Cabasse Baltic 5

The Baltic 5 is a compact speaker from Cabasse, built around a sphere mounted on a brushed aluminium stand. It features a TCA 3-way coaxial driver (woofer, midrange, tweeter) united on a single axis, a configuration intended to bring sound diffusion closer to the point-source ideal, where all frequencies appear to emanate from one and the same location.

This fifth version of the triaxial driver has been redesigned by Cabasse with midrange and woofer/low-midrange diaphragms made from in-house-developed aramid fibre. These diaphragms share a constant profile and a large emissive surface, with fixed parts designed to limit diffraction. The lightweight, rigid honeycomb structure of the TCA, combined with new rare-earth motors, aims to improve efficiency and power handling compared with the previous version. Both diaphragms are produced simultaneously from the same material by a Cabasse robot, to guarantee manufacturing consistency.

Cabasse states an efficiency of 91 dB for 1 W/1 m, a nominal impedance of 8 Ω (minimum 3.5 Ω), a nominal power of 250 W and a peak power of 1210 W. The crossover cuts between 740 and 3500 Hz, for an overall frequency response of 75 to 25,000 Hz. The manufacturer states that it relies on anechoic chamber measurements, both on-axis and at 360°, as part of its principle of homogeneous sound energy distribution.

This compact, spherical format suits near-field listening or use in a small room, for a listener seeking a precise sound image and a stable soundstage rather than an imposing system. The coaxial configuration and the directivity control claimed by Cabasse make it a relevant choice for those who prioritise spatial coherence of sound.