(August 26, 2025) If there is one product destined to stop CEDIA 2025 showgoers in their tracks, it is Ascendo’s new HALO 10 PRO Active EXT Cardioid speaker. Sleek, sculptural, and undeniably futuristic, HALO is a circular marvel that looks more like a piece of modern art than a traditional loudspeaker. First images show off one of the available finishes: a glossy black composite surface, flecked with metallic-looking patterns. But it's the speaker's circular driver symmetry that delivers a visual presence unlike anything else on the market. It is pure eye candy, and an object that demands as much admiration for its design as it does for its engineering.
The speaker will make its world premiere in Sound Room 7, where it takes the coveted role of LCR duties behind a Seymour-Screen Excellence 15' acoustically transparent retractable screen. In a moment designed to thrill attendees, the screen will rise to reveal the HALO trio, allowing listeners to match what they hear with what they see.
But HALO is far more than looks. At its heart is cardioid bass technology, a feature that gives it precision control in ways conventional loudspeakers cannot match. Most speakers radiate bass energy in all directions, often creating boomy reflections and uneven low end in real-world rooms. HALO pushes low-frequency energy forward while minimizing output from the rear, reducing resonance and allowing bass to stay tight, articulate, and better integrated into the soundstage.
Inside the compact chassis lies a three-way system built for serious performance. A 10" coaxial midrange driver coupled with a 3" compression driver handles everything above 200 hertz with seamless speed and clarity. Surrounding them, six 8" woofers form the cardioid array, producing deep bass extension to 55 Hz while maintaining remarkable control. HALO is capable of 136 decibels of output at one meter, offering staggering headroom for cinematic dynamics. Despite that scale, the enclosure itself is compact, a far cry from the bulky footprint often associated with this level of performance.
Ascendo designed the HALO 10 PRO for use with DSP-controlled amplification, with recommended power ratings reaching into the thousands of watts for its woofers. Available in matte, high gloss, or carbon finishes, HALO doubles as a design statement, poised to fit effortlessly into modern residential or high-end commercial installations.
For those who want more than just a demo in Sound Room 7, Ascendo plans to have HALO on static display at Booth 4312, where company experts can dive into its technical underpinnings and show off its craftsmanship up close.
Geoffrey Heinzel, Co-Managing Partner of Ascendo, describes the design intent clearly: “With HALO, we set out to create a speaker that embodies the magic of our flagship Black Swan, but in a form that disappears both visually and sonically. The result is a speaker that does not just play music or movies, it vanishes, leaving only emotion, scale, and pure immersion.”
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