{"id":4798,"date":"2026-01-11T12:18:23","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T11:18:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vumetre.com\/en\/?p=4798"},"modified":"2026-03-10T23:34:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T22:34:39","slug":"closer-acoustics-ogy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vumetre.com\/en\/tests\/types\/loudspeakers\/closer-acoustics-ogy\/","title":{"rendered":"Closer Acoustics Ogy: 2 little french speakers with strong character"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Developed over more than three years by Jacek Grodecki, the two Closer Acoustics Ogy speakers stand out from the Polish brand’s larger models, while retaining the distinctive characteristics of a full-range driver from Catherine Fertin’s French workshops. With their highly distinctive sound, the Ogy speakers are charming companions for natural music, especially intimate music.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first in a range of five speakers, all of which are large and heavy columns, the latest additions to Closer Acoustics, charmingly named Ogy, stand out for their compactness. Their cabinet measures 30.6 cm in length, a comfortable 31.2 cm in height, and only 13.2 cm in width, making them extremely discreet. Made from birch plywood, treated internally both in terms of the material and with a carefully designed acoustic labyrinth, the Ogy benefits from external reinforcement in acrylic stone which, in order to make it very resistant to vibrations, gives it a substantial weight of 8.6 kg per unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another distinctive feature is its use of a technique that we believe is unduly disparaged: the single full-range speaker, whose main advantage is that it avoids the need for multiple speakers and tweeters to handle different frequencies, thereby eliminating the need for crossover filters and other derivative circuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even better, this speaker is one of those developed over many years by Michel Fertin and further improved today by his daughter, Catherine Fertin: the small 10 cm diameter LB5, sensitive from 50 Hz to 18 kHz and driven by the labyrinth to even lower responses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the rear, two high-quality terminals allow the speaker to be connected directly, either with spade connectors or banana plugs, while the speaker, which is currently only available to order on the manufacturer’s website (translated into French), comes in three finishes: natural (\u20ac1,490 excl. tax), white (\u20ac1,753 excl. tax) and black (\u20ac2,013 excl. VAT). For our test, we were loaned the black model, which proved to be particularly classy. According to the designer, the price difference is explained by the time spent obtaining such a brilliant lacquer finish thanks to the numerous layers applied, resulting in a sound quality that is considered better than that of the other two versions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Set Up of the Closer Acoustics Ogy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you decide to purchase the Ogy speakers, it is best to pair them with one of their two dedicated stands, designed for their narrow width and available in a choice of heights: 65 cm (reference ER650; \u20ac249 excl. tax) with a round shape, or 70 cm (KT700; \u20ac279 excl. VAT) and square in shape. Otherwise, simply place the speakers in the middle of more conventional stands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For our tests, we were able to favor the Solidsteel SS-7, also tested in this issue, while the small Polonaises proved particularly receptive to the best sources and cables, with our HP Esprit Eterna taking them further than the Beta from the same brand. In terms of amplification, class A works particularly well, although it should be noted that these speakers are specifically designed to work with tube amplifiers, which we were able to verify with the Kora TB140 and, for playing, with the large 300B from the Jadis I300, also reviewed in this issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, we regularly removed the lacquered front panel cover, which is held firmly in place by four magnets, to reveal the natural wood behind it. This resulted in a slight loss of clarity, but opened up the sound even more and limited the cabinet effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Sound of the Closer Acoustics Ogy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Listening to a full-range speaker may seem surprising at first, but it’s a sound we love at VUm\u00e8tre, just like that of our Zu Soul speakers, which we selected to remain in our test studios after hearing them for the first time. Similarly, the small Ogy offers a specific sound, positioned towards the top of the spectrum, which may seem to detune part of the bass or even the midrange, with the bass being somewhat underemphasized due to the speaker being limited to a diameter of ten centimeters. Nevertheless, these speakers have a real charm, as well as offering a surprisingly wide soundstage considering the size of the cabinet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The well-designed acoustic labyrinth is reminiscent of that found in Boenicke speakers, and it offers the same performance to the little Polonaise, whose sound certainly lacks body in the lower end of the spectrum, but without ever saturating or sounding muddy, thanks in large part to the magnificent French Fertin full-range driver. This very clear element benefits from the rigidity of the cabinet to produce a supple and superbly detailed sound, with a precision that is rare in this price range. These impressions are particularly evident in the trumpets and saxophones of jazz musicians, as well as in the natural voices of soul and lieder singers. It is with this type of natural music that the Ogy really stands out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It offers its full potential, especially when paired with an analog source and a class A or tube amplifier and freed from its front panel, resulting in the development of a very special grain, with a subtle elegance in its simplicity, allowing you to hear the smallest details while opening up the space of a modest room. Listening can be done from fairly close up, but it is ideal when the speakers can breathe in terms of width, not only in relation to the side walls, but also between themselves. To achieve this, don’t hesitate to place them more than two meters apart, at a height of at least sixty-five centimeters, the first size of their dedicated feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Conceptualized over several years to offer a calibrated set for Catherine Fertin’s LB5 speaker, Closer Acoustics’ Ogy speakers have a special charm when it comes to natural instruments and voices. Although they struggle with large orchestral symphonies or music with strong digital bass, these speakers delight at moderate volumes on many albums, from Amy Winehouse’s Frank to Nina Simone’s Pastel Blues, as well as numerous small classical and jazz ensembles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discreet, they are perfect for listening in your bedroom or living room, enjoying winter moments by the fireside. Currently not distributed in France, the Ogy speakers can only be ordered from the manufacturer’s website, and while the pleasure they provide makes you want to own them, it’s important to remember that they are designed for a limited repertoire or simply as a second pair of speakers. This prevents us from awarding them the Essential label, even though they remain a real favorite of ours!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Author(s) <\/strong>: Vincent Guillemin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technical Sheet: CLOSER ACOUSTICS OGY<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n