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
- When paired with the Pearl Sub, the iO3 creates a sonic cohesion where it doesn't feel like listening to small satellite speakers with a big subwoofer
- The iO3 system provides wide spatialization, with elements allowing the music to breathe and unfold effortlessly throughout the room
- With the iO3 system, the integration of the different frequency ranges is impressive
Product Considerations
- The small diameter of the iO3 satellite speaker's coaxial driver limited the intensity of the midrange somewhat, sometimes lacking substance and expressivity
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The iO3 system (with The Pearl Sub) offers deeper and more intense lows than the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo
Takeaway: The iO3 system, when combined with the Pearl Sub, offers great sound that fills the room. It is easy to set up and use, and the sound is balanced.
All
iO3 IN-CEILING speaker
reviews
Manufacturer details
- Ways: 2
- Drivers: Coaxial midrange tweeter 13cm Duocell 2.7 cm dome Kaladex
- Frequency response: 150 – 22,000Hz
- Sensitivity: 93dB (1W/1m)
- Nominal impedance: 8 ohms
- Minimum impedance: 3.8 ohms
- Power handling: 80W
- Peak power: 580W
- Dimensions: ø 26 cm
- Weight: 1.9 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?
.svg)
Product Strengths
- Tool-less design with the Easy Quick Install (EQI) system allows for quick and easy installation
- Flax cone drivers offer light, stiff cones with good natural damping
- The design allows for both horizontal and vertical installation by rotating the high-frequency/mid-range pod
- Delivers impressive dynamics, a clean, neutral balance, and articulate dialogue handling
- Easy to drive with an amplifier
Product Considerations
- The Easy Quick Install (EQI) system may not work in all situations due to space constraints behind the wall
- The open-back design can make the speaker's balance dependent on the installation environment, potentially requiring EQ adjustments
- Adding the included black acoustic cloth to the grille darkens the overall color shade, which is not ideal for color matching applications
- If a clamp breaks on the tool-less design, it is not easily replaceable
- Requires more horizontal spacing than speakers with traditional dogears, requiring installers to be more careful about between-stud placement
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Focal Kanta No. 2: The Kanta No. 2 has a weightier midrange, superlative upper frequencies, more depth, wider soundstage, and improved imaging, though the 300IWLCR6's sound quality is satisfying
- Vs PSB W-LCR: The PSB exhibits a very slight nasal characteristic, which is not noticed on the Focal LCRs
- Vs Martin Logan Axis: The Martin Logan Axis has impressive imaging and upper-end frequency output due to its folded ribbon tweeter, which is very different from the Focals' inverted dome aluminum and magnesium tweeter
Takeaway: The Focal 300IWLCR6 in-wall loudspeaker is easy to install and delivers great sound for music and movies, especially when paired with a good subwoofer. The speaker can be easily installed, and it can fit into various home theater setups.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The 1000 ICLCR5 loudspeaker is the home cinema solution totally integrated into the ceiling for the ultimate sound experience. It combines Focal's best technologies and features a sophisticated design with an adjustable turntable for perfect targeting of the listening point. The Home Cinema experience is without compromise.
Product Strengths
- Uses Focal's flagship Beryllium tweeter and 'W' cones also found in the Utopia range
- Wall speakers feature adjustable drivers to angle the sound towards the listening position
- Ceiling speakers have Focal's patented 'Easy Quick Install' system for tool-free installation
- Can be integrated with up to 6 subwoofers using only one channel of amplification, to suit the room size
- Magnetic, ready-to-paint speaker grilles allow for visual integration
Product Considerations
- In-wall speakers are less than 10cm deep, which may affect performance for some users
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Form factor is the same as Focal 300 Series, making upgrades easier
Takeaway: The Focal 1000 Series offers advanced technology and flexible design for creating a high-quality, customizable home audio system. Its discreet design and ease of installation make it a great option for those seeking a blend of performance and aesthetics.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The IW150A. Targeted primarily as a Dolby Atmos-friendly in-ceiling model, it can also be used for other in-wall cinema or multi-room music applications. Its single 15-degree angle-fixed tweeter makes the IW150A ideal for effects-based sound in multi-speaker setups. The debut of the new 150 member means that, along with the IW28S subwoofer, there is within the 150 Series a complete in-wall/ in-ceiling seamless solution for reference-grade home cinemas. The Versatile use of the IW150A makes it fit in any position. Turn it – UP, SIDE or DOWN your choice.
Product Strengths
- Retains the neutrality, realism, and musicality associated with the M&K Sound design in a discreet enclosure
- The front three IW150 models perfectly match each other in terms of tonality and are utterly transparent
- Capable of a pleasingly open sound that fills the room with wonderful detail and clarity
- The transient response of these speakers is incredible, viscerally delivering the scares as the soundtrack suddenly goes from relative silence to very loud
Product Considerations
- Slightly lacking at the low-end, designed to be used with a subwoofer
- Placement can be non-trivial and orientation moreso because of the multi-woofer/tweeter design, resulting in a weird dispersion that will sound different depending on which side of the speaker one is on
- Putting them in the wall might change its sonic integrity
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- IW150 is an in-wall version of the M&K Sound S150
Takeaway: The IW150 delivers the detail, clarity, and transience of a professional studio monitor from a discreet, in-wall enclosure. If one is looking for in-wall speakers that vanish into their decor, then these are worth an audition.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Product Strengths
- Creates a soundstage that sits low in the room, almost ear level
- Has a superb midrange with the weight and punch of a true high-end speaker
- Reproduces vocals and instrumentation with an organic quality
- Reduces sound transmission into neighboring rooms due to the integrated enclosure
Product Considerations
- The enclosure could cause installation issues if there's plumbing or venting in the speaker locations
- The speaker grilles have a slightly thicker profile with no sloping transition into the ceiling
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Martin Logan: PSBs have a more substantial midrange due to the enclosure
- Vs Triad: Very similar in design as both have a back box
Takeaway: The PSB C-LCR is an impressive in-ceiling speaker that sounds like a high-end stand-mount monitor and images spectacularly—creating an almost ear-level soundstage. Consider PSB's CustomSound lineup for a concealed installed speaker system.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The IC95 is built with high-quality materials, including rigid push-button speaker terminals
- Sound field height, envelopment, and directionality are improved
- Speaker localization tends to disappear in the sound field
Product Considerations
- The cutout template included is slightly larger than the Revel c263, which may require some ceiling modification
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The IC95 improves sound field height, envelopment, and directionality over the Revel c263
Takeaway: The MK Sound IC95 is a phenomenal in-ceiling speaker that will give a lot for the money and is especially good as Atmos speakers. The improvements in sound quality are substantial and make it a worthwhile upgrade.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Crystal clear highs are provided due to the aluminum magnesium inverted dome tweeter
- It's versatile, aimable, and allows directional audio optimization
- Easy installation with a convenient two-piece quick install bracket system
- The flax woofer is rigid and improves excursion, providing a good price-to-performance ratio
- Offers both square and circular paintable magnetic grills
Product Considerations
- Requires a mounting depth of at least five and three-quarter inches
- An amplifier with at least 25 to 130 watts is recommended
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Focal 100 series—the 300 Series has a more enveloping soundstage
- Vs Focal 100 series—the 300 Series offers more ambiance, with crisp articulation of vocals
- Vs Focal 100 series—installation is superior
Takeaway: The Focal 300 Series provides optimized audio and easy installation with a sleek design. It's versatile for home theater or distributed audio, making it a great choice for anyone looking for quality sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- High-quality construction with mhex cone material and aluminum tweeter
- A low volume intelligibility switch boosts vocal clarity and bass at lower volumes
- A cast aluminum frame basket allows for a larger spider and suspension system, enabling the speaker to handle more power
- Wide dispersion (75 degrees) provides a good soundstage for every seat
- Weather-resistant materials (impermeable drivers, stainless steel hardware/grills) make it suitable for use in humid environments
- Custom-fit back boxes create a sealed enclosure, reducing sound transmission and protecting the driver
- Pre-construction bracket provides even pressure on the drywall for better support
Product Considerations
- The low volume intelligibility switch should be off when playing at reference levels
- 12 gauge is the max gauge for the binding posts
Takeaway: The KIN IC 82 is a high-quality in-ceiling speaker with unique features and durable construction, making it a great choice for a home theater or other applications. The speaker's ability to deliver clear sound and withstand various environmental conditions adds to its value.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers cinema-quality sound for home Atmos or DTS:X systems
- Has crisp highs, mid tones, and vocal reproduction
- Is terrific for multi-zone or MusicCast audio options
Product Considerations
- May require a subwoofer for deep bass tones
- Sound levels drop significantly when walking too far to the side of the speakers
Takeaway: The KEF Ci200RR-THX in-ceiling speakers offer excellent sound replication across various frequencies and can play loud without distortion. They would be a great addition to a Dolby Atmos home theater.
Video review
Our take on the brand
.jpeg){kind=small}
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The M2v2 is the least colored speaker in the group
- The M2v2 is impressively involving and delivers music well
- The M2v2 is the cheapest speaker of the group
- The M2v2 is neutral and musical
Product Considerations
- Fit and finish is adequate, but nothing impressed the reviewer
- The finish is a faux-woodgrain that does not look like real wood, though real wood veneers are offered at a premium
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- While the Paradigm may have sounded lusher with the string trio, the Axiom lacked any of the other speakers' tonal caveats
- While the Aperion may have delivered rock music with more punch, the Axiom lacked any of the other speakers' tonal caveats
Takeaway: The M2v2 is a great choice because it delivers music well and is the least colored speaker of the group, which makes it good at playing any type of music. It should be considered a classic.
Video review
Our take on the brand
How to buy
Speakers
Search all hifi products
Explore our database of 10,000+ new and 25,000+ used hifi products.
