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Atlantic Technology's FS-7.0 soundbar leaves nothing behind, crams all 7 surround audio channels into one cabinet
We were so intrigued to hear how much bass Atlantic Technology could squeeze from a small speaker with its H-PAS technology that we overlooked the company's passive FS-7.0 soundbar. That's right -- passive -- for the person who needs the compact footprint of a soundbar, but can't let go of the processing, signal switching and performance of a separate AV receiver. Atlantic Technology managed to squeeze enough drivers (and we assume speaker taps) into the 40-inch soundbar to handle all 7 audio channels; which might explain why there was no room left for a built-in amplifier. LCR audio is handled by three 1-inch tweets and a pair of 4x6-inch woofers along the front face, and the surround and rear surround audio is handled by the triple voice coil, 3.25-inch drivers on each side of the cabinet. The company PR assures that this arrangement creates spacious audio, and with all the surround audio coming from the front of the room, we're sure that's true -- but not necessarily good. More channels isn't necessarily better, but anyone with FS-7.0's $800 asking price (and maybe even $300 for the companion SB-800 sub) and an open mind is free to give us their impressions below.
Atlantic Technology, Solus/Clements team up to deliver big bass from small speakers
The pesky laws of physics being what they are, loudspeaker designers have typically been forced to optimize two features from the "bass extension / small cabinet / power efficiency" triad and stick the consumer with the result. Solus/Clements has been working on some clever design to bring a change to that balance, and Atlantic Technology is interested enough in the H-PAS (Hybrid Pressure Acceleration System) design to help license the technology to interested speaker manufacturers. CEDIA attendees will be able to check out the cabinet construction tech that promises to deliver lots of bass from small enclosures and drivers, without needing any special electronics or equalization. The H-PAS demo is certainly promising big -- two 4.5-inch drivers in a 1.4-cubic foot box reaching down to 29Hz at 105dB -- and we'd all love to get more bass from smaller boxes; bass quality is about more than a single low-frequency extension figure. Color us cautiously optimistic for great results in the fourth quarter of this year.
Atlantic Technology turns loose three new speaker systems, plus four subs
Talk about a lineup refresh, Atlantic Technology has pumped out three new speaker systems and thrown in a new set of subwoofers for good measure. The 1400, 2400, and 4400 systems each consist of two-way bookshelf-type speakers for L/R duties, a two-way mid-tweet-mid center channel, and a pair of surrounds that is switchable between bipole and dipole radiation. Oh, and don't forget you can add the recently-announced 1400 SR-z speakers for front-channel height effects. When bookshelf speakers are pressed into home theater duty, you just know a subwoofer can't be far behind -- in this case new SB-series powered subs. The updated 642e joins the 224, 334, and 444 SB subs all pack long-throw woofers into sealed boxes for the boom. Prices range from $1,680 to $3,800 for the systems; hit those links for more details and specs.Read - new Atlantic Technology systems Read - System 1400 details Read - System 2400 details Read - System 4400 details Read - SB series subwoofers
Atlantic Technology's 1400 SR-z speakers aim for the high notes
No strangers to switchable bipole/dipole speakers, Atlantic Technology has jumped into the Dolby ProLogic IIz fray with the 1400 SR-z speakers. If the inclusion of a 'z' right in the name isn't enough to tell you that these will work with the Dolby wizardry to make your ceiling disappear, then the compact form factor will at least get you thinking about the idea. The pair of 3.5-inch drivers in each speaker are switchable between bipole and dipole dispersion, however, which should make these a fine choice for just about any surround speaker location. Look for them in the last half of May with an MSRP of $425 per pair, which sounds a little pricey to us for channels that don't need much bandwidth, but imagine what these might do with the overblown "stadium" surround mode on your receiver.
Atlantic Technology ships its NetStreams-enabled in-wall speakers
Atlantic Technology may not have hit the initially-promised Q4 2008 launch for its NetStreams-enabled in-wall speakers, but given the housing slump, that's probably just fine. The three new models -- IWTS-4 LCR-IP, IWTS-7 LCR-IP and IWTS-14 LCR-IP are ready to go now, and just as promised, they can switch hit between standard analog hookup and a NetStreams connection that will keep things digital right up to the cones; to take advantage of the 50-Watts of biamplification built into each speaker, though, you'll need to spring for the NetStreams hookup. Yours for $250, $325 or $450 each depending on whether you opt for the IWTS-4, IWTS-7 or IWTS-14; and don't forget to budget about $60 more for the grilles and frames on the two top-end models.
Atlantic Technology pumps out new in-wall speaker, subwoofer
Judging by the barrage of speaker announcements of late, it's easy to see that CEDIA is just around the bend. The latest outfit to dish out news of its new lineup is Atlantic Technology. Best known for its in-wall speakers, the firm is offering up a new THX-certified unit (the IWTS-155 LCR) that can mount either horizontally or vertically into a standard 2x4 wall cavity. The speaker features twin 5.25-inch long-throw cone woofers and a 1-inch soft-dome tweeter, and it'll be available for shipment in Q4 for $750. Additionally, the company is introducing the IWTS-28 SUB, an in-wall subbie that packs dual 8-inch drivers and can be paired with an optional 180-watt SA-180 monoblock amplifier. Unfortunately, no price for it was given, but don't expect it to be cheap.
Atlantic Technology hooks up with NetStreams
When it comes to whole-home audio systems, the idea of using IP transmission is attractive -- the cabling and fine-grained control satisfy our inner geek on so many levels. Atlantic Technology is hoping its in-wall speakers will be a natural fit for this market, and has made its IWTS-4, IWTS-7 and IWTS-14 LCR models NetStreams compatible to fill the niche (and the holes in your walls). If you're not quite ready to spring for a full NetStreams system with all of its digital wizardry -- digital EQ and bi-amplification courtesy SpeakerLinX amps -- no worries, these speakers can also be hooked up to an old timey conventional analog audio signal. Expect these to ship in Q4 of this year for a yet-unannounced price.
Atlantic Technology intros THX-certified IWTS-30 LCR in-wall speaker
Atlantic Technology, which was busy showing off an array of in-wall speakers at CES, is now replacing its IWTS-20 LCR with an all new flagship: the IWTS-30 LCR THX Ultra2 Certified in-wall loudspeaker. Designed for use as the left, right and center channel, this unit is declared by its CEO as the "best sounding in-wall [it] has ever made, and it makes no apologies for being an in-wall." Mr. Peter Tribeman continues on to say that he knows of "no other architectural solutions that deliver this kind of performance and flexibility at anywhere near this price point." Regardless of hype, the unit itself uses the company's exclusive Low Resonance Tweeter (LRT) along with a single 8-inch GLH (Graphite Loaded Homopolymer) woofer and two 3.5-inch GLH midrange drivers. Of course, you wouldn't expect such an exalted speaker to come without a princely price tag, so we suppose we're not too shocked by the $1,250 (each) sticker.
Atlantic Technology showing off THX in-wall speakers
Along with the rise in custom home theater installations, in-wall speaker performance has come a long way in the past years. At CES, Atlantic Technology will be showing off its latest entry to the field, the IWCB-727. The name comes from "in wall, closed-box," a sure sign that these speakers are designed for higher performance than open-backed wall mounted speakers (as confirmed by their THX qualification). The company has put their Low Resonance Tweeter (LRT) in, which allows them to extend the tweeter crossover well into the midrange, to help smooth out the response -- a good thing for a speaker that's on a wall-sized baffle. And to make sure the sound is "just so," additional tech has been tossed in as well. Directional Vector Control electronically "steers" the tweeter into the room, and Boundary compensation takes care of midrange coloration caused by an adjacent wall or ceiling. Available Q2 2008 at $1200 each.
