Founded in 2006 by Ralph Krebs, Cessaro Horn Acoustics set out with a singular vision: to create horn loudspeakers capable of replicating live music with utmost fidelity in a home setting. Krebs’s unwavering commitment to eliminating tonal limitations has pushed the boundaries of high-end audio, earning Cessaro recognition as a benchmark for the pinnacle of high-end sound.
Cessaro Horn Acoustics specializes in crafting custom horn speaker systems that are nothing short of masterpieces. By combining innovative techniques, cutting-edge technology, and meticulous craftsmanship, Cessaro takes the horn speaker concept to an extraordinary new level. These speakers are not just notable for their design and engineering; they deliver an unparalleled auditory experience.
Crafting a Cessaro loudspeaker involves a level of precision and dedication akin to that found in luxury furniture and bespoke coach-building. The components are often sourced from aerospace and military-grade materials, and many of the compression drivers are custom-made exclusively for Cessaro. Their horns are engineered from a proprietary composite material—featuring a dual-shell fiber construction with a polymer core and a CNC-machined aluminum flange—resulting in a remarkably heavy and unique product.
Owning a Cessaro Horn Acoustics system is a commitment to experiencing music at its finest. The modular design (Alpha-Beta-Gamma) offers flexibility for future upgrades, and Cessaro provides comprehensive support, including installation guidance, room optimization, and sound enhancement. This relationship ensures lifelong satisfaction with your audio system. Experiencing a Cessaro speaker is a remarkable event, and owning one is a statement of true audiophile dedication. For those who seek perfection, Cessaro delivers an exceptional auditory journey.
CESSARO GAIA I
2-Way D’Appolito Design Stand Mounted Loudspeaker
When audiophiles think of Cessaro Acoustics, they often envision large, high-end horn-loaded loudspeakers renowned for their impeccable craftsmanship and exceptional sound quality. For years, there was a demand from the audio community for more compact and affordable speaker systems from Cessaro, making their renowned sound more accessible to a broader audience.
After a decade of meticulous development, Cessaro is thrilled to introduce the Gaia I and Opus I speaker systems—designed specifically for smaller listening spaces while maintaining the signature Cessaro audio experience. These new models deliver the immersive, high-fidelity sound that Cessaro is celebrated for, now suited for more modest settings.
Unveiled at the Munich High End Show in 2022, the Gaia I features a sleek, polished box design that can be used as a bookshelf speaker or mounted on custom Gaia stands for a stylish, room-friendly setup. Cessaro’s renowned high-density, rigid cabinet construction is evident in the Gaia I, which utilizes a 2-way D’Appolito configuration with a distinctive 34mm Beryllium dome tweeter and a Cessaro 5” horn. This combination creates an incredibly lifelike sound that enhances any room with its elegant presence. For enhanced bass performance, the Gaia I can be paired with the Opus I active subwoofer, designed to complement the Gaia I both aesthetically and acoustically, allowing for deeper and more precise low-frequency reproduction.
Despite their compact size, the Gaia I speakers capture the essence of the ‘Cessaro sound,’ offering a vivid and realistic listening experience. The quality of both the drivers and the build surpasses many larger, inferior designs, delivering a fast, articulate, and expansive soundstage with realistic proportions. Unlike many manufacturers who compromise on quality for cost or production efficiency, the Gaia I is crafted in Germany, reflecting Cessaro's unwavering commitment to superior sound and build quality. Exploring the Cessaro range or speaking with a Cessaro owner will reveal a brand dedicated to unparalleled audio excellence and meticulous craftsmanship.
Cessaro Horn Acoustics is renowned for its uncompromising standards of quality, which has traditionally made their high-end speakers a luxury reserved for a select few audiophiles. However, in response to demand for more accessible options, Cessaro has developed a groundbreaking new speaker concept. Introducing the Opus I loudspeaker system—a compact design that redefines both build quality and luxury while offering a taste of the signature Cessaro sound.
To achieve exceptional sound quality, the Opus I incorporates a distinctive mix of drivers. Notably, it features a new 1” Beryllium compression driver paired with a CNC-milled horn, an impressive choice given its price range. This is complemented by Cessaro’s renowned 8” Alnico magnet bass driver, widely regarded as one of the finest in its class. The cabinet is crafted from the same advanced composite material used in their flagship models and is hand-polished to a high gloss. An innovative rear port construction further enhances its acoustic performance.
The high-frequency horn is elegantly mounted on top of the cabinet and is secured with an ‘Acra-Swiss’ clamp, which ensures a sturdy connection and facilitates easy removal for transport. The adjustable isolation feet are made from stainless steel and can be fine-tuned for optimal performance. Additionally, the tweeter horn’s level can be precisely adjusted to tailor the sound to your preference.
Despite its compact size, the Opus I delivers the full Cessaro experience, transporting listeners to a live performance with its immediate, articulate, and expansive sound. The quality of its drivers and build far outweighs the benefits of larger, less refined cabinets. The Opus I’s sound is fast, clear, and immersive, with a wide and deep soundstage that captures the nuances of any recording. It reveals subtle changes in your audio system, highlighting the true potential of high-quality electronics.
The Opus I is designed to bring the Cessaro sound into smaller spaces—typically rooms of 20-30m²—without sacrificing the high-end performance their larger speakers are known for. For those seeking enhanced bass, Cessaro offers a matching active subwoofer that complements the Opus I’s aesthetic and extends the low-frequency response.
Cessaro’s dedication to quality remains steadfast. The Opus I exemplifies their commitment to superior sound and craftsmanship, embodying the same attention to detail found in their more expensive models. It’s akin to Rolls-Royce creating a compact city car: it’s smaller, yet retains the core attributes of luxury and performance.
In essence, the Opus I is a remarkable speaker system that combines exquisite craftsmanship with the legendary Cessaro sound, offering a deeply engaging and personal listening experience.
CESSARO subsystem
Active Subwoofer for Opus-I Speaker System and Gaia Speaker System
The Opus I Subwoofer System is crafted to enhance the performance of Cessaro Acoustics' Opus I and Gaia I loudspeakers. While these speakers already deliver exceptional audio, the addition of the Opus I Subwoofer provides deeper bass extension and drive, creating a more immersive listening experience akin to that of a full-scale, high-end speaker system. The subwoofer adds substantial depth to the soundstage, enriching both the focus and stability of the sonic image.
Weighing 85kg, the Opus I Subwoofer showcases unmatched quality in its drive units, components, wiring, and construction—hallmarks of Cessaro Acoustics' commitment to excellence. Every aspect of its design has been meticulously engineered to produce profound, dynamic bass that integrates seamlessly with the speaker system. The result is a dramatic enhancement in sound, where music retains its natural flow and dynamics while the soundstage expands in all directions. The bass is both tuneful and fast, providing a depth that blends perfectly with the overall audio without being obtrusive.
For those seeking to achieve a flagship-level audio experience at a more accessible price, combining the Gaia I or Opus I speakers with the Opus I Subwoofer offers a remarkable solution. This setup delivers a rare and exceptional sound experience, now available for smaller spaces and budgets. The Opus I Subwoofer is a testament to Cessaro Acoustics' ability to bring high-end performance within reach, making it an outstanding addition to any audio system.
CESSARO ALPHA III
4-Way Horn Loaded Floor Standing Loudspeaker
Cessaro Acoustics has developed a pinnacle performance horn speaker system known as the Modular Line, designed to offer extensive upgrade options. This system starts with the Alpha III speaker, which can be easily upgraded to the Beta and Gamma series by acquiring the necessary components. Although the Alpha III represents an entry point into this line, its exceptional performance makes it hard to envision ever needing to upgrade beyond it.
Previously, the Alpha II set a high bar for compact 3-way horn speakers, excelling in sound quality, engineering, and craftsmanship. In late 2020, Cessaro introduced the Alpha III, a model so transformative that founder and chief designer Ralph Krebs considered it for a new series altogether. However, he chose to keep it within the Modular Line to allow customers to benefit from future upgrades without losing their initial investment. The Alpha III incorporates significant enhancements while maintaining a relatively compact size, making it a revolutionary option in compact horn speaker design. It brings high-end horn performance into a more manageable form that can fit comfortably in standard listening environments.
The Alpha III is now a 4-way horn speaker with an active bass system. This redesign includes a new driver configuration, adjustable crossover points, and upgraded components. The 16” TAD bass driver remains, now powered by a reference-grade 1000W Class A/B amplifier (with an optional D-Class Amp with DSP), extending bass response down to approximately 25Hz. Efficiency has improved by around 3dB, and at 100dB (1W/1m), the Alpha III is notably easy to drive, accommodating a range of amplifiers, including some 6W SET models, thanks to its partly active bass section.
Cessaro has also achieved a milestone with the development of their own drive units. After years of using high-quality TAD units as a benchmark, they have created in-house drivers that surpass previous performance levels. These include a new 11” upper bass driver, a Beryllium midrange compression driver, and a super-tweeter with a solid milled brass front horn. This marks a significant advancement for Cessaro and reflects a long-held vision. The Alpha II speakers from a decade ago can even be upgraded to the Alpha III standard.
From the moment you hear the Alpha III, the exceptional engineering and craftsmanship become apparent. For those new to high-quality horn speakers, this is a transformative experience, while seasoned listeners will find that the Alpha III sets a new standard. It offers extraordinary dynamics and speed, creating a physically engaging experience akin to being at a live performance. The Alpha III reproduces the visceral presence of live music with remarkable clarity and depth, making every nuance and micro-detail come alive.
At this level of sophistication and investment, the Alpha III meets and exceeds the high expectations of audiophiles. When paired with compatible electronics and sources, it delivers an experience that closely resembles sitting in the front row of a full orchestral performance. Its scale, dynamic range, frequency response, clarity, and emotional impact make the Alpha III a truly exceptional speaker system, offering a listening experience that is nothing short of extraordinary.
