Cabasse The Pearl Active Speaker, Black (Each)

The Cabasse The Pearl is an active streaming speaker in a spherical enclosure that combines a triaxial driver array, 1600 W RMS of amplifier power and a network streamer in a single housing.

It's the more compact sister of the Pelegrina – and for many living rooms, the more sensible flagship. One thing up front, so nothing goes wrong: The Pearl is sold individually. Two spheres make classic stereo, one on its own plays in a side room or as a mono statement.

Why The Pearl?

A 25 cm woofer meets a 13 cm coaxial driver for mids and highs – all three ways sit stacked on one axis and radiate from a single acoustic centre. That gives you a coherent, pinpoint-accurate stage, and the spherical shape spreads the sound evenly around the room instead of firing it in one direction. CRCS room correction picks up, via a built-in microphone, what the room is doing to the bass, and straightens it back out. Bottom line: this sphere delivers more level and depth than most people give it credit for.

What you hear

A bass that, per the manufacturer, reaches down to 14 Hz and still stays tight, plus vocals that sit exactly between the two spheres. It plays high-res files up to 24 bit/192 kHz straight from the network, via LAN or Wi-Fi, with Roon Ready and AirPlay 2 on board. Streaming is an option here, not a requirement: the optical input, analogue RCA and USB-A bring in your TV, CD player, turntable (via phono stage) or your own music collection, and internet radio runs without a subscription. Control is via the StreamCONTROL app or the included Bluetooth remote – no manual required.

Who is The Pearl for – and who isn't it for?

For listeners who want high-end sound and clean lines without a stack of gear, in living rooms up to about 35 m². Honestly: if you just want quiet kitchen background music, the smaller Akoya or Myuki serves you better. And if you need to fill a hall, look towards the Pelegrina. Right in between, The Pearl is spot on.

Our verdict

The Pearl is the answer for anyone who wants uncompromising sound without a rack full of boxes. The trade press agrees: HIFI.DE awarded it 8.9 out of 10 points in testing (Tim Hundenborn, May 2023). At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, we'll tell you honestly beforehand whether one or two spheres suit your room, and handle the warranty correctly as an authorised dealer.

Questions about placement or the match with your room? Call us on +41 44 680 22 00, email shop@hdzuerisee.ch or reach us on WhatsApp at 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls).

Technical data

• Type: Active streaming speaker in a spherical enclosure
• Sales unit: individual, per piece
• Amplifier power: 1600 W RMS per speaker (woofer 1000 W, midrange 300 W, tweeter 300 W), 3200 W peak
• Drivers: 25 cm woofer (HELD), 13 cm coaxial mid/tweeter (BCI), triaxial, stacked
• Frequency response: 14 Hz – 27 kHz
• Max. sound pressure: 118 dB mono, 124 dB stereo
• Resolution: up to 24 bit/192 kHz
• D/A converter: up to 32 bit / 768 kHz
• Formats: MP3, AAC, WMA, WAV, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC
• Streaming services: Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify (Spotify Connect), Deezer, Napster, internet radio (vTuner); Amazon Music not native
• Network: Ethernet RJ45, dual-band Wi-Fi 2×2 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Roon Ready, AirPlay 2, Google Home
• Bluetooth: 4.2, codec SBC (Cabasse does not list aptX)
• Inputs: optical S/PDIF, analogue RCA, USB-A (playback from USB stick or hard drive)
• Room correction: CRCS, automatic calibration via built-in microphone
• Control: Cabasse StreamCONTROL app, Bluetooth remote
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 326 × 327 × 323 mm (overall size of the sphere including base, without stand)
• Weight: 18 kg
• Power supply: 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz, eco mode 2.9 W
• Material: composite resin enclosure, gloss black metallic
• Warranty: statutory manufacturer warranty; register within 60 days for 5 years on the drivers and 2 years on the electronics (Cabasse)
• What's included: speaker, Bluetooth remote (CR-2450 coin cell), power cable, quick guide, warranty card

Frequently asked questions

Do I get a single speaker or a pair?

A single speaker. The Pearl is sold per piece, because each sphere has its own amplifiers, DAC and streamer on board. For classic stereo, order two and pair them in the app. For music in a side room or as a mono statement, a single sphere is plenty.

Does The Pearl need an amplifier or streamer?

No. Amplifiers, DAC and network streamer sit inside the sphere, delivering 1600 W RMS together. All you need is power, network and your sources. An additional amplifier adds nothing. Only a turntable needs a phono stage before it can go into the analogue input.

What's the difference to the Akoya and Pelegrina?

The Pearl sits in the middle of the sphere family: more powerful and deeper than the compact Akoya, smaller and easier to place than the flagship Pelegrina. For living rooms up to about 35 m², it's usually the best compromise between level, depth and footprint.

Which Bluetooth codecs does The Pearl support?

Cabasse lists Bluetooth 4.2 for The Pearl, without mentioning aptX; in practice the connection runs on the standard SBC codec. For high resolutions, use the network anyway: over LAN, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 or Roon, the sphere plays up to 24 bit/192 kHz.

Does The Pearl work without a streaming subscription?

Yes. The optical input, analogue RCA and USB-A let you connect a TV, CD player, turntable (with phono stage) or a hard drive with your own files. Internet radio costs nothing. A subscription with Tidal, Qobuz or Spotify is an option, not a requirement for operation.

Why buy The Pearl at HD Zürisee?

Because our roots in the industry go back to 1993, so we know which devices genuinely convince in everyday use, and we pass that on honestly. We clarify with you beforehand whether one or two spheres suit your room, handle the warranty as an authorised dealer, and stay reachable through our technician even after purchase.

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