SpeakerCraft Unveils 46 For '06
By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 10/9/2006
Riverside, Calif. — Speakercraft has launched 46 new products, including an expanded AIM series of aimable architectural speakers, its first enclosed architectural speakers, and a tweaked series of motorized in-ceiling speakers.
The AIM series, which features pivoting tweeters and pivoting baffles, expands from about a half-dozen SKUs to about 20. The new models include the series' first in-wall home theater models, including switchable bipole/dipole models for surround applications. The series also adds in-ceiling round bipole/dipole models and single-speaker stereo models. Prices range from $299 to $1,599/pair.
The company's first enclosed in-ceiling and in-wall speakers feature metal back boxes that attach to a standard bracketing system, offer 2.75-inch mounting depth, and include in-ceiling and in-wall models.
The motorized in-ceiling speakers, called TIME, are intended to compensate for less-than-ideal mounting locations by aiming the sound toward listeners. Each round speaker's cylindrical enclosure extends from the ceiling, and their baffles angle up at 15, 30 or 45 degrees. The baffles also rotate up to 260 degrees. The speakers can be programmed to move into three preset positions via a $400 controller, which controls up to eight speakers. Though they were unveiled last year, the models have since been tweaked to improve voicing and operate quietly. Three models are priced at $350, $650, and $850 each and ship in six weeks.
Also new:
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a $1,300 six-source, four-zone multiroom audio controller, joining step-up models at $2,400 and $4,800. They are compatible with the new $400 MODE in-wall keypad with volume-control knob, clickwheel, and scrolling menu appearing on a 3.5-inch color display. MODE is intended to offer touchpanel simplicity at lower prices;
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a new outdoor speaker line called Outdoor Elements. Eight models include two single-speaker stereo models at $275 and $375 each. The other six are priced from $325 to $625/pair; and
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the first on-wall speakers in its high-performance Tantra series of architectural speakers
The five on-wall Tantra SKUs, designed to complement flat-panel TVs, was shown last year but began shipping in August in final form with wall brackets. The company offers optional floor and table stands.
Tantra on-walls, available in black or silver aluminum, include two LCRs and one “Triple LCR,” designed to reproduce three front channels from one cabinet at $600 each. Other Tantra on-walls range from $200 to $600 each.
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