ACAPELLA AUDIO ARTS

HISTORY, SETUP and FACTOIDS

 
ACAPELLA AUDIO ARTS     Sphäron Excalibur
   
         
    The Sphäron Excalibur is Acapella's top-of-the-line speaker.    
         
         
 
   
DETAILS   OFFICIAL WEBSITE   COMPARISONS
 
 
ACAPELLA AUDIO ARTS     Triolon Excalibur
   
         
    The Triolon Excalibur is without question one of the very best speakers in the world.    
         
         
         
 
   
DETAILS   OFFICIAL WEBSITE   COMPARISONS
 
 
ACAPELLA AUDIO ARTS       Campanile
   
         
    The Campanile is one of the finest speakers in the world.    
         
         
         
 
   
DETAILS   OFFICIAL WEBSITE   COMPARISONS
 
 
ACAPELLA AUDIO ARTS     Violon Mk.3
   
         
    The Violon is Acapella's smallest speaker that still comes with the awesome plasma tweeter. It has the same sonic signature as the Campanile, with just a slightly smaller soundstage and dynamics, and can be at home in almost any size of listening room.    
         
         
 
   
DETAILS   OFFICIAL WEBSITE   COMPARISONS
 
 
ACAPELLA AUDIO ARTS     LaCampanella
   
         
    The LaCampanella is one of Acapella's newest speaker designs. With a hyperspherical horn, fast quick bass and easy drivability, it puts the competition in this price range to shame.    
         
         
 
   
DETAILS   OFFICIAL WEBSITE   COMPARISONS
 
 
ACAPELLA AUDIO ARTS     Fidelio 2
   
         
    The Fidelio 2 is a monitor speaker that does not sound like a monitor speaker. In a small room, these present a very large, shocking full and rich sound that belies their small size.    
         
         
 
   
DETAILS   OFFICIAL WEBSITE   COMPARISONS
 
 
ACAPELLA AUDIO ARTS     LaMusika
   
         
    This little speaker is the arguably the cutest speaker built by Acapella.    
         
         
         
 
   
DETAILS   OFFICIAL WEBSITE   COMPARISONS
 
 
ACAPELLA AUDIO ARTS     Fondato Silenzio
   
         
    This vibration isolation platform increases the detail and articulation amazing well independently of the weight of the component or speaker on top of it.    
         
         
         
 
   
DETAILS   OFFICIAL WEBSITE   COMPARISONS
 
 
 

 

 

 ACAPELLA
 AUDIO ARTS
Acapella Audio Arts (website translated into English) is a German company that has been in business for over 20 years. Each loudspeaker is custom-crafted by just a few artisans. The company was one of the first, if not the very first, to use horns in their loudspeaker design.

There is a feedback forum on Acapella's website (translated into English).

 

 
 Sound
Why are some astute listeners so enamored with the Acapella high-end loudspeakers?

Perhaps it is the soundstaging - where everything just sounds so 3-dimensional and so lifelike - that the listener cannot help relaxing and enjoying their music.

Perhaps it is the dynamic capability - which produces notes that sound so real, just like when they were made by the musicians themselves - that the listener is emotionally moved, and often completely overwhelmed by their favorite music.

Or perhaps it is just simply their ability to present seamless, top to bottom, inside out, delicious music without doing anything seriously wrong - unlike every other loudspeaker in existence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 Technology
By integrating the most advanced loudspeaker technologies known today, applying each to the job that it is best at, into one seamless whole Acapella has arrived at an optimal solution to the problem of music reproduction.

The Ion Tweeter


The ion tweeter is a massless, diaphramless approach to reproducing the audio frequencies between 5kHz - 50kHz.

Here we see a waterfall plot (of the Violon 1). Notice the unheard-of cleanliness of the decay of the notes in the upper frequency ranges.

The Horns

Horns provide the dynamics of real, live music.

The Subwoofers

Acapella uses traditional cone drivers, which is still the best technology known for producing those deep bass notes that communicate so much of the emotional content of music.

 

 

 
 Portfolio
Acapella has a portfolio of loudspeakers of a number of different pedigrees:

 

 

 

 
 History
Acapella Audio Arts has been in business making audio equipment for over 20 years.

 


Triolon Delta 4
(no longer in production)

 

 


Triolon Delta 4 at Frankfurt 1999
(no longer in production)

 


Previous version of Triolon Delta 4
(no longer in production)

 

 


Close-up of previous version of Triolon Delta 4
(no longer in production)

 

 


Frankfurt 2000

 


Fidelio with Sub-bass

 

 
 Photo Gallery
 


Triolon Excalibur at Frankfurt 2000

 


Triolon Excalibur at Frankfurt 2003

 


Triolon Excalibur at Frankfurt 2003

 


The new LaCampanella at
Frankfurt 2003

 


The new LaCampanella Alto (in gold color)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Burmester without Fondato Silenzio

 


Burmester with Fondato Silenzio

 


Burmester with Fondato Silenzio
using Fondato Silenzio pucks

 

 
   
Sphäron
Excalibur

Loudspeaker
Overall measurements (includes horns) 7' 7" x 4' 11" x 4' 3" (HxWxD)
Weight 1360 lbs. per Speaker
Power handling 100 W continuous 1000 W peak/10ms
Sensitivity 100 dB/1W/1m
Recommended power 15 watts/4 ohms or greater
Recommended room size 40 square yards or greater
 
DESCRIPTION
The Sphäron Excalibur is developed from the "classical" Sphäron, the new Excalibur is raising to a new standard of dimension and variability. In consideration of the fact that the former Sphäron had to be combined with a 12m² horn unit for transmission of the lowest frequencies, the new Excalibur now can easily be integrated into living rooms having a minimum size of 40m². Two towering pillars with four huge 15 inches woofers for each unit now are taking over the part of the low frequency horn unit.

This loudspeaker system has no limits: with a 15 watt power already, music will be reproduced three-dimensional, thus giving you the illusion to be a member of the orchestra or the band. From the softest, perceptible sounds, these loudspeaker sculptures can accelerate the music like lightning, comparable only with the spurt of a racing car.

When the music is soft, the sounds caress your skin. When it changes into a powerful fortissimo, the listener will be swept away to the epitome of joy.

RECOMMENDED USAGE

 

OPTIONS

Horn color: any German automotive paint (Mercedes, BMW, Audio, etc.). Other options: cabinet colors and finish. Other options and completely custom speakers available upon request.

REVIEWS
MANUFACTURER'S REVIEW PAGE (translated into English. click on Test Report Overview at the bottom), Two Commas ,,
LINKS
OFFICIAL SPHARON_EXCALIBUR PAGE
FAQ and PRICES
 
 
 
Triolon
Excalibur


Loudspeaker

Overall measurements (includes horns) 7' 2" x 3' 6" x 3' 2" (HxWxD)
Overall measurements (without horns) 7' 2" x 3' 2" x 2' 4" (HxWxD)
Weight ~880 lbs per speaker
Power handling 100 W continuous 1000 W peak/10ms
Sensitivity ~100 dB/1W/1m
Recommended power 15 watts/4 ohms or greater
Recommended room size 25 square yards or greater
 
DESCRIPTION
The Triolon Excalibur is a parallel to the Sphaeron Excalibur and is characterised in all substantial aspects with the same superiority and finesse for music reproduction.

The somewhat smaller size already permits the employment of this horn system in areas starting from 25 yd².

Already with the small power requirements starting from 15 watts the volume range of a whole orchestra can be illustrated with this very efficient system.

RECOMMENDED USAGE

 

OPTIONS

Horn color: any German automotive paint (Mercedes, BMW, Audio, etc.). Other options: cabinet colors and finish. Other options and completely custom speakers available upon request.

REVIEWS
MANUFACTURER'S REVIEW PAGE (translated into English. click on Test Report Overview at the bottom),
UNCRATING & SETUP
LINKS
OFFICIAL TRIOLON EXCALIBUR PAGE
FAQ and PRICES
 
 
 
Campanile


Loudspeaker

Overall measurements (includes horns) 7' 10.5" x 28.5" x 38" (HxWxD)
Weight 550 lbs. per speaker (650 lbs. per speaker Campanile Plus)
Power handling 200 W continuous 1000 W peak/1ms
Sensitivity 92 dB/1W/1m
Impedance 4 ohm (minimum at 3.1 ohm at 7600 Hz)
Recommended power 15 watts/4 ohms or greater
Recommended room size 30 square yards or greater
Pronunciation
American Heritage Dictionary, Laurie Schneider Adams:
 
DESCRIPTION
The Acapella Campanile is a sealed 3.5-way loudspeaker system. Four 10 inch woofers are working in separate chambers and cannot influence each other. Fine adjustments to the ion tweeter and the midrange horn unit can be made in order to adapt the loudspeaker to every acoustical environment.

"Close your eyes, you won’t be able to believe that the music is coming from a Hi-Fi system. You will get the illusion to sit in a live concert with all the musicians just in front of you. Reach out your hand and touch them! Even at lower volumes, the phenomena remains".

Each speaker comes in three sections, each stacked upon the other. A variety of finishes are available for the cabinets: black, cherry and rosewood and, for additional cost, black acrylic (piano black). The horns can be ordered in any color (for example any color of a Mercedes automobile).

Campanile High: This special version of the Campanile loudspeaker adds additional internal bracing, uses even higher quality components for the internal crossover, and adds proprietary Acapella cable for the internal wiring. The result is even more transparency to what is already one of the most transparent speakers available in the world. The bass response is also tightened up for those who like just a little more bottom octave slam.

RECOMMENDED USAGE

 

OPTIONS

Horn color: any German automotive paint (Mercedes, BMW, Audio, etc.). Other options: cabinet colors and finish. Other options and completely custom speakers available upon request.

REVIEWS
MANUFACTURER'S REVIEW PAGE (click on Test Report Overview at the bottom), Stereotimes CES 2002, HighEndNews.com, Audiophilia
PHOTO GALLERY
UNCRATING & SETUP

More...
LINKS
OFFICIAL CAMPANILE PAGE
FAQ and PRICES
 
 
 
Violon Mk.3


Loudspeaker

Overall measurements (includes horn) 5'1" x 18" x 23"
Overall measurements (pillar only) 3'10" x 13" x 18"
Weight 209 lbs. per speaker
Power handling 200 watt, 1000 watts for 10 ms with no distortions
Sensitivity 91 dB/1W/1m
Impedance 4 ohm (> 3.2 ohm), flat above 200 Hz, maximum approximately 30 ohm at 37 Hz
Frequency response 28 Hz - 40k Hz
Recommended power 20 watts or greater
Recommended room size  
 
DESCRIPTION
The Acapella Violon Mk.3 (Acapella Violin Mk.3) is an open 3-way-system.The dynamics of the 25 cm woofer have been adapted to the speed of the mid-range horn unit and the ion tweeter. The used ion tweeter today is the fastest high frequency transmission system of the world. It is operating without any mass and the upper range of the high frequencies can only be limited by the manufacturer himself. Bandwidth normally is adjusted to 40kHz approx. This extraordinary bandwidth is providing an extremely precise reproduction of any kind of music. Even in the lowest frequencies you can feel exact modulation of the overtones. Fine adjustments to the ion tweeter and the midrange horn unit can be made in order to adapt the loudspeaker to every acoustical environment.

"Fantastic finish, excellent sound reproduction, finest audio measurements: Violon 1 combines the charm of a horn loudspeaker with the virtues of conventional loudspeakers".

Violon Plus: This special version of the Violon loudspeaker adds additional internal bracing, uses even higher quality components for the internal crossover, and adds proprietary Acapella cable for the internal wiring.

RECOMMENDED USAGE

 

REVIEWS
MANUFACTURER'S REVIEW PAGE (click on Test Report Overview at the bottom), London Hi-Fi Show 2001, London Hi-Fi Show 2000, Le Festival Son et Image de Montréal Show 2002, Ultra Audio/Soundstage, Enjoy the Music (Tony Maresch)
OPTIONS
Horn color: any German automotive paint (Mercedes, BMW, Audio, etc.). Other options: cabinet colors and finish. Other options and completely custom speakers available upon request.
PHOTO GALLERY
UNCRATING & SETUP
LINKS
OFFICIAL VIOLON PAGE
FAQ and PRICES
 
 
 
LaCampanella


Loudspeaker

Overall measurements (includes horn) 4'7" x 15.2" x 23.8" (HxWxD)
Overall measurements (pillar only) 4'3" x 10.2" x 20.7" (HxWxD)
Weight 187 lbs. per speaker
Power handling 100 watt to1000 watts for 10 ms with no distortions
Sensitivity 93 dB/1W/1m
Impedance 8 ohm
Frequency response 20 Hz - 30 kHz
Recommended power 15 watts or greater
Recommended room size  
 
DESCRIPTION
The dream of a loudspeaker designer is a single acoustic transducer capable of reproducing the deepest bass together with all the intricate and delicate highs, with the softest of rhythms yet at the same time having exceedingly wide dynamics. All the music being reproduced by a single speaker driver.

The nearest approach towards this ideal is a 2-way system with the separation as wide as possible of the frequency ranges.

Since the most sensitive area of the human hearing is between 1 kHz and 4 kHz together with all overtones of this frequency range, the build up of transients, sound pressure occurring under 1 kHz should also be integrated into the hearing area of the overtones from a single point source with a mass as low as possible of the membrane. Ideal would be an “exact phase point spotlight”. Acapella has designed and engineered a new hyper spherical Horn shape with a single point source for high frequencies increasing from three to five Octaves, from 700 Hz to over 20 kHz. The newly designed horn fulfils the expectations demanded by the engineer achieving a natural output level over a wide frequency range.

The achieved result is a dynamic and musical loudspeaker with a high level of clarity and speed, compatible with best of live music.
RECOMMENDED USAGE

 

REVIEWS
MANUFACTURER'S REVIEW PAGE (click on Test Report Overview at the bottom),
OPTIONS
Horn color: any German automotive paint (Mercedes, BMW, Audio, etc.).
PHOTO GALLERY
   

     
UNCRATING & SETUP
 
LINKS
OFFICIAL LaCAMPANELLA PAGE
FAQ and PRICES
 
 
 
Fidelio 2


Loudspeaker

Overall measurements 12.6" x 5.9" x 14.2" HxWxD
Weight 27 lbs. per speaker
Frequency response  
Power handling 80-250 watts/10ms
Sensitivity 87 dB/1W/1m
Impedance 8 - 10 ohms
Recommended power 20W (more if the amp is not top of the line)
Recommended room size Less than 250 square feet
 
DESCRIPTION

The Acapella Fidelio 2 (Acapella Fidelio II) is a small monitor speaker that is able to generate incredible bass and very large, very precise and engaging soundfields in small to average sized rooms..

RECOMMENDED USAGE

 

REVIEWS
MANUFACTURER'S REVIEW PAGE (click on Test Report Overview at the bottom)
OPTIONS
An optional stand for the Fidelio is available. It is 27.2" tall, 10.2" wide and 17.9" deep and adds $850 to the price of the speaker.
PHOTO GALLERY
See our fall 2005 showroom tour for many pictures.
LINKS
FAQ and PRICES
 
 
 
La Musika


Loudspeaker

Overall measurements  
Weight 80 lbs. per speaker (preliminary)
Frequency response  
Power handling  
Sensitivity  
Impedance  
Recommended power  
Recommended room size  
 
DESCRIPTION

The Acapella LaMusika (Acapella La Musika, La Musica) is a 2-way-system. La Musica was developed in collaboration with Alfred Rudolph (Acapella), Peter Suchy (CLEAR audio) and Rolf Gemein (Symphonic LINE) as part of a joint venture (see reviews below) to develop a whole, audiophile-class but reasonably priced system.

RECOMMENDED USAGE

 

REVIEWS
MANUFACTURER'S REVIEW PAGE (click on Test Report Overview at the bottom), Joint Venture: Review of an earlier prototype of the La Musika (translated into English)
OPTIONS
Horn color: any German automotive paint (Mercedes, BMW, Audio, etc.). Other options: cabinet colors and finish. Other options and completely custom speakers available upon request.
PHOTO GALLERY
LINKS
FAQ and PRICES
 
 
 

Fondato
Silenzio


Vibration Isolation Platform

Standard size 470x370x35 (WxDxH) (18.5" x 14.57" x 1.38") Standard
Custom sizes All dimensions available upon request. Minimum size DIN A4 (11.8" x 8.27" x 1.38")
Platform colors Black
Finishes Pear wood, beech wood, cherry wood (other finishes upon request)
Weight  
 
DESCRIPTION
Recognition

All powered electronics within a device are producing electromagnetic vibrations. Depending on the design and material of the devices, these vibrations have a greater or lesser degree of effects in the form of mechanical resonances. These resonances will reduce perfect operation of the electronics, such as transistors, valves, resistors, boards, high frequency coils, power supplies etc. Therefore, HiFi components will show the following effects: limited dynamics, non-transparent sound reproduction at lower volumes. Inaccurate reproduction of impulses at higher volumes; limited soundstaging and imaging, balance inaccuracy of the stereo signal will result in the lack of a definite center between the loudspeakers.

The solution

Depending on the design of your components and the possibility of a "coupling", Acapella bases "Fondato Silenzio" can eliminate the above described effects and will optimize the sonic performance of your HiFi system. Due to the reduced electromagnetic distortions, sound reproduction of your components will be more lively, more three-dimensional, cleaner and, at low volumes, much more transparent.

The result

If we assume that all components of your HiFi system have been optimized by using Acapella’s bases, then you will have a sound experience that is only comparable with the three-dimensional reproduction of live music: a holographic event.

The function

The above mentioned resonances of the electronics are transmitted to the boards. Through the fixings of the boards, these resonances can cause vibration of the casings. At this point, Acapella’s base gets its full damping effect. The resonances will be diverted to the aluminum surface via three aluminum pucks. From this surface, the resonances go immediately into layers of plumb and felt and will finally be eliminated within a layer of finest quartz sand. The better the device is coupled with the base, the greater the desired effect.

Variations

In the regular case, the devices should be placed on the base with three pucks in-between. It is also possible to place the base with the pucks in-between upside down on the top side of the device. Another base design, made of two damping metal layers, can be placed between two devices. Damping factor of the base is also guaranteed without the pucks, but we recommend to use them for best performance.

Application

Begin to optimize performance with the amplifier(s) first, followed by the preamp and the CD-player or CD transport last. A positive effect is also given when you use "Fondato Silenzio" as the bases for your loudspeakers.

RECOMMENDED USAGE

 

TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
REVIEWS
Manufacturer's English link page, STEREO 8/98 (Translated into English), mathematical analysis by Dr. Willi Seelig and Dr. Christoph Seelig (Translated into English)
OPTIONS
Other sizes, other finishes upon request. Taller pucks.
PHOTO GALLERY
LINKS
OFFICIAL FONDATO SILENZIO PAGE
FAQ and PRICES
 
 
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  Sphäron
Excalibur
Trilon
Excalibur
Campanile Violon Mk 3 La-
Campanella
Overall measurements (includes horns) HxWxD 8' 2.4" x 4' 11" x 4' 3.2" 7' 4.5" x ? x 3' 3" 7' 10.5" x 28.5" x 38" 5'1" x 18" x 23" 4'7" x 15.2" x 23.8"
Overall measurements (without horns) HxWxD N/A 7' 4.5" x 3' 3" x 2' 5" N/A 3'10" x 13" x 18" 4'3" x 10.2" x 20.7"
Weight 1360 lbs. per Speaker ~880 lbs per speaker 550 lbs. per speaker (650 lbs. per speaker Campanile Plus) 209 lbs. per speaker 187 lbs. per speaker
Power handling 100 W continuous 1000 W peak/10ms 100 W continuous 1000 W peak/10ms 200 W continuous 1000 W peak/1ms 200 watt, 1000 watts for 10 ms with no distortions 100 watt, 1000 watts for 10 ms with no distortions
Sensitivity 100 dB/1W/1m ~100 dB/1W/1m 92 dB/1W/1m 91 dB/1W/1m 93 dB/1W/1m
Impedance N/A N/A 4 ohm (minimum at 3.1 ohm at 7600 Hz) 4 ohm (> 3.2 ohm), flat above 200 Hz, maximum approximately 30 ohm at 37 Hz 8 ohm
Frequency Response N/A N/A N/A 28 Hz - 40k Hz 20Hz - 30kHz
Recommended power 15 watts/4 ohms or greater 15 watts/4 ohms or greater 15 watts/4 ohms or greater 20 watts or greater 15 watts or greater
Recommended room size 40 square yards or greater 25 square yards or greater 30 square yards or greater N/A N/A
US retail price (pair) $325,000 $145,000 $58,000-$75,000 $35,000-$48,000 $26,000

 

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