Chario Constellation Pegasus MK2 (pack of 2)

A flagship of the Constellation range from Italian manufacturer Chario, the Pegasus floorstanding speaker embodies the perfect blend of traditional craftsmanship and acoustic innovation. This 3-way speaker stands out with its unique configuration featuring a downward-firing woofer and NRS (Near Reflective Surface) technology, which optimizes low-frequency reproduction. With a sound signature that is both warm and precise, the Pegasus delivers a natural tonal balance that suits all musical genres, supported by a construction using premium materials that reflects the excellence of Italian know-how.

Innovative Acoustic Architecture

The Constellation Pegasus adopts a carefully orchestrated 3-way configuration. On the front, there is a 38 mm soft dome tweeter with a 60° dispersion angle, ensuring precise treble reproduction without harshness. This tweeter is complemented by a 160 mm mid/bass driver with a paper composite cone, also positioned on the front panel.

The originality of this speaker lies in its third transducer: a 160 mm woofer facing the floor and equipped with a bass-reflex port. This unusual setup allows for omnidirectional (360°) dispersion of low frequencies and significantly reduces placement constraints within the listening room.

The crossover frequencies are set at 170 Hz and 1500 Hz, with a 4th-order LKR filter ensuring a smooth transition between the different frequency ranges. This architecture enables the Pegasus to reach down to 45 Hz in the bass while maintaining remarkable coherence across the entire sound spectrum.

NRS Technology: A Unique Approach to Low Frequencies

The NRS (Near Reflective Surface) system is one of the major innovations of the Constellation Pegasus. This technology cleverly leverages the proximity between the support surface and the transducer structure to amplify performance in the bass range.

In practical terms, this principle doubles acoustic efficiency in the lows, generating a 3 dB gain in sound pressure level for the same distortion. Since the cone excursion is halved to achieve this result, distortion is significantly reduced, delivering cleaner and better-defined bass.

NRS technology is specifically designed to reproduce frequencies between 50 Hz and 170 Hz, precisely covering the first eighth of the audio spectrum. This approach not only extends the frequency response down to 45 Hz but also relieves the front woofer, allowing it to focus on the mid-bass range with greater precision.

Sound Signature and Musical Versatility

The Pegasus’s sound signature is true to Italian tradition, favoring emotional reproduction without sacrificing resolution and detail. Its tonal balance is carefully calibrated to create an immediate connection with the listener, offering a warm yet uncolored sound.

Listening reviews highlight a natural, luminous midrange paired with solid, well-present bass. The treble, slightly more restrained than some more analytical speakers, contributes to fatigue-free listening during long sessions.

Like its mythological namesake, the Pegasus is “powerful when needed and gentle when required,” adapting effortlessly to all musical genres. This remarkable versatility is accompanied by a wide soundstage and precise stereo imaging, allowing you to rediscover your favorite recordings in a new light.

Italian Craftsmanship and Build Quality

True to the Italian reputation for design excellence, the Constellation Pegasus boasts flawless construction that combines premium materials with artisanal expertise. The cabinet is made from high-density fiberboard (HDF) panels paired with solid walnut, ensuring both structural rigidity and visual elegance.

Available finishes include natural walnut or, depending on the version, cherry or lacquer (matte or glossy) options. The side panels are not simply veneered but made from solid wood, demonstrating a level of quality rarely seen in this price range.

The gold-plated binding posts are protected by a transparent cage and insulated by two O-rings and a resin plate for total isolation. These design details are not just aesthetic—they also help optimize acoustic performance by minimizing unwanted vibrations and resonances.

Technical Specifications

Design and Architecture

• Type: 3-way floorstanding speaker
• Design philosophy:
  • Musical versatility: controlled power and expressive finesse
  • Perfect integration into any listening setup
  • Visual and functional harmony serving performance

Drivers and Transducers

• Transducer configuration:
• Tweeter: 1 x 38 mm (soft dome)
  • Tweeter: 60° controlled directivity for optimal precision
• Front woofer: 1 x 170 mm (paper composite cone)
• Down-firing woofer: 1 x 170 mm facing the floor (paper composite cone)
  • Woofer: 360° omnidirectional dispersion

Acoustic Technologies

• Bass-reflex system:
  • Down-firing woofer designed to lighten the load on the front woofer
  • Bass extension down to 45 Hz
  • Reduced mechanical stress on main transducers
• NRS Technology (Near Reflective Surface):
  • Utilizes the nearby surface to enhance bass response
  • Optimal reproduction of frequencies from 50 Hz to 170 Hz
  • Doubled acoustic efficiency (3 dB sound pressure level gain for the same distortion)
  • Reduced cone excursion to limit distortion
• Construction and isolation:
  • Speaker stands covered with transparent plastic protection
  • Two O-rings and a rubber plate for complete isolation
  • Reduced unwanted vibrations and mechanical coupling to the floor

Sound Performance

• Frequency range:
  • Extended bass down to 45 Hz (-3 dB compared to C4 WETS)
  • NRS bandwidth: 50 Hz to 170 Hz
• Crossover frequencies: 170 / 1500 Hz - 4th order LKR
• Sensitivity: 90 dB sound pressure level / normalized at 1 m / 2.83 Vrms
  • Decoupled L/R measurement
  • Pink noise compliant with ITU-R BS 1116-1 standard in listening room
• Nominal impedance: 4 Ω module (min 3.0), argument ± 36°

Acoustic Advantages

• Expansive and immersive soundstage
  • Superior tonal coherence
  • Powerful dynamics without listening fatigue
  • High efficiency with low distortion
  • Designed for longevity and stability

Physical Characteristics

• Materials: solid walnut and high-density fiberboard
• Dimensions: 1030 x 230 x 370 mm (H x W x D)
• Weight: 26 kg

Installation Recommendations

• Speaker orientation: angled inward toward the listener
• Listening distance: optimal speaker-to-listener distance > 3 m
• Side and rear walls: minimum distance of 1 m from the front of the speaker
• Recommended amplification: maximum average power of 140 W / 4 Ω