Actually, it was only supposed to be a visit to HiFi Pilot at the new location in Sulzfeld. But then there was a completely crazy, round 2-way loudspeaker made of a material reminiscent of clay in the measuring room. This is how STEREO GUIDE got its first photos. With the Econik 1851, Econik is launching a pair of loudspeakers that deliberately position themselves between sculpture and audio technology. The concept: a fully active high-end design loudspeaker system in which not only the chassis and electronics, but also the cabinet material and suspension are part of the acoustic idea. The price is 16,800 euros per pair. Compared to the Econik Six, which was reviewed some time ago, Econik has thus made a similarly large leap in price and design.
Quartz sand instead of wood or aluminum: housings from the 3D printer
The most striking feature is the housing: it is made entirely from quartz sand using industrial 3D printing. Econik argues that the material’s naturally high damping behavior effectively suppresses micro-vibrations. The surface is created directly during the process and is not a subsequent finish; the whole thing is a “monolithic body” with an acoustic function.
The internal structure is also exciting: While a clear, sculptural form dominates on the outside, an almost spherical volume works on the inside to reduce standing waves and lower internal reflections. According to Econik, the design and wall structure were optimized for minimal resonance transmission using FEM simulation.
“Floating” mounted: steel cable suspension for decoupling
The 1851 includes a special steel cable suspension that makes the speaker appear to float and at the same time minimizes structure-borne sound transmission to the floor. This is not just a design gimmick, but part of the overall technical concept – especially in living rooms where low-frequency vibrations quickly “play along” via the floor.
Eton drivers, active DSP crossover and WiSA radio
For the drivers, Econik relies on the German manufacturer Eton Audio and describes the driver setup as particularly low-distortion and impulse-true. The 1851 is designed as a 2-way active loudspeaker and works with Class D power amplifiers (150 W for the woofer, 150 W for the tweeter per speaker). Econik specifies a 28 mm magnesium-ceramic tweeter and a 181 mm long-throw bass-midrange driver made of magnesium composite material. The frequency response is specified as 34 to 40,000 Hz (+/-3 dB).
Signal processing is handled by a quad-core DSP, with Econik’s Dual CS4398 DAC. WiSA is on board for wireless transmission – specifically 24 bit/96 kHz lossless. The aim is to achieve the tidiest possible setup: ideally only one mains cable per speaker, no speaker cables across the room.
Room correction and app control
Econik is also planning an app for iOS and Android (according to the manufacturer, “coming soon”), which can be used to customize the speaker setup and sound. This includes an automatic bass calibration system that makes targeted corrections below 500 Hz, as well as manual DSP options with parametric EQs and storable presets.
Design: 1851 Studio and Anton Erbenich
The formal concept comes from Anton Erbenich and his Studio 1851. Erbenich describes 1851 as a design studio that combines workshop practice with architectural thinking: Material and manufacturing processes (wood/metal) meet proportion, spatial effect and construction from architecture. For him, additive manufacturing is the next logical step – precise, resource-efficient and geometrically free.
The name “1851” refers to the London World’s Fair and the Crystal Palace as a symbol of how natural principles and technology can be combined to create modular lightness. Following this logic, 1851 creates speakers, lights and furniture as individual pieces, small series or scalable lines – with quartz sand-printed housings, curved stainless steel support lines and “mineral textures” as a stylistic device. An important point: production takes place predominantly in Germany, and the studio also relies on repairable designs and modular electronics for longevity.
Das neue Firmengebäude von HiFi Pilot in Sulzfeld nordwestlich von Stuttgart (oben). Jens Hörman (links) und Berthold Daubner im schicken neuen Hörraum von HiFi Pilot. (Foto: Stefan Schickedanz)
Seen on site: first impression of the new company building
I was able to see and photograph the Econik 1851 up close during a visit to the new company building. In real life, the combination of mineral body, clear geometry and the “floating” suspension is even more striking than in the renderings – more of a design object than a classic box, without hiding the technical claim.
Econik 1851: 16,800 euros per pair. Further information: econik-speakers.com
