Speaker Box 5E Carbon - compact loudspeaker
black matt - Pro-Ject

Compact loudspeaker - 2-way bass reflex - Pro-Ject Audio Systems

Pro-Ject Audio Systems from Vienna is known for record players - but the consistent continuation of an audiophile analog chain does not end at the amplifier output. With the Speaker Box 5 E Carbon, Pro-Ject delivers the logical conclusion to its speaker design series: a compact loudspeaker developed with the same quality principles that have elevated Pro-Ject's turntables to reference level. The special feature is the 5-inch woofer made of glass fiber-carbon composite - a material that combines the stiffness of carbon fiber with the damping properties of glass fiber. The result is a cone that is fast enough to accurately reproduce transients, yet low enough in resonance to minimize coloration. Combined with a 1-inch silk dome tweeter, which stands for fine resolution and naturalness in the high frequencies, the result is a sound image that goes far beyond the compact dimensions of the cabinet.

The high-density MDF cabinet is designed for minimal resonance - no cabinet coloration, no resonance that distorts the sound. The rear bass reflex port efficiently extends the low frequency range to 65 Hz and allows a remarkably controlled bass response for the size of the speaker. With a nominal impedance of 4 ohms and a sensitivity of 86 dB, the Speaker Box 5 E Carbon is designed for amplifiers from 10 watts - which makes it ideal for compact integrated amplifiers such as the Stereo Box S3 BT or the MaiA S3 and enables a coherent Pro-Ject system.

The fiberglass-carbon woofer is the sonic heart of the Speaker Box 5 E Carbon. While pure glass fiber cones are somewhat more compliant and capable of damping, the carbon component provides additional flexural rigidity - the cone remains geometrically stable even at higher volumes and does not break up into partial vibrations that would cause distortion and coloration. The powerful drive of the chassis ensures a level of control that cannot be taken for granted with a 5-inch driver: the bass is firm, contoured and fast - no typical mid-bass bloat that makes many compact loudspeakers sound disappointing in practice.

The 1-inch silk dome tweeter is the right choice for this price range: silk is known as a cone material for its natural, soft characteristics - no metallic sharpness, no overemphasized presence, instead a resolution that conveys details without a fatiguing effect. The high-density MDF cabinet is closed and low-resonance - the only sound port is the bass reflex port at the rear, which takes over the low-frequency relief of the cone and extends the lower cut-off frequency range to 65 Hz. Gold-plated connections on the rear ensure permanently corrosion-free connections to amplifier banana plugs or fork cable lugs.

Pro-Ject offers the Speaker Box 5 E Carbon in six finishes: five silk matt lacquer finishes in black, white, dark blue, dark green and yellow as well as a high-quality walnut veneer. The discreet dimensions of 270 × 165 × 220 mm (H × W × D) fit into bookshelves, on stands or furniture without dominating visually - and the magnetic speaker covers make it possible to conceal the drivers for a particularly tidy impression, without tools or clips. Optional wall brackets open up additional placement options and also make the Speaker Box 5 E Carbon suitable for wall mounting in the living room or office.

The rear bass reflex port requires a distance of at least 20-30 cm from the wall for optimum bass development - depending on the room acoustics, the bass energy can increase close to the wall. For most living rooms and offices, this is not a disadvantage, but an advantage: the Speaker Box 5 E Carbon benefits from being positioned slightly closer to the wall, where it develops its full sonic potential.