Website author headshot
Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

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.

What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.

Manufacturer details

  • Frequency Response: 30-23000Hz
  • Mid-range-tweeter: DOM 45
  • Woofer: 2x 12cm (4.72 inches)
  • Amplification: 65 watts treble, 76 watts woofer
  • Maximum SPL: 99 dB RMS / 109 dB peak stereo
  • Connectivity: Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth, Jack 3.5mm, USB-C, SPDIF Optical
  • Audio Formats: MP3, WAV, AAC, WMA, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, Ogg, Vorbis, DSD 64/128, WMA lossless
  • Dimensions (HxWxD): 7.3 x 6.9 x 7.1 inches
  • Weight: 2.1 kilos
Manufacturer Site

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.

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.
See All Products
Avg. Product Price
$20,001-$30,000
Used For Sale
11
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
134
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
51
Founding Year
1950

Our take on the brand

Cabasse, a French hifi brand with roots dating back to 1742 in musical instrument making, is renowned for its unique coaxial speaker design where all sound waves emanate from a single point. Their flagship product, La Sphère, features a distinctive four-way coaxial drive unit array, while their patented HELD technology uses multiband dynamic signal processing to enhance bass dynamics without distortion.

Look inside the brand

Brand Page

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?

From our interview with
Alexandre Paul
.
Brand Page

What if you spend more?

Product image
Focal
Diva Utopia
39999
39999
/
7
Reviews
Focal is a French hifi brand that makes their own drivers in-house, including their highly-regarded beryllium tweeters and unique slatefiber mid/bass drivers made from recycled carbon fiber. Their speakers and headphones feature distinctive technologies like their "W" sandwich cone design for optimal driver performance and Mimi Sound Personalization that adapts audio to individual hearing profiles.
Check Amazon
Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Excellent clarity, detail resolution, and agility in sound reproduction
  • Impressive bass definition and punch, delivering huge amounts of bass effortlessly
  • Combines muscularity, insight, scale, and attack for an engaging listening experience
  • Design is unique and striking, with impeccable build quality and a flawless finish
  • Offers extensive specification and numerous control options, all implemented expertly

Product Considerations

  • Sonic presentation might be a little too 'safe' or 'civilizing', potentially losing some of the vibrant energy in music
  • Lacks some features compared to competitors regarding connectivity and adjustability
  • Requires a large listening space to avoid overpowering the room
  • The provided remote casing feels cheap and insubstantial compared to the overall package
  • Room correction (ADAPT) is not as automated or precise as some other systems and the application may crash

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs KEF LS60 Wireless: KEF LS60 offers more flexibility, including a subwoofer output, but at higher volumes, Focal Diva is the clear winner
  • Vs Bang & Olufsen Beolab 90: Beolab 90 is in a league of its own and provides a more complete audio experience
  • Vs Scala Utopia Evo: Diva Utopia is cheaper in the long run, as the Scala Utopia Evo needs additional components, such as Naim Classic components
  • Vs Diablo Utopia Color Evos: The Color Evos may represent the ultimate Focal experience

Takeaway: The Diva Utopia is an all-in-one speaker with impressive sound that expertly combines performance and design. It offers a unique blend of luxury and high-end audio quality that can be enjoyed by anyone looking for a simplified audiophile experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Focal is a French hifi brand that makes their own drivers in-house, including their highly-regarded beryllium tweeters and unique slatefiber mid/bass drivers made from recycled carbon fiber. Their speakers and headphones feature distinctive technologies like their "W" sandwich cone design for optimal driver performance and Mimi Sound Personalization that adapts audio to individual hearing profiles.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

What competes at this price?

Cabasse
The Pearl Keshi
26237
/
Released
2021
THE PEARL KESHI was named after the small natural pearls found in Tahiti and the South Seas. It combines all the qualities of Cabasse high-end connected solutions for the most impressive acoustic performance (soundstage, stereo image, timbre, etc.) in a miniature size. This system consists of a connected subwoofer and two tiny satellite speakers. This 3 components system features an original design subwoofer suspended in the air to limit the transmission of vibrations onto the floor.
Check Amazon
Cabasse, a French hifi brand with roots dating back to 1742 in musical instrument making, is renowned for its unique coaxial speaker design where all sound waves emanate from a single point. Their flagship product, La Sphère, features a distinctive four-way coaxial drive unit array, while their patented HELD technology uses multiband dynamic signal processing to enhance bass dynamics without distortion.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Visually appealing with a distinctive, elegant, and small form factor, fitting well in smaller spaces and under monitors
  • Good build quality and finish, using excellent materials, which creates a sense of pride of ownership
  • Powerful sound for its size, offering ample audio presence and dynamic headroom
  • Comprehensive control app that is stable, logical, and offers extensive functionality, including room calibration
  • Coaxial design of the satellite speakers aims to improve stereo focus and time alignment

Product Considerations

  • Sound can be bottom-heavy or 'wonky' with an overemphasis on bass that dominates the overall sonic signature
  • Treble can be sharp, edgy, or unruly, especially at higher volumes
  • The included remote control is more stylish than ergonomic and can be unresponsive, requiring re-pairing
  • Lacks an HDMI input, which limits connectivity options, especially for TV use
  • Fixed wiring of the satellite speakers can be inconvenient if shorter cables are needed

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The KEF LS50 offers better-balanced sound and superior sound quality overall
  • Genelec is more utilitarian in design
  • The SVS Prime Wireless Pro and sub combo sounds better, but lacks the sex appeal
  • The Devialet has more intense bass, but isn't as balanced or natural as The Pearl Keshi

Takeaway: The Cabasse Pearl Keshi offers audiophile sound in a stylish and compact package with innovative features. It could be a good fit if one wants a visually striking and complete audio system that can fit in a tight space.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Cabasse, a French hifi brand with roots dating back to 1742 in musical instrument making, is renowned for its unique coaxial speaker design where all sound waves emanate from a single point. Their flagship product, La Sphère, features a distinctive four-way coaxial drive unit array, while their patented HELD technology uses multiband dynamic signal processing to enhance bass dynamics without distortion.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Cabasse
Rialto
2995
/
Released
2022
Inspired by the most famous and oldest bridge in Venice, this new audio system named RIALTO symbolises the junction between traditional Hi-Fi and the connected technologies developed over the last 10 years by Cabasse. It embeds the best acoustic and software technologies and is composed of two connected active speakers, in a compact bookshelf format, with soft and rounded lines reminiscent of the Murano.
Check Amazon
Cabasse, a French hifi brand with roots dating back to 1742 in musical instrument making, is renowned for its unique coaxial speaker design where all sound waves emanate from a single point. Their flagship product, La Sphère, features a distinctive four-way coaxial drive unit array, while their patented HELD technology uses multiband dynamic signal processing to enhance bass dynamics without distortion.
Expand Details

Our Summary

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

Cabasse, a French hifi brand with roots dating back to 1742 in musical instrument making, is renowned for its unique coaxial speaker design where all sound waves emanate from a single point. Their flagship product, La Sphère, features a distinctive four-way coaxial drive unit array, while their patented HELD technology uses multiband dynamic signal processing to enhance bass dynamics without distortion.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Cabasse
The Pearl Pelegrina
26237
/
Released
2021
Check Amazon
Cabasse, a French hifi brand with roots dating back to 1742 in musical instrument making, is renowned for its unique coaxial speaker design where all sound waves emanate from a single point. Their flagship product, La Sphère, features a distinctive four-way coaxial drive unit array, while their patented HELD technology uses multiband dynamic signal processing to enhance bass dynamics without distortion.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Houses everything needed to play digital music
  • Equipped with DSP and room correction for a seamless room-filling fit
  • Reproduces music with superb control and an expansive sound image
  • Offers finely textured and richly saturated sound

Product Considerations

  • Speakers that don't look like every other speaker can be polarizing

Takeaway: The Pearl Pelegrina is a wireless active loudspeaker that houses everything needed to play digital music, offering a seamless room-filling fit with superb control and finely textured sound. It could be worth buying for those seeking an all-in-one speaker solution with a unique design.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Cabasse, a French hifi brand with roots dating back to 1742 in musical instrument making, is renowned for its unique coaxial speaker design where all sound waves emanate from a single point. Their flagship product, La Sphère, features a distinctive four-way coaxial drive unit array, while their patented HELD technology uses multiband dynamic signal processing to enhance bass dynamics without distortion.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

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