Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Proprietary drivers, including a rectangular ribbon tweeter, contribute to maximum resolution
- Stand is integral to the sound concept
- High-resolution sound with quick dynamic response
- Neutralizes the loudspeaker cables' antenna effect
- Exceptional audio crossover
Product Considerations
- Expensive, especially considering the optional stands
- Build uses HDF instead of aluminum
Takeaway: The Z1 offers impressive engineering and delivers a clear, high-resolution sound. It is a unique sound transducer that provides a satisfying listening experience.
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Manufacturer details
- Frequency response: 50Hz – 50KHz
- Sensitivity: 86 dB / 1W
- Impedance: 6 ohms
- Recommended Amplifier: > 50W
- Tweeter: Børresen planar ribbon tweeter
- Driver: Børresen bass/midrange driver: 4.5 inches
- Dimensions (Speaker & Stand): 101.5 x 28.0 x 36.0 cm (39.8 x 11.0 x 14.2 inches)
- Weight (Speaker & Stand): 14.9 kg (39.68 lbs)
- Dimensions (Speaker): 37.0 x 18.5 x 33.8 cm (14.6 x 7.1 x 14.6 inches)
- Weight (Speaker): 11.6 kg (25.35 lbs)
- Dimensions (Stand): 64.5 x 28.0 x 34.0 cm (25.2 x 11.0 x 13.4 inches)
- Weight (Stand): 3.3 kg (14.33 lbs)
The Børresen tweeter features exceptional efficiency. Elaborate finite element methods have been applied to linearize and optimize the magnetic flux field, to facilitate driver movement and to ensure high efficiency and outstanding linearity. The efficiency of this closed ribbon tweeter amounts to an exceptional 94dB and operates from approximately 2.5 kHz upwards. The moving mass is extremely low at 0.01 grams. The totally concealed tweeter has the capacity to operate at an incredible speed, which is an absolute prerequisite to unlocking the most subtle and refined sound details of any kind of music. The enormous robustness of this tweeter allows it to handle extremely high transient peaks without any ear fatiguing breakups. No transformers are being used.
The Børresen membrane consists of a composite of two layers of very thin carbon on both sides of a 4 mm Nomex honeycomb core. This composite structure – like the one used in formula 1 type of racing cars – provi...
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- The brand distinguishes itself through its implementation of iron-free magnet systems in its dynamic drivers, designed to significantly reduce inductance and improve driver control, linearity, and overall sonic purity.
- Borresen speakers utilize a proprietary ribbon tweeter, offering a lightweight membrane for exceptional speed, clarity, and extended high-frequency response.
- The company produces its own proprietary capacitors, voice coils, and baskets for use in the speaker crossovers.
Select products
Børresen X6
- Positioning: Entry-level line, designed for affordability and accessibility.
- Description: Offers a strong entry into high-end audio with its advanced spread-tow carbon membrane, ensuring maximum stiffness and minimal noise. Unlike the more premium M-series, uses a simplified magnetic motor system with double copper caps, making it more cost-effective while still delivering impressive sound quality. Ideal for those with budget constraints seeking high performance in smaller spaces.
Børresen C1
- Positioning: High-end stand-mounted speaker, focused on precision and design.
- Description: Features the RP94 ribbon tweeter, providing exceptional speed and clarity. Compared to the X6, the advanced magnetic motor system and laminated carbon fiber membrane offer superior sound detail and depth.
Børresen Z5
- Positioning: Top-end of the Z-series, offering high-end performance with conventional components.
- Description: Features a high-efficiency ribbon tweeter and a unique magnet system, delivering clarity and dynamics akin to the 0-series but at a more accessible price point.
Børresen 05
- Positioning: Flagship model of the 0-series, representing the pinnacle of Børresen's technology.
- Description: Equipped with an iron-free magnet system and a composite membrane, delivering exceptional sound purity and precision. Surpasses the Z5 in terms of technological sophistication.
Børresen M6
- Positioning: Premium model in the M-series, blending form and performance.
- Description: Features a zirconium basket and a multi-layered membrane, providing outstanding stiffness and resonance control. Compared to the 05, offers enhanced musicality and aesthetic design.
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Borresen
What if you spend more?
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Product Strengths
- Powerful and deep bass response for its size
- Clear and natural sound reproduction, with vocals being particularly noteworthy
- An 'all-in-two' system, the RIALTO includes a streamer, DAC, pre-amp, and amp, making it easy to set up and use, especially with the Cabasse StreamCONTROL app
- Effective room correction helps to optimize the sound for the listening environment
- Elegant design and build quality
Product Considerations
- The lack of seamless gapless playback between digital tracks requires a workaround or use of an analog source
- The RIALTO has a laid-back treble response, which may not appeal to listeners who prefer a brighter sound
- Potential for technical hiccups exists, because of the amount of technology packed into the RIALTO
- Many features are controlled with the mobile app
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The RIALTO provides a more balanced—and much more natural—listening experience than the Devialet Phantom II 98 dB Stereo
Takeaway: The Cabasse RIALTO is a compact and elegant audio system that offers powerful sound and a range of integrated features, making it a great choice for music lovers who want an easy-to-use and high-performing system. The sound quality and room correction allow it to adapt well to different listening spaces, offering an immersive experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Majestic Performance Meets Unparalleled Engineering The SuperMon Isobaric was created to bring about a revolution in the audio industry.Our latest innovation not only offers impeccable sound quality, but it combines it with a level of never-seen-before construction and engineering.The outer construction and cabinet consist of Metal, and aluminum in particular to ensure the most sophisticated sound quality possible. The large-diameter 7mm thick precision-machined aluminum front plate ensures linear frequency response and represents an extremely stable platform for the magnetic movement system inside.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Build quality is second to none, using the best construction materials
- Very well-controlled midrange
- Excellent imaging capabilities
- All aluminum cabinets make for an impressive sight
- Good dynamic range, if given enough power to compensate for bass equalization
Product Considerations
- Depressed bass response below 100Hz, potentially requiring equalization
- Rough treble response on-axis that can be piercing with certain content, solvable by mild to no toe-in angle
- The effort involved in attaining a great sound from these speakers will inevitably be a turn-off for some people
- At 80 lbs each, users will need to be careful when handling these speakers
- The use of an isobaric design has likely caused more problems than it has solved in this instance
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The SuperMon Mini provides an incredible amount of detail to go with that superb imaging and soundstaging, while the LS3/5a has a natural tonality that's simply breathtaking
Takeaway: With EQ'd bass and correct placement, the SuperMon Isobarics can sound terrific—offering excellent soundstage and imaging. These speakers are for audio lovers to proudly display and will likely be the subject of conversation.
Video review
Our take on the brand
When Crystal Cable launched the original, glass cabinet Arabesque in 2009, the audio world was stunned by the performance of a speaker that sounded as clean and clear as it looked. The Arabesque shape of this groundbreaking loudspeaker was developed to prevent resonance and standing waves and to eliminate parallel walls and common dimensions, resulting in natural resonant decay without resorting to damping materials. This unique design and technology was then further perfected in the following Arabesque speaker models: the Arabesque Mini, the Arabesque III and the Minissimo.
Now, the new Minissimo Forte takes things to an even higher level. Crystal Cable's goal was to further refine the performance possible from a standmount loudspeaker, while maintaining its predecessor's beauty and compactness. An advanced new passive-active crossover has been added, alongside special fully balanced filter technology. Our unique MAD™ (Multiple Absorption and Dispersion) system and the new stable and decoupled stand further reduce cavity resonances, and improve sound quality. Together, this series of engineering improvements delivers superb sonic performance.
Development
With so much of the design right first time, the original Minissimo stand mount loudspeaker was a hard act to follow. So our engineers thoroughly analyzed the behavior of the loudspeaker using tools like COMSOL™ Multiphysics computer aided design facilities and our custom-made vibration measurement system. The decision was then taken to focus in on three specific areas where further improvements could be achieved, namely the speaker cabinet, stand assembly and crossover.
Developing the cabinet
One key design aim was to take the Minissimo's cabinet and support stand out of the equation, making them as acoustically inert as possible. This was done by identifying and then eliminating all vibration paths inside the speaker, by the fitment of a special layer of internal resonance-reducing material. This is unique in the field of loudspeaker design, and has further lowered cabinet noise as well as preventing extraneous vibrations between cabinet and stand.
Developing the crossover
For the 'passive-active' crossover design, our engineers benefited greatly from the spectacular results achieved while designing the Symphony loudspeaker of sister-brand Siltech, with which Crystal Cable shares all resources and production facilities. Most loudspeakers employ a passive separation filter using coils to provide the drivers with the correct signal, but this can cause non-linearity and dynamic compression of the signal. The passive-active filter used in Minissimo Forte eliminates these limitations by using frequency dependent components, which allows for much greater control of the sound, higher resolution of details in the music, and increases the dynamic range.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- The Minissimo Forte creates a palpably dimensional and believable representation of musical sounds, offering the most believable representation of a musical sound through a stereo system
- It communicates the dynamic life of music exceptionally well at lower playback levels
- Incredible resolution and coloration-free tonality
- The speakers play organically with excellent timbre, detail, and incredible soundstage
Product Considerations
- The owner's manual lacks detailed setup instructions regarding channel configuration
- Positioning the right and left speakers with the 'fat' part of the apostrophe on the outside results in a reduction in the seamlessness of the soundstage
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to Harbeth, the Crystal Cable speakers possessed a skill—allowing even better insight into the recording
- Compared to BBC LS3/5a loudspeakers, the Minissimo Forte goes a step, or two, further in transparency
Takeaway: The Crystal Cable Minissimo Forte loudspeaker is excellent for audiophiles who want a high level of realism. These speakers are especially good in small and medium spaces with high-end electronics.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Top-tier tweeter, the same as used in the M series
- Refined magnet system with new copper rings and copper caps
- New membrane with a honeycomb spread toe and graphene particles for a more rigid result
- Carbon fiber reinforcements on the sides make the cabinet more rigid
- High resolution and extreme focus in the middle provide pinpoint imaging
Product Considerations
- The Børresen C1 with stands has a MSRP of $16,500
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Børresen X1, the C1 offers a quieter background, more dynamic range, and better headroom
Takeaway: The Børresen C1 is a high-performance stand mount loudspeaker that delivers exceptional imaging and clarity, suitable for various room settings. The speaker's advanced engineering and rigid cabinet design contribute to its impressive soundstage and resolution.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Cryogenic treatment of metal components improves conductivity and reveals finer musical details
- Produces a stunningly low noise floor
- Delivers deep bass despite the 50Hz spec
- Soundstage depth and width is formidable
- Offers an additional layer of detail—with an organic improvement in the sound—compared to the non-Cryo version
Product Considerations
- Requires unconventional placement along the side walls to achieve its full potential
- The Børresen Monitor Z stands are expensive
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Børresen Z1 (non-Cryo), the Z1 Cryo adds an additional layer of detail with more of an organic improvement in the sound
- Vs Børresen M1, the Z1 Cryo becomes closer to the M1 when placed along the side walls
Takeaway: The Borresen Z1 Cryo loudspeakers provide a detailed and immersive listening experience with a low noise floor. They are especially great when paired with other components within the Audio Group Denmark ecosystem.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Solid bass performance for a speaker of its size
- Able to do justice to any genre of music and at realistic volume levels
- Very easy to drive
- Offers a balanced presentation from top to bottom with seamlessness between the woofer and tweeter
- Started sounding like far more than a pair of 8″ two-way monitors when properly positioned along the side walls
Product Considerations
- Achieving the best imaging and deep bass may require experimenting with toe-in and distance from corners and the back wall
- Does not provide much forward/backward information, with the image typically stopping at the outer edge of the speakers
- The basic 'D' model comes only in black ash veneer, while higher-end models offer more choices
- Bass can be overblown if not adjusted properly in room placement
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The AN-E has more bass, is easier to drive, and has a bigger presentation
- Some may prefer the J because they find it a more taught presentation in the mid bass, as well as more "present" in the voice band
Takeaway:
The AN-J is a near full-range loudspeaker capable of articulation and organic flow, making music sound natural and engaging. If someone is looking for a communicative quality that remains consistent wherever they listen, then the AN-J could be a good fit.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Balanced, refined, and musical performance
- Fine stereo imaging and a wide—beautifully focused—soundstage
- Impressive bass power and authority for a standmount speaker
- Excellent build quality and finish
- Uni-Q driver produces a consistent dispersion pattern
Product Considerations
- Demands an amplifier with plenty of power due to its low sensitivity (85dB/W/m) and 4 Ohm impedance (minimum 3.2 Ohms)
- Dedicated stands are expensive (S-RF1)
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4: Sounds larger-scale, more muscular, and punchy
Takeaway: The KEF Reference 1 Meta is a superb speaker combining excellent sound with clever engineering, well suited for audiophiles looking for a high-quality listening experience. It delivers an immersive and detailed soundstage.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Adept at handling complex compositions and uncovering the finest sonic detail without losing track of the musical picture as a whole
- Gets listeners closer than ever to the artist's intent
- Excellent sense of detail, of boundaries naturally drawn
- High-frequencies sound realistic and natural
Product Considerations
- Low frequencies were somewhat lightweight
- With such a tipped-up tweeter, the resulting sound could be too bright
- Due to a lack of boundary reinforcement, Bowers & Wilkins speakers with top-mounted tweeters always drop off below around 5kHz
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Versus Magico A1, Magico A1 aim for pure neutrality
- Versus Dynaudio Confidence 20, Dynaudio Confidence 20 is for listeners who just want to enjoy their music
Takeaway: The 805 D4 makes music sound very realistic and clear, almost as if you are there. It can make a small room feel big with its sound.
Video review
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