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.
All
Alcyone 3 (On-wall)
reviews
Manufacturer details
- Way: 1
- Drivers: 8T15 wide bandwidth Cellulose fibre membrane
- Frequency response: 160 - 20000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 87 dB (1W/1m)
- Nominal impedance: 8 Ω
- Minimum impedance: 4.6 Ω
- Power handling: 50 W
- Peak Power: 350 W
- Dimensions: Ø 99 mm
- Weight: 0.75 kg
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:
- Coaxial driver design is a core element, used even in their more affordable models, enhancing spatial coherence and minimizing diffraction, a design choice they heavily promote for its acoustic benefits.
- Cabasse often incorporates DSP technology for room correction (ARCS) and sound signature adjustments (DEAP), enabling their speakers to adapt to different listening environments.
- While known for hifi audio, they also offer integrated streaming options, exemplified by their StreamControl app, compatible with various music services and DLNA playback.
- Their signature design is spherical enclosures, minimizing cabinet-induced diffraction and enabling wide sound dispersion, and they are found throughout their product lines, from the entry level to reference models.
Select products
Jersey MC170
- Positioning: The entry-level floorstanding speaker in the Cabasse lineup.
- Description: Offers a rich and dynamic sound with its coaxial midrange-tweeter, providing a wide and stable soundstage. Compared to the Java MC40, it is more affordable and suitable for those seeking a balanced sound in medium-sized rooms.
Java MC40
- Positioning: A mid-range floorstanding speaker offering high-fidelity sound at a competitive price.
- Description: Stands out with its SCS technology and BC10 coaxial unit, delivering precise and realistic sound. It provides a more immersive experience than the Jersey MC170.
Bora
- Positioning: A high-performance bookshelf speaker designed for audiophiles seeking compact yet powerful sound.
- Description: Features a BC13 coaxial midrange-tweeter and a 21 cm Duocell woofer, offering analytical precision and dynamic capability. It surpasses the Antigua MC170 in sound depth.
Murano Alto
- Positioning: A high-end floorstanding speaker, representing the pinnacle of Cabasse's lineup.
- Description: Excels with its 3-way triaxial TC23 and BC13 drivers, delivering exceptional soundstage and tonal balance.
Our take on the brand
Look inside the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
I think there are four pillars, but they’re all intertwined. The first is the 75 years of acoustics and R&D. We were one of the first companies to create the coaxial driver itself. Today, a lot of companies use coaxial or geo concentric designs, but we were one of the first in 1958 to develop it. You’ll find this in 90% of our lineup. The second is the connectivity aspect. More than 10 years ago, we were acquired by a company whose specialty was connectivity (UPNP, DLNA, and other connectivity protocols). The CEO saw Cabasse as an amazing brand, and he recognized that the audio market was shifting; similar to how Sonos pioneered multi-room wireless audio in the mid-market in the early 2000s. The same shift started happening in the high-end hi-fi industry, but very few companies had the expertise. So he purchased Cabasse, and now we have acoustics, coaxial driver design, high-excursion woofer technology, and robust connectivity; plus DSP and active filtering. These are things we’ve been doing for a while. And I’d also say the design makes us stand out.
What's your approach to customer support?
Now that we’re basically our own distributor in the U.S., we work directly with dealers. We offer warranties on drivers; ranging from 3 to 5 years, or lifetime depending on the product. We just launched a new product in Munich, and it comes with a lifetime driver warranty. If a customer buys a product and a driver fails, the dealer comes to us and says, “Hey, can you help my client?” Then we either get in touch with the customer directly, if the dealer agrees, or the dealer takes care of it. Not every dealer has the ability to repair, especially since many of our products are heavily electronics-based. In some cases, we’ll just replace the entire unit. We also have a policy where, within a certain period, if the electronics fail, we’ll replace the unit for free. Generally, it’s 3 to 5 years for drivers, and 2 years for electronics.
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
We actually have a playlist on Qobuz with all of our demo tracks. Off the top of my head, for precision and showcasing microdetails, I really like the track called “Soft Landing” by Hadouk Trio. It’s a very clean and amazingly recorded track. I also like “Magnetic Lies” by Malia to show the low end and precision. and fact that our woofer technology provides a lot of dispersion without distortion. The coil never leaves the magnetic field, so you get a lot of excursion. Plus, our DSP helps a lot. We want people to experience that at a given price and speaker size; they have a lot to play with.
What other products pair best with yours?
Used
Cabasse
What if you spend more?
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Product Strengths
- Sweet and detailed audio performance with clear instrumental separation and expansive dimensionality
- Warm and full-bodied bass and midrange
- Clear yet 'mellow' treble, creating a pleasing sound signature
- Accurate sound that doesn't do much to color the recording, so listeners get a balanced presentation of the source content
- Good level of dynamic range for reasonably sized bookshelf speakers, and they can get louder than expected for their size/price class
Product Considerations
- The laid-back sound may occasionally obscure some definition
- The speakers run on the cooler side of things, never becoming too indulgent in any aspect and instead providing a sound that is accurate and slightly pulled back, but never muted or lifeless
- Asymmetry of the phase coherence of their vertical lobe can be a slight problem for anyone listening under the tweeter axis
- Does not feel as substantial as some other speakers in their price class
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Focal Vestia No. 1: Theva offers a lot of what makes the Vestia No. 1 great while saving money, but is not as immediately striking in detail or treble extension
- Vs Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3: Theva is more compact and easier to place, but doesn't look as premium
- Vs Polk Legend Series L100: Theva has a more laid-back sound profile, making it a better listen in most cases, while the L100 presents a more precise center image
Takeaway: The Theva No. 1 is a great speaker for enjoying detailed and smooth sound without harshness. It's a good option for different types of content, from music to movies, and is especially suited for smaller spaces.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The DALI ALTECO C-1 is a true multipurpose speaker. It adds Atmos, DTS-X and Auro-3D height information to an existing surround setup, and is a discreet on-wall solution for a stereo installation.Dual Sound ModeThe dual sound mode offers flexible placement. Select 'UP' for soft, downward sound dispersion or 'DOWN' for close listening.Wood Fibre ConesOur low-loss drivers combine low-mass paper cones with wood fibre for an uneven surface that eliminates resonance and reveals every detail.Up-FiringWhen placed on top of front or rear speakers, the angular design is perfect for transmitting Dolby Atmos, DTS-X or Auro-3D surround sound height information.Soft Dome TweeterThe ultra lightweight, weaved fabric dome tweeter offers best-in-class resolution with extended frequency response, wide dispersion and low colouration.
Product Strengths
- Designed to deliver delicate Atmos sounds and add height to the surround sound experience
- Brilliantly built and seem built to last
- Does an outstanding job in reproducing a cinematic feel
- They are full-bodied and an easy and engaging listen
- Can be used discreetly on your living room wall while providing an exceptional stereo listening experience when paired with a subwoofer
Product Considerations
- With the vinyl wrap, it looks a little bit like Ikea furniture, so it may not be the best option for a classy looking system
- Speaker terminals use a push fit spring clamp system for very thin wire, which can be annoying
- When used on top of floor standers, they do not sound as good as when wall-mounted
- Dolby Atmos content availability may be lacking
Takeaway: The Alteco C1 is a well-built speaker that adds a cinematic feel to a home theatre experience. It is a versatile speaker that can be used in different ways and is a good value for the price.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Product Strengths
- Smooth, spacious sound with good weight
- Excellent build and finish quality
- Discreet and stylish design, blending easily with room décor
- Slim cabinets make them easy to hang on the wall
- Driver arrangement ensures excellent imaging, even when speakers are mounted high
Product Considerations
- Midrange colouration can harm timing
- Bass is more limited compared to some rivals due to the sealed-box design
- Can become a little muddled with complex rhythms
- Without grilles, they sport a stark, industrial look
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- When compared to rivals such as PMC's Wafer 2, the SoundFrames have the most limited bass
- SoundFrames are better than the KEF T205 system
Takeaway: The Monitor Audio SoundFrame is a stylish and innovative speaker system that delivers impressive sound quality despite its slim design. It's a great option for those who want a system that blends seamlessly with their décor without compromising on performance.
Video review
Our take on the brand
M&K Sound, manufacturer of the finest loudspeakers and subwoofers and whose products are "The Choice of Professionals", has introduced the new discreet and design-conscious D Series of loudspeakers, comprising the D85 and D95 models. Optimized for placement on walls, on stands, inside bookshelves or flanking flat-panel TV´s.
The D95 boasts 91 dB of sensitivity, producing exceptional dynamics from a tiny enclosure. With a slim depth profile of 3.74 inches and front fascia only measuring a compact 11.81 (H) x 9.45 (W) inches, the larger of the two models will remain inconspicuous on a living room or kitchen wall.
Housing a 6.5-inch polypropylene cone woofer with a 90 Hz – 20 kHz frequency response, the D95 can produce a rich and fully-rounded middle- and low-end response. The D95 and D85 incorporate a second order, phase-focused crossover frequency of 1.6 kHz supporting a smooth and imperceptible transition between tweeter and woofer.
Both models can deliver extraordinary low-end detail independently, but there is always an option to pair the loudspeakers with any of M&K Sound's compact V+ Series of powerful and articulate subwoofers
Product Strengths
- Engaging, fast, and accurate performance
- Superbly made with good build and finish commensurate with the asking price
- Genuinely flexible in terms of positioning, especially for wall mounting due to its slim profile
- Impressive detail retrieval combined with a crisp and dynamic presentation
Product Considerations
- Limited bass extension, likely requiring a subwoofer for most applications
- Poor speaker terminals that won't happily accept 4mm plugs
- Not inexpensive
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Spendor A1 outperforms the D95 on a stand or shelf, but the D95 has the edge when wall-mounted
- D95 differs from ATC HTS series, since there is no center speaker version
Takeaway: The D95 is a great option for spaces where floorspace is limited, delivering a sparkling performance from an easy-to-place enclosure. It's a well-made, versatile speaker that shines when wall-mounted.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The reviewer liked the Q4 so much that they bought two more
- The reviewer was impressed with the Q4s
- Rated down to 42 Hertz in-room response, the port provides a fuller bodied sound
- It can be used as a LCR (left, center, right) speaker, making it versatile for different channels
- The driver is very much the same as in the KEF R11s as well, promising timbre matching will be no problem
Product Considerations
- The reviewer wishes the port was underneath, so it was more hidden when hanging it vertically
- The reviewer wishes KEF would make a custom grill to match the R11s
Takeaway: The Q4 sounds really good and is impressive as a center channel, performing bigger than it looks. Its ability to be mounted and act as different channels allows it to be a very versatile piece of equipment.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers dynamic and immersive sound at a budget-friendly price
- Shares advanced drivers with Polk's flagship Legend series
- Impressive build quality for the price
- Crisp, near full-range performance
Product Considerations
- Revealing sound can be slightly bright with some sources
- Speaker cabinets lack the lavish construction and wood-veneer finishes found in the Legend series
Takeaway: The Reserve series brings the advanced tech of Polk's high-end Legend series to a more affordable price point, offering great sound and build quality. This makes it a worthwhile option for listeners seeking a premium experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Designed to be mounted on a wall, saving space
- Simple mounting system and easy speaker wire attachment
- All models use the same speaker components, allowing for mixing and matching within a home theater setup
- Features the Fluctus tweeter for even response across all frequencies and open, effortless sound
- Uses a Kraft paper cone for mid-range and woofer components, made from renewable forests and wool fibers
Product Considerations
- The Ambient 11F does not go as low in the bass as the larger Ambient models
Takeaway: The HEIKO Ambient Series offers great sound without taking up floor space and can be easily integrated into a home theater system or used in various other applications. The consistent speaker components and design make them a versatile and visually appealing choice.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent performance, superb build quality, and high value
- The fit and finish are beyond reproach for the price level
- Features new drivers, including a revised C-CAM tweeter and RST II mid/bass drivers, contributing to improved sound quality and lower distortion
- The design language is crisp and clean, with a timeless quality
Product Considerations
- If you prefer curved cabinets, you'll have to look elsewhere
- The surround speakers and height effects speakers are only available in gloss black or satin white, potentially limiting aesthetic choices for some users
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Monitor Audio offers real-wood veneers, while ELAC's Uni-Fi Reference and Bowers & Wilkins' 600 Series only offer fake wood-effect vinyl wraps
- Another speaker series in this price range that looks as good is Wharfedale's Evo4
Takeaway: The Silver Series 7G offers a combination of excellent performance, build quality, and value. They might be worth your time if you are looking for new speakers.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Very clear, very crisp sound
- Special filling inside called branded K2 helps produce a fuller, deeper sound from such a tiny speaker
- Seamless metal casing
- Can use banana plugs to connect speaker cable, or push naked speaker wire into the connections and tighten
Product Considerations
- Frequency response ranges from 76Hz down to about 20kHz
- Comes with a little o-ring for placing on a shelf, ensuring the speaker sits and won't roll away
Takeaway: The A'diva speakers are easy to set up and install into a home system, and the sound quality is good and fantastic. The speakers give a very clear, very crisp sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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