Cabasse Back box13ICD/13ICP
Complementary product
Overview
Installing a speaker in a suspended ceiling means entrusting its bass to a space no one has measured: a plenum a few centimetres deep or several cubic metres in volume, cluttered with insulation, conduits and rails. This back box fits behind an Archipel 13ICP or 13ICD and restores the sealed air volume for which its driver was designed. The sound no longer depends on what is hidden above the ceiling.
A sealed volume calibrated for the 13 cm driver
The mid-bass driver in an in-ceiling speaker works against the air behind it, and without an enclosure this volume varies from one installation to another: very limited between two joists, almost unlimited beneath a loft. The bass follows these variations, thinner here, less controlled there. The Archipel 13 models use 13 cm drivers designed for a small enclosure volume: the 13T15 IC in the 13ICP and the 13M20 IC in the 13ICD. The back box provides this sealed volume, optimised by Cabasse for these two models, and returns the driver to the conditions in which it was developed.
This consistency has a practical benefit: two speakers installed in the same ceiling, one above a partition wall and the other beneath a roof void, sound the same once fitted with their enclosures. In a multichannel system where several Archipel speakers play together, as surround channels or Dolby Atmos height speakers, consistency between sound sources matters as much as the quality of each speaker.
Dense, inert, moisture-resistant MDF
The enclosure is made from moisture-resistant MDF, a medium-density wood fibre panel treated to resist moisture. MDF is a common material in acoustics: uniform, with no wood grain or knots, it vibrates very little and adds no unwanted resonance to the speaker’s sound. The moisture-resistant treatment addresses the conditions in a ceiling void, where the air may be colder or more humid than in the room, with possible condensation beneath a roof or above a bathroom. Moisture-resistant does not mean waterproof: the panel withstands a humid environment, not water splashes or outdoor installation.
Less sound leakage into neighbouring rooms
An in-ceiling speaker radiates as much sound backwards as forwards, and in an open ceiling this rear wave travels through the plenum and escapes through spotlights, access hatches or lightweight partitions, reaching the next room or the floor above. The sealed enclosure contains a large part of it. It also protects the driver: mineral wool, plaster dust and debris accumulated above a ceiling can no longer settle on the cone or the crossover.
A shared model for the Archipel 13ICP and 13ICD
The two 13 cm speakers in the Archipel range share the same back box. The 13ICP pairs an adjustable DOM24 soft-dome tweeter with the 13T15 IC mid-bass driver; the 13ICD, a step up, places a DOM25 tweeter with a Kaladex diaphragm in front of a 13M20 IC mid-bass driver with a Duocell cone, with a coaxial configuration in both cases. The larger Archipel 17 models have their own back enclosure.
Installation to plan before closing up the ceiling
The back box is fitted behind the plasterboard, which requires access from the rear: a new build, renovation before the boards are fitted, a ceiling accessible from the loft or a partition wall that is still open. In a ceiling that is already closed with no access, feasibility depends on the height of the plenum and the structure, something to check with the installer before ordering. Professional installation is strongly recommended, both for secure mounting and for the quality of the finish around the cut-out. Routing the speaker cable into the enclosure should be planned at the same time as running the conduits.
Technical Specifications
Dimensions
- Outer diameter: 180 mm
- Depth: 95 mm
- Cut-out diameter: 155 mm
Specifications
- IP65 waterproof casing
- Compatible with Cabasse Archipel 13ICD, 13ICP speakers
- Material: High-strength ABS
- Color: White
Installation
- Screw and clamp mounting
- Pre-mounted sealing gasket
- Cable gland for cable passage
Usage Environment
- Indoor / outdoor
- Bathroom
- Covered terrace
- Poolside
- Humid areas
Certifications
- IP65 standard
- CE compliance
- UV resistance
Frequently asked questions
Can an Archipel 13 work without a back box?
Yes. The Archipel 13ICP and 13ICD are installed directly into the cutout and use the ceiling or partition cavity as their enclosure volume. The result varies depending on this volume, the insulation present and the surrounding structure. The back box eliminates this unknown; it is particularly worthwhile when several speakers need to sound identical, or when the plenum is very large or very congested.
Is a back box required for each speaker?
Yes, each speaker gets its own enclosure. For a pair of Archipel 13ICP or 13ICD speakers, you’ll need two back boxes.
Does the enclosure make the speaker suitable for use in a bathroom or on a patio?
No. Moisture-resistant MDF can withstand ambient humidity in a ceiling void, but neither the enclosure nor the Archipel 13 speakers are waterproof against splashes or designed for outdoor use. In a bathroom, they must be positioned away from areas exposed to water, which should be confirmed with the installer.
Does the back box soundproof the room above?
It reduces sound leakage by enclosing the speaker’s rear wave, but it does not replace sound insulation. Vibrations transmitted through the ceiling framework and sound passing through the plasterboard itself remain. For a home theater room next to a bedroom, ceiling treatment needs to be planned separately.
What’s the difference compared to the Archipel 13 mounting kit?
The two options complement each other without replacing one another. The mounting kit makes it easier to install Archipel 13 speakers in plasterboard in new builds. The back box affects the acoustics by providing an enclosed volume behind the speaker. A well-planned new build often combines both.
Will the bass be louder with the back box?
Not necessarily. A very large volume behind a speaker driver can produce fuller but less controlled bass, while too small a volume stifles it. The enclosure places the driver in the volume chosen during its development: the bass gains control and consistency rather than quantity.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
- Manufacturer reference: ACC0735
