in-ceiling
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Aperion's new Intimus speakers look to stand out while blending in
Just about everybody's hopping in on the in-wall/in-ceiling bandwagon, and as much as audio purists might chortle at the product sector, adding speaker cabinets to keep up with the ever-growing number of surround channels will soon force everyone but the "sweet spot" listener right out of the living room. For those who would rather have flesh and blood (as opposed to MDF) friends soaking up the latest movie with them, Aperion Audio has added in-wall (6-IW) and in-ceiling (6-IC) variants to its Intimus speaker lineup. These new models seem to hold up the value proposition that makes Aperion so popular -- for $149 (each) you get a 6.5-inch woofer and silk dome tweet (both drivers aimable) and tone controls for tailoring the sound to your room.
Jamo launches 18 in-wall speakers across its Custom 400- and 600-series lineups
If you're trying to stay on top of the ever-increasing number of speakers used in the latest surround audio schemes -- Dolby ProLogic IIz moves the count to 9-channels plus a sub (or two) -- in-wall speakers start to look really attractive. Jamo has rolled out its 400- and 600-series Custom speakers for those running out of room, and with 18 SKUs spread out over in-wall and in-ceiling options, there's bound to be a few that fit your needs. With that kind of menu, we'll let you hit the link to find the right speakers for you, but all speakers get Jamo's Decoupled Tweeter Technology, Hard Conical Cones and WaveGuide technologies; and magnetic paintable grilles will help keep things looking tidy. Spring for the 600-series, and you'll also get treated to silk dome tweeters. Pricing spans a relatively affordable range of $299 to $899.
ELAN kicks off its Elios architectural speaker line with 19 models
ELAN Home Systems is bringing a classic formula to its new Elios lineup of 19(!) in-wall and in-ceiling speakers: innovative construction, new materials and "voicing" by ear. The easy-to-use drywall clamping system and baffles that can be aimed to direct sound into the listening area are nice, but don't really get our non-installer blood pumping. The metallic nano coating used on the tweeters that promises to combine the strengths of both soft dome and metallic drivers, however, does sound interesting. Top this all off with designs that incorporate actual listening during development (as opposed to simulated in a computer), and these speakers might just warrant a listen if you're shopping for some in-wall/ceiling speakers. With 19 models (for now) and prices ranging from $200 - $1,500 per pair, there's probably something that will fit your requirements; pity there's no THX certification at the expensive end of the range, though.
Tannoy's CVS4 Micro speaker puts some Dual Concentric tech above your head
The small footprint and point-source radiation of a concentric driver setup (tweeter mounted on the dust cap of a mid/woofer) make a lot of sense for installed use, so it's no surprise to see Tannoy -- a longtime proponent of its Dual Concentric drivers -- would use the technology for its CVS4 Micro in-ceiling speaker. The 0.75-inch tweeter is paired up with a 4-inch bass unit in a can-type enclosure for easy in-ceiling installation, even in low clearance installs. Better still, these you can feed these either 70V or 110V and everything will be ok thanks to the built in transformer. Bad news for the bassheads, though -- the low end only reaches to 90Hz.
Revel adds subwoofer, new in-walls to Concerta speaker lineup
High-end speaker manufacturer Revel (part of Harman International) has added a few more speakers to its Concerta line with the addition of the B120 subwoofer, IC6T2 in-ceiling speaker and IW80 in-wall speaker. Sure, the B120's 250-Watt amp can move the 12-inch driver through can move 1.5-inches, but emphasis is given to the optional TX1 wireless transmitter, which will keep the install stealthy when paired with the in-ceiling or in-wall speakers. The IC6T2 pumps out stereo sound from a single enclosure with a single 6.5-inch woofer flanked by a pair of 0.75-inch tweeters. More appropriate for a HT install, though, is the IW80 with its 8-inch woofer and 1-inch tweeter spanning 40Hz all the way up to 40kHz. Coming from Revel, we expect great sound, but don't count on the company's definition of "affordable" to match up with our own; and the lack of pricing info probably backs this up. Read - Revel B120 subwoofer Read - IC6T2 and IW80 speakers
Earthquake Sound launches SweetSpot in-ceiling speakers
If the THX badge on Klipsch's announced in-ceiling speakers moved them out of your price range, the new SweetSpot lineup from Earthquake Sound might be a better fit. Based on the company's name alone, you might think it only produced subwoofers; not so, dear reader. The SS-82W and SS-62W in-ceiling models boast 8- and 6-inch drivers, respectively, and promise to keep the sound focused rather than spraying it everywhere like some other in-ceiling solutions. We'll give credit for this to the angled baffle and swiveling 1-inch tweeter and leave aside the fact that a tightly focused delivery might negatively impact surround channel performance. There are also tonal adjustments for the mid-bass and treble to help dial in performance. Claimed response covers 30Hz - 30kHz, and the SS-82W is available for $399 per speaker (no pricing info yet on the SS-62W).
Klipsch intros THX Ultra2 in-ceiling speakers
Not content with just giving you those IC-T drivers, Klipsch has busted out a new duo in its in-ceiling lineup, both of which proudly boast THX Ultra2 certification. Aimed at high-end users looking for high-end surrounds, the KL-7502-THX and KS-7502-THX models both feature dual 5.25-inch Cerametallic woofers that operate in an enclosed tuned-port chamber and at least a single 1-inch titanium tweeter. Better hope your bank account is pretty padded before ordering yourself a set, however, as these buggers are priced at a cool $1,000 apiece.
Control4 intros new line of in-wall / in-ceiling speakers at EHX
Although Control4 is best known for its home automation kit, the firm is using the spotlight at EHX to show off a new line of multi-room speakers. The 6.5- and 8-inch In-Ceiling and In-Wall Speakers (and In-Ceiling Stereo Speakers) all sport a two-way design, and they'll all play nice with the outfit's Wi-Fi Speaker Point, too. As for the drivers, they feature dual polymer cones, silk dome (pivoting) tweeters and rubber surrounds; hit up your dealer this summer if you're down with paying between $199 and $399 per pair.
