Eclipse TD 307 PAII review

Other-world looks, exceptionally fast, natural and detailed presentation – these curious Eclipse speakers can be immensely satisfying Tested at £400.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Peculiar, fussy, and totally irresistible – another success for Eclipse

Pros

  • +

    Out-of-this-world looks

  • +

    exceptionally fast, natural and detailed presentation

Cons

  • -

    Not for the big-bass lover

  • -

    fussy over positioning

  • -

    not cheap for desktop speakers

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

These speakers are never going to excel at low frequencies, but the II's speakers do sound meatier than many rivals out there, and as such are better able to fill a small room.

Having said that, room-filling, bassy sound isn't at all what this package is about. No, to enjoy this system at its best, you need to be sitting just a metre from the speakers, making the third point of a triangle. You also need to tilt the speakers so that the drivers are aimed directly at your ears.

A sound you can believe in
These speakers are fiddly to adjust, but make the effort to get the positioning right, and you're deeply rewarded. The single-driver, no-crossover design delivers sound so quick and natural that you feel like you're in the studio with the musicians.

This ‘being-there' feeling is further enhanced by the fact that sound never feels like it's coming from the left or right, but from an arc between the two speakers. Vocals, especially, appear to be coming from directly in front of you. It's a very intimate experience.

The unusual sound and styling certainly take some getting used to, but those that make the effort and give the Eclipse time will be rewarded with a truly involving listening experience, not to mention the chic-looking exterior.

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

Read more about how we test