Active 3-way cardioid loudspeaker with built-in subwoofer and streaming

The Dutch & Dutch 6c is an active networked loudspeaker that packs amplification, digital processing, room correction and network playback into a 38 cm tall cabinet. Its cardioid directivity, achieved acoustically, delivers clean bass and a stable stereo image in an ordinary living room, without heavy acoustic treatment. A pair, two power cords, and the system is complete.

A complete system, not a scaled-down 8c

Martijn Mensink, founder of Dutch & Dutch, is clear on this point: the 6c is not a "lite" 8c, but a model in its own right designed in a smaller format. It is aimed at those who wanted the realism of the 8c in a footprint that fits a living room or a normal-sized studio. Each speaker measures 38 × 22 × 30.8 cm and weighs 14 kg, with 360 W of on-board Class-D amplification featuring power factor correction and hybrid cooling. There is no external amplifier, processor, converter or subwoofer to add.

Acoustic cardioid directivity: the front wall stops being a problem

Unlike solutions that simulate directivity through DSP, the 6c achieves its cardioid pattern acoustically. The built-in 8-inch subwoofer is mounted on the rear of the cabinet and couples to the wall behind it when the speaker sits less than a metre away. At the same time, the midrange driver's rear wave is vented through side slots, cancelling the energy that would otherwise wrap around the cabinet. The result: virtually no reflection off the front wall in the bass and lower midrange. This is the mechanism behind the clean bass and the stable stereo image in real, untreated rooms.

Addressing the room on both sides of the Schroeder frequency

A listening room presents two different problems. Above the Schroeder frequency, typically between 100 and 200 Hz, the issues are reverberant: they depend on what the speaker radiates off-axis. Below it, they are resonant: room modes, peaks and dips tied to the room's dimensions. The 6c addresses both. Above, through controlled directivity and a smooth off-axis response. Below, through the cardioid pattern combined with RoomMatching room correction, DSP processing driven from a web interface or the dedicated app.

Drivers and performance

Three ways: a 1-inch aluminium/magnesium alloy dome in a waveguide for the treble, a 6-inch aluminium cone midrange on the front baffle, and a built-in 8-inch aluminium cone subwoofer mounted on the rear of the cabinet. Response spans 50 Hz to 20 kHz ±1 dB, extending to 30 Hz at -6 dB, with a maximum level of 106 dB continuous from 50 Hz upwards. Enough to cover realistic living-room listening levels without compression, including on programme material demanding at the bottom end.

Ascend, streaming and BACCH spatial audio

The 6c is built on the Ascend hardware and software platform, with a dedicated app. This networked loudspeaker is Roon Ready and supports Spotify Connect and Audirvana; Tidal Connect and Qobuz Connect are announced. BACCH spatial audio processing is available from launch. For wired connection, the balanced audio input is on XLR with a peak level of +24 dBu (+4 dBu setting), a sensitivity switch and a Left / Right / Mono channel switch; an AES3 loop-through on XLR allows daisy-chaining. The network is available over both Wi-Fi and Ethernet.

Expandability: the 6S bass module and the Statement Six system

The 6c can be complemented by the optional 6S bass module, also cardioid. Together they form the Statement Six system, a full-range cardioid setup: more dynamic headroom, better control over floor reflections and RoomMatching extended across the entire spectrum. A pair of 6c is a starting point, not a ceiling.

Available finishes

Black or white, matte or high-gloss, plus Soft Moss, Soft Ash, Soft Stone, Metallic Pine, Metallic Cinnamon and Metallic Copper. Price per pair.

Optional speaker stands

The official speaker stands for Dutch & Dutch 6c are designed specifically for the 6c and 6c Studio. They come in two heights, 71 cm and 106 cm, depending on whether you listen seated on a sofa or in a working position. Sold as a pair, available as an option.

Technical specifications

Type: active 3-way cardioid networked loudspeaker
HF: 1" aluminium/magnesium alloy dome, waveguide mounted
MF: 6" aluminium cone, front baffle
LF: built-in subwoofer, 1 × 8" aluminium cone, rear mounted
Amplification: 360 W total, Class-D, power factor correction (PFC), hybrid cooling
Frequency response: 50 Hz – 20 kHz ±1 dB, extending to 30 Hz at -6 dB
Maximum level: 106 dB continuous from 50 Hz upwards
Input: balanced audio over XLR, peak level +24 dBu (+4 dBu setting), sensitivity switch, Left / Right / Mono channel switch
Output: AES3 loop-through over XLR
Network: Wi-Fi and Ethernet
Room correction: RoomMatching (DSP), controlled via web interface / dedicated app
Platform: Ascend (hardware + software) with dedicated app
Streaming: Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, Audirvana; Tidal Connect and Qobuz Connect announced
Spatial audio: BACCH, available from launch
Power supply: 110–230 V AC, 50–60 Hz
Dimensions (H×W×D): 38 × 22 × 30.8 cm per speaker
Weight: 14 kg per speaker
Finishes: black or white (matte or high-gloss), Soft Moss / Soft Ash / Soft Stone, Metallic Pine / Metallic Cinnamon / Metallic Copper
Option: 6S bass module (cardioid), forming the Statement Six system
In the box: 2 speakers, 2 IEC power cords, 2 CAT5e network cables, 1 pair of handling gloves, 1 AES terminator, 1 manual