
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.
Bi-Wiring/Bi-Amping optional
Most our speakers have a regular single-wiring terminal to avoid unnecessary metal or wire bridges that would harm sound quality when used in single-wiring configuration (Which is what most Hi-Fi fans actually use). However, an optional Bi-Wiring/Bi-Amping Terminal can usually be ordered with any new speaker. Retrofitting only on special request.
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Audio Physic Codex delivers strikingly spacious, precise presentation led by its holographic imaging and an unusually powerful, well-controlled low end. Reviewers praised its open midrange and deep, textured bass, while highs remain smooth and detailed. Ingenious driver/cabinet engineering yields scale, slam and clarity that set Codex apart for serious listeners (Aron Garrecht, The Ear).
Pros
- Wide, holographic soundstage with precise imaging and convincing instrument layering.
- Deep, controlled and textured bass with authority and extension into the low 20s in-room when driven appropriately.
- Open, present midrange that gives vocals and solo instruments natural presence and expressive dynamics.
&
Cons
- Low-frequency time-domain overhang/blur can appear in some rooms unless mitigated with filtering, subs or room treatment.
- Sub-bass balance is more apparent at higher playback levels; bass can sound recessed at very low/ambient listening volumes.
- Premium price and flagship positioning mean excellent engineering but a luxury cost that not all buyers will consider value-for-money.
Sound Quality
93/100
Bass
94/100
Deep, textured and extended to ~25–28Hz in-room per reviewers; internal 11" woofer and slot venting give authoritative low end. Some reviewers noted slight time-domain overhang/blur unless filtered or supplemented by subs, but overall powerful, well-timed and non-boomy.
Mid
92/100
Open, present and natural midrange with strong vocal presence and instrument separation. Reviewers praised clarity and expressive dynamic response though one noted slight damping of micro-reflex contrast that reduced some bite.
Treble
93/100
Smooth, extended and free of peakiness or metallic harshness; tweeter delivers clean, airy highs and good detail without brightness according to multiple reviews.
Soundstage Imaging
92/100
Wide, deep and well-layered presentation with strong off-axis behavior and stable images; orchestra recordings reproduced with convincing scale and placement.
Dynamics
91/100
Capable of large macro dynamics and impressive slam; reviewers reported music 'exploded into the room'. Minor notes about curtailed micro-dynamic contrast in some material when damping reduces reactive energies.
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Build Quality
95/100
High-quality finishes (glass or wood), extensive internal bracing (honeycomb/ceramic foam), magnetic glass baffle, decoupled WBT terminals and thoughtful crossover layout—overall premium engineering and fit/finish.
Features Connectivity
80/100
Passive tower baseline applied. WBT Nextgen terminals and mechanical decoupling noted; no DSP/app/streaming expected or penalized.
Value for Money
76/100
Performance is high and reviewers admire the engineering, but at a MSRP of ~17,500 this is a luxury price; reviewers did not call it a bargain, so value is solid but premium-priced.
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