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).
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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.
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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.
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Portfolio |
Acapella has a
portfolio of loudspeakers of a number of different pedigrees:
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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
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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
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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LINKS |
OFFICIAL TRIOLON EXCALIBUR PAGE |
FAQ and PRICES |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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UNCRATING & SETUP |
More... |
LINKS |
OFFICIAL CAMPANILE PAGE |
FAQ and PRICES |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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UNCRATING & SETUP |
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LINKS |
OFFICIAL VIOLON PAGE |
FAQ and PRICES |
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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 |
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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 |
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REVIEWS |
MANUFACTURER'S REVIEW PAGE
(click on Test Report Overview at the bottom),
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OPTIONS |
Horn color:
any German automotive paint (Mercedes, BMW, Audio,
etc.). |
PHOTO GALLERY |
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UNCRATING & SETUP |
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LINKS |
OFFICIAL LaCAMPANELLA PAGE |
FAQ and PRICES |
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Fidelio 2
Loudspeaker |
Overall
measurements |
12.6" x 5.9" x 14.2" HxWxD |
Weight |
27
lbs. per speaker |
Frequency response |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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La Musika
Loudspeaker |
Overall
measurements |
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Weight |
80
lbs. per speaker (preliminary) |
Frequency response |
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Power
handling |
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Sensitivity |
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Impedance |
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Recommended power |
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Recommended room size |
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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 |
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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 |
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LINKS |
FAQ and PRICES |
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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 |
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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 |
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TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS |
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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 |
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LINKS |
OFFICIAL FONDATO SILENZIO PAGE |
FAQ and PRICES |
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